- Mandatory Compliance: The domestic electric storage and instantaneous type of water heaters to be marketed and sold within the country must be IS 15558:2005 compliant.
- Safety Requirements: Deals with electrical safety, protection against electric shock, overheating, and pressure.
- Performance Standards: Defines criteria regarding the heating performance and energy consumption.
- Quality & Durability: These cover the need for correct product assembly, the corrosion-resistance of the storage tanks, as well as the quality
- Testing & ISI Mark: Such products are required to be tested in BIS-accredited labs, after which only the manufacturers are allowed to put the ISI mark on the products.
Introduction
BIS Certification for Drinking Water Heaters according to IS 15558: 2005 is aimed at ensuring that all water heaters, which are otherwise imported, function in accordance with set standards of quality, functionality, and safety. ISI Mark is basically the result of various tests to which the products are subjected, in labs recognized by BIS, to check for parameters such as electrical safety, energy conservation, and ISI mark, which signifies certifications for quality, safety, and performance. ISI Mark is also a measure to promote imported products.
What is IS15558:2005?
IS 15558:2005 is an Indian Standard publication by the Bureau of Indian Standards that defines water heaters’ safety, quality, and performance requirements for domestic electric water heaters.This standard applies to electric storage and instant water heaters and includes the provisions regarding the electric safety, protection against overheating and pressure, construction quality, energy performance, and durability of the water heaters. This standard is compulsory to be followed in India, and electric water heaters complying with IS 15558:2005 are eligible to bear the “ISI Mark.”
Key Points:
- Indian Standard: Released by the Bureau of Indian Standards, this standard is applicable to domestic electric water heaters.
- Product Scope: This standard shall apply to domestic electric storage and instantaneous water heaters.
- Security Provisions: It includes protection against shock electricity, overheating, pressure buildup, and fire hazards.
- Performance Requirements: Stipulates criteria for heating efficiency, temperature regulation, and energy performance.
- Mandatory Certification: Mandatory certification is obligatory in India, and certified products are allowed to display the “ISI” mark.
Why is BIS Certification Mandatory
BIS certification is the only way to ensure that the goods being sold in the Indian market are well within the standards laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regarding safety, quality, and performance. It saves consumers from low-quality and unsafe products for consumption or use, provides better consistency in quality, ensures that regulatory requirements have been met, and enhances confidence in markets through the ISI mark-a seal of reliability, safety, and legal acceptance within the Indian market.
Key Reasons:
- Consumer Safety: The products must adhere to certain safety requirements that ensure minimum health and life hazard.
- Quality Assurance: Ensures quality, performance, and durability of the product in accordance with Indian Standards.
- Legal Compliance: Mandatory as failure to comply will result in fines, confiscation of the products, or prohibition of the market.
- Market Trust: The ISI mark helps to increase consumer trust.
- Fair Trade Practices: Ensures that products of poor quality are not sold and that healthy competition prevails.
