India, the behemoth of Asia, is one of the fastest growing
economies in the world. According to Business
Today, India’s economic growth would increase by 7 percent to 7.5
percent in the year 2018-19. With such massive growth rates, the country is
expected to be great for foreign exporters.
As a entrepreneur looking to export goods to India, you
should know about trade standards in India. Here’s a brief overview:
India’s Trade Standards – Who Sets Them
The BIS or Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, is the
authority that determines policies for domestic and international goods to be
exported to India.
Let’s talk a bit more about Bureau of Indian Standards:
The BIS is a legal body with 25 members at both Federal and
State government levels. Not just that, the entity also caters to other bodies
like scientific and research sectors, consumer sector, and so on.
They deal with quality certification plans for goods,
services, systems and processes to be exported to India from foreign lands. Under
the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, the BIS has the authority to provide
final approval (or disapproval) for certification mark from an international
body.
Some Trade-Related Hindrances when it comes to Exporting to India
Here are some possible hindrances for International players
looking to export to India:
Legal Metrology
The Indian legal metrology rules (revised in 2013) state that
pre-packaged products will not be allowed into India, until they are exported
in a standard quantity and meet all the required legislations. This can prove
to be a problem for foreign manufacturers who do not use the metric units.
For instance, products in the US are measured in fluid
ounces, pounds or pints. These manufacturers will have to change their
measurement units.
Electronic Equipment Testing
Problems with foreign electronic equipment have been an issue
for the Indian authorities. This is why they have employed strict criteria for
export of electronic equipment.
The electronic goods have to be tested and verified by any of
the 8 BIS laboratories, even though they meet internationally recognized
quality standards. This can create delays for foreign exporters.
Obtaining the Required Certification
There are 109 products
that require mandatory certification before they can be exported to India.
These products are from various categories including food preservatives,
types of cement, electrical appliances, automobile parts, and etc.
These 109 products are to be tested and verified by the BIS.
With a team of certification compliance specialists, we at
G&M Compliance offer high-quality certification management services. From finding
the most relevant BIS- approved testing laboratory to reporting, our team
handles all aspects of BIS certification.