New Delhi [India], July 18: India’s dynamic and fast-growing market is bustling with innovations in all sectors like electronics, electricals, telecom, and household products. Moreover, with rising consumer awareness and stronger emphasis being laid on energy efficiency and sustainability, the Indian government and statutory regulatory bodies have made product certification a non-negotiable aspect for businesses in the Indian market. Whether it’s a smart appliance, a wireless gadget, or a component of industrial equipment, products being regulated and made accessible to the consumers in the market today must meet regulatory standards like BIS (ISI & CRS), BIS Scheme X, BEE, WPC, TEC, LMPC, and EPR before reaching Indian shelves.
For manufacturers, importers, and global brands trying to enter and smoothly operate in this booming market economy, the compliance requirements can often feel overwhelming. That’s where Brand Liaison steps in, as a service provider, along with being a trusted certification partner. With deep industry knowledge and expertise, and a decade of hands-on experience, Brand Liaison ensures comprehensive support to businesses.
Let’s explore how Brand Liaison, as a top-trusted compliance management consultancy firm, helps overcome compliance challenges and ensures your products meet all regulatory requirements with ease.
Essential Product Certifications for the Indian Market Whether you’re launching consumer electronics, telecom devices, energy-consuming appliances, wireless-based products, or various other types of goods in the market, for smooth operation, Indian regulations demand adherence to several technical and safety standards. Some key certifications mandatory for the Indian market, and being thoroughly assisted by Brand Liaison, include: 1. BIS Certification BIS is a quality assurance certification, granted for a variety of products in the Indian market. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s national body that ensures products meet quality and safety benchmarks. Under BIS, there are three major certification schemes: ISI Mark Certification: This is required for products like cement, steel, pressure cookers, electrical wires, and other critical items. The ISI mark assures people that the product abides by the Indian safety and performance standards.
CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme): This covers everyday electronic and IT products like LED bulbs, mobile phones, power banks, and TVs. Before they are allowed to be sold, these products must be tested in BIS-approved labs.
BIS Scheme X Certification: Some products, such as low-voltage switchgear, control gear products, and industrial chemicals, are to be registered for a Scheme X Certification under BIS.
2. BEE Certification BEE certification is an energy-efficiency assuring registration, meant for the notified energy-consuming appliances in the market. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is under the Ministry of Power, established to encourage energy conservation by regulating energy-consuming appliances that use less power while also delivering promising optimal performance.
There is a 5-star rating scheme of BEE that offers the star rating label to energy-consuming appliances based on their energy efficiency. More stars on an appliance indicate more energy efficiency. If you’re making or importing appliances like fans, geysers, or air conditioners, BEE certification is a must.
3. TEC Certification If your product connects to a telecom network like a router, modem, switch, or IoT (Internet of Things) device, it falls under TEC’s MTCTE program (Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment).
The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) ensures these devices are safe, secure, and compatible with Indian networks. It’s a mandatory requirement for businesses dealing with telecommunication products in the Indian market.
4. WPC ETA Approval Selling wireless gadgets that are Wi-Fi or BT (Bluetooth)-enabled, like Bluetooth speakers, smartwatches, etc., requires a WPC ETA (Equipment Type Approval) from the WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) Wing.
This approval or certification, as it is commonly called, confirms that the wireless-based devices use only government-approved, license-free frequency bands and don’t interfere with other signals. Without an ETA license, such products can get stuck at customs or face legal hurdles in the Indian market.
5. EPR Authorisation Today’s market is not just about innovation—it’s also about responsibility. If a business entering the Indian market deals in products that create environmental waste, like electronics, batteries, or plastic packaging, they’ll need to register under EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
EPR ensures that producers take utmost responsibility for the end-to-end lifespan of their products and of what happens to these after consumer use. Whether it’s recycling e-waste, collecting used batteries, or reducing pollution through appropriate disposal and reuse of the waste, EPR Authorisation is a commitment to a cleaner planet.
There are three major EPR categories: • E-Waste: For items like mobile phones, computers, and accessories • Plastic Waste: For brands using plastic packaging or selling plastic goods • Battery Waste: For any business selling lithium-ion, alkaline, or other battery types 6. LMPC Registration (Legal Metrology for Packaged Commodities) For manufacturers, importers, and sellers of pre-packaged products in India, gaining an LMPC registration is mandatory under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. This is particularly because consumers have the right to clear and honest information about what they’re buying. LMPC ensures that all packages sold in India impart true and relevant knowledge regarding the various details like MRP, net quantity, weight, etc.
Common Challenges Faced by Businesses While various regulatory certifications are an unskippable step for market credibility for businesses, the path to obtaining them can be a bit difficult to tackle. Many businesses struggle with the procedural and technical demands to operate smoothly in the Indian market. Below are some of the common challenges businesses usually face: • Complex Documentation Requirements: There are a lot of documentation requirements ranging from manufacturer details, energy performance data, to lab reports and declarations. The paperwork involved is undoubtedly extensive and highly technical. Any errors in the same can delay the entire process.
• Coordination with Accredited Labs: Product testing for several compliance requirements must be conducted in specific government-approved labs. Scheduling and managing these tests can become time-consuming and confusing, especially if there is no expert help.
• Lack of Clarity on Procedures: The certification process involves multiple steps, which makes it hard for businesses to know what comes next or how to proceed correctly.
• Limited In-House Expertise: Most companies lack dedicated teams for various certifications. This means that the existing staff must juggle core duties with compliance tasks, which often leads to stressful procedures and more chances of delays.
• Uncertainty About Timelines: There is always uncertainty about timelines when it comes to the certification procedures. This always causes delays for businesses in market entry or shipments.
How Brand Liaison Simplifies the Certification Journey Brand Liaison is a top-trusted compliance management consultant, helping businesses with comprehensive certifications for the Indian market. We provide complete certification and post-approval support. Here’s how Brand Liaison eases the certification process for your business: • Expert Consultation: Whether it’s BIS CRS for IT products, ISI for industrial items, TEC for telecom, BEE for star-labelled appliances, or EPR for environmentally regulated products, our team of dedicated and expert consultants evaluates your product category and guides you with tailored solutions for your business.
• End-to-End Document Preparation : We help businesses to effectively prepare and validate all technical documents, declarations, test reports, and forms as per regulatory norms to avoid errors or rejections during submission, and prevent last-minute hassles and unnecessary delays.
• Lab Testing Coordination: We coordinate directly with government-recognised labs (NABL, BIS, TEC, etc.) to get your product tested and ensure all results meet the applicable standards, to be compliant, and eligible for the Indian market.
• Label/Marking Assistance: We assist businesses in label generation and mark usage, whether it’s for BEE star labels, BIS CRS logos, ISI marks, TEC certificates, or WPC ETA documents, to ensure legal product sales.
• Budget-Friendly Compliance Packages: With cost-effective compliance and certification solutions, we offer competitive pricing to support startups, MSMEs, and global brands alike, offering compliance without financial strain.
Conclusion Regulatory compliance is no longer optional as it has become a key requirement for businesses aiming for credibility, market access, and long-term sustainability in the Indian market. From safety and quality assurance to environmental responsibility, certifications like BIS, BEE, TEC, WPC, and EPR are essential to stay compliant and competitive in the Indian economy.
At Brand Liaison, we help businesses meet compliance requirements with ease and efficiency. With deep industry experience and technical knowledge regarding various certifications for the Indian market, our team ensures that your compliance journey is smooth, timely, and stress-free. Get in touch with Brand Liaison, your one-stop solution for compliance management today, to ensure your product is market-ready and compliant with India’s regulatory ecosystem.
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