Importance and Benefits of BIS Certification
| Importance | Benefits |
| Ensures Consumer Safety. It safeguards the consumer against goods that are dangerous, defective, or of poor standards. | Increased Consumer Trust:The ISI mark is a kind of assurance given by the consumer that the product is safe, of high quality, and reliable. |
| Guarantees Product Quality: Ensures compliance with the standards of quality in India. | Legal Market Access: Assists producers in making legal sales of their products in the Indian market without facing any legal problems. |
| Legal Mandate for India:Mandatory for the prescribed products to prevent fines, bans, or lawsuits. | Quality Consistency : Ensures standardized manufacturing and quality performance. |
| Establishes Market Credibility: The ISI mark enhances consumer confidence and market acceptability. | Competitive Advantage: Greater acceptability of certified products in the marketplace. |
| Prevents Sub-Standard Imports: It regulates sub-standard domestic as well as imported products in the Indian market. | Reduced Risk & Liability: Limits defective product, complaints, recalls, and legal liability. |
Step-by-Step Process of BIS Certification
Step1:Documentation
- Collect required technical documents
- Prepare product specifications
- Gather company registration details
- Ensure documents follow BIS format
Step2:Product Testing
- Send samples to a BIS-approved lab
- Conduct safety and quality tests
- Receive test reports
- Confirm compliance with BIS standards
Step3:Application Submission
- Fill out the BIS application form
- Upload all required documents
- Attach valid test reports
- Pay the necessary BIS fees
Step4:Scrutiny and Inspection
- BIS reviews submitted documents
- Authority verifies test results
- Factory/product inspection may occur
- Clarifications requested if needed
Step5:Grant of License
- BIS approves the application
- License number is issued
- Product can carry BIS mark
- Renewal required before expiry
Documents Required for BIS Certification
| Category | Documents Required |
| Business Documents | Business license/registration, ISO certificate, organizational details |
| Manufacturer Details | Factory layout, process flow chart, machinery list, production details |
| Product Documents | Product specifications, component list, user manual, model details |
| Testing Documents | Test report from BIS-recognized lab, sample details, test request form |
| Legal & Compliance | Authorization letter, brand ownership proof, trademark certificate (if any) |
| Import/Foreign Manufacturer (If applicable) | AIR (Authorized Indian Representative) details, contract agreement, overseas manufacturer documents |
Timelines, Costs, Validity & Renewal
- Timelines: Usually from 20 to 30 days, with only 7-15 days for the testing.
- Costs: The cost of the government and the test varies depending on the product. There can be some additional charges though.
- Validity: The validity period is 2 years in most situations.
- Renewal: The renewal is done before the expiration; there should be updated documents/tests; the renewal
Why Choose Diligence Certifications
Diligence Certifications is a respected compliance advisory service that provides complete support services for BIS certification in India. They assist manufacturing companies right from documentation processes to testing coordination services for a smooth and hassle-free certification experience. Diligence Certifications helps businesses gain compliance at an affordable cost through proper compliance strategy services. They assist businesses in gaining compliance through compliance strategy, when they face issues while dealing with BIS certification processes.
Conclusion
The role of BIS certification for product safety and compliance cannot be underestimated when it comes to the Indian marketplace. The primary reason for such requirements and compliances to exist and be promoted and applied in the Indian marketplace is to shield its customers from substandard goods and materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is IS 15558:2005?
The ‘IS 15558:2005’ is an Indian Standard which has been published by the ‘Bureau of Indian Standards.’ This standard lays down requirements under ‘Safety, Quality, and Performance’ of ‘Domestic Electric Water Heaters.’
Is the BIS certification mandatory for the water heaters being sold in the Indian market?
“Yes, BIS certification complying with IS 15558: 2005 is mandatory for electric storage and instantaneous water heaters sold in India.”
What type of water heater is the standard applying to?
The standard covers both conventional electric storage hot water heaters and instantaneous electric hot water heaters.
What are the key safety requirements under IS 15558:2005?
It includes protection against electric shock, overheating, excessive pressure, fire hazards, and safe electrical insulation.
What tests to be conducted for BIS certification of water heaters?
The products are checked for electrical safety, heating, power, consumption, temperature, insulation resistance, and durability standards by BIS recognized labs.
What does ISI Mark mean and what significance does it hold?
ISI Mark stands for ‘Indian Standards An ISI mark means the product is safe and the standards laid by the BIS are followed, and such a product is eligible to be marketed in India.
What is the duration for getting BIS certification?
The overall process will require around 20 to 30 days, depending upon the time required for testing the product, verification of documents, and the level of inspection needed. Is BIS Certification.
What is the duration for getting BIS certification?
The overall process will require around 20 to 30 days, depending upon the time required for testing the product, verification of documents, and the level of inspection needed. Is BIS Certification.
What is the validity of BIS certification for water heaters?
BIS License is granted normally for up to 2 years and may be renewed before the date of expiry.
What happens if a water heater is sold without BIS certification?
Apart from this, selling without certification can result in penalties, product seizure, market bans, and legal actions under the BIS Act.
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