- Ensures Compliance with Safety Standards:BIS certification ensures that the retro reflective devices conform to the requirements of IS/ISO 6742 (Part 2): 2015 and are optimally visible and safe, particularly for bicycle users and road users traveling at night.
- Improves Night-Time Visibility :The specification ensures a minimum retro reflective characteristic to enable these devices to effectively reflect light from vehicle headlights, thus preventing accidents and promoting road safety.
- Defines Material and Performance Requirements :BIS certification for retro-reflective devices guarantees the degree of reflectivity, durability, color, and resistance to environmental factors like rain, dust, and temperature.
- Mandatory for Market Approval in India :The manufacturers or importers need BIS certification to legally market retro reflective devices in India, adhering to domestic safety and quality standards.
- Builds Trust and Product Reliability :Devices that are BIS certified and thus bear the ISI mark on them guarantee consumers, producers, and authorities that the devices are safe for use on the road.

Introduction
The BIS certification of the retro-reflective devices ensures that they conform to the standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (IS/ISO 6742/Part 2:2015) with regards to quality. It is to be noted that retro-reflective devices are major safety products that are primarily used on bicycles and other road equipment to ensure safety by keeping the road equipment visible, especially during nighttime. It reflects the lighting coming from headlights of vehicles back to the original source, thereby providing safety to the road users by keeping them visible.
What is IS 6742:2015?
IS/ISO 6742 (part 2): 2015 is an Indian standard issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It defines the requirements for technical specifications related to retro reflective devices on bicycles. It is an adopted standard in alignment with the International standard ISO 6742-2. The retro reflective devices on bicycles play an important role in increasing the visibility of the bicycles, especially during night or low-light conditions, by reflecting the light emitted by the headlamps of vehicles.
Key Points:
- Specifies Requirements for Retro-Reflective Devices:IS/ISO 6742 (Part 2): 2015 specifies the technical and performance requirements for retroreflective devices used on bicycles for improving visibility.
- Ensures proper reflective performance:The standard introduces minimum photometric values, which enable the devices to reflect light from headlamps in vehicles, thereby making the bicycles visible at night or in low-light conditions.
- Covers Design and Material Quality:It also contains design, color, construction, and material quality specifications to guarantee its longevity, dependability, and reflection properties.
- Includes testing and durability requirements :Testing methods and resistance requirements are also outlined by the standard with respect to environmental factors like rain, dust, temperature changes, and mechanical stress.
- Forming the Basis for BIS Certification However, compliance with IS/ISO 6742 (Part 2): 2015 is required for BIS certification, which is essential for the manufacturer to use the ISI mark and sell retroreflective devices in India.
Why is BIS Certification Mandatory
BIS certification for retro reflective devices is a must to ensure that the devices conform to the safety, quality, and performance criteria established by the IS/ISO 6742 (Part 2): 2015 specifications. The devices are of vital importance for providing increased visibility to bicycles and other vehicles during night and unfavorable light hours. The devices need to be certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to ensure the reflection of light from the device, which is primarily essential for preventing road accidents.
Key Reasons:
- Ensures Road Safety Compliance:BIS certification of retro-reflective devices guarantees the provision of sufficient visibility in conditions of poor light and night, thereby reducing the number of road accidents and ensuring the safety of cyclists.
- Prevents Sale of Substandard Products:Mandatory certification ensures that only quality tested and standard compliant retro-reflective devices are available in the Indian market.
- Confirms Compliance with Indian Standards:It ensures that the product has satisfied all technological requirements set by IS/ISO 6742 (Part 2): 2015.
- Required for Legal Sale in India: Manufacturers and importers need BIS certification for legally manufacturing, importing, or selling retro-reflective devices in India.
- Builds Consumer Trust and Reliability: By acquiring BIS certification, the product gets to carry the ISI mark. This ensures consumer safety and efficacy, as it is approved by national quality standards.
Importance and Benefits of BIS Certification
| Importance | Benefits |
| Enhanced Road Safety:With the certification, the efficiency of the retro reflective devices will always be guaranteed, thereby ensuring the visibility of the devices and the prevention of accidents during night hours or at low light. | Legal Market Access :BIS certification enables manufacturers and importers to legally market retroreflective products in India. |
| Ensures Standardized Product Quality:It ensures that the device conforms to set criteria on quality, reflectivity, and durability as specified by IS/ISO 6742 (Part 2): 2015. | Use of ‘ISI Mark’:Such products, after being certified, can bear the ISI mark, which provides guarantees of quality, safety, and conformity with the country’s standards. |
| Supports Regulatory Compliance :This makes it easy for them to comply with BIS standards, and they get clearance for the sale of their product in the country. | Increases Customer Trust :BIS-certified products are reliable and trustworthy for consumers, the government, and buyers, etc., owing to their quality and performance |
| Prevents Use of Low-Quality Products: With BIS certification, safety and efficacy are promoted through tested and certified retro reflective devices. | Improves Product Credibility: The certification also improves a company’s reputation and shows its commitment to quality and safety. |
| Promotes Consistency and Reliability : It ensures uniform manufacturing and product consistency among different manufacturers. | Competitive Advantage in the Market :Competitive advantage in Products which are BIS certified receive a boost in government bids and business prospects |

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 Certification is a reliable consultancy company that offers a full range of services for obtaining BIS certification for retro reflective devices. Diligence Certification is well aware of the rules and regulations stated in the BISnorms and the respective International Standard i.e., IS/ISO 6742 (Part 2): 2015. Their team is highly experienced in the field of BIS Certification for the above-said devices.
Conclusion
BIS Certification for Retro-Reflective Devices for IS/ISO 6742 (Part 2): 2015 is a must, and the devices are important in enhancing safety, quality, and compliance with Indian standards. These devices are important in ensuring the safety of a large number of road users, particularly cyclists, through the enhancement of their visibility, mainly during night hours and other conditions of poor light.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the BIS certification for retro-reflective devices?
It is a certification issued by BIS that recognizes retro-reflective devices meet safety and quality standards under IS/ISO 6742 [Part 2]: 2015.
What do retro-reflective devices do?
They are used mainly on bicycles for reflecting light from vehicle headlamps to improve visibility under night conditions.
Is it necessary to have BIS certification for retro-reflective devices?
Yes, the product needs BIS certification to prove that it confirms Indian safety and quality standards.
Which standard applies to retro-reflective devices?
The applicable standard is IS/ISO 6742 (Part 2): 2015.
Who issues BIS certification in India?
Thus, BIS certification is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards, which is the official authority.
What is the ISI mark?
The presence of the ISI mark shows that the product has met the BIS standards and has been certified for safety and quality.
Who needs to obtain BIS certification?
The devices containing retro reflective need to be certified through BIS before they are sold in India.
What are the necessary tests for BIS certification?
The products are tested based on their reflectivity, durability, color, and environmental resistance as per the standard.
What are the benefits of BIS certification?
It ensures legal compliance, enhances product quality, and helps build customer trust.
How long does BIS certification take?
The process takes a few weeks to a few months, depending on documentation and testing compliance.
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