In recent months, many European companies have been surprised by the introduction of new standards in India. While imports, especially of industrial and mechanical goods, often worked without problems in the past, some irritations are currently increasing.

For example, products suddenly get stuck in Indian customs - citing the lack of certificates and approvals. European exporters are often not even aware of when which standard was introduced.

What happened and what should be done?

We give you an overview and answer the most important questions:

  • Which market approvals do you actually need for India?
  • How do you deal with unexpected licensing requirements from the Indian authorities?
  • As an exporter, can you even be excluded from the Indian market?
  • Is the Indian state trying to enforce a protectionist economic policy through stricter certifications? 

In this article you will get pragmatic answers to the most important questions about Indian licensing requirements, registration with the relevant authorities, as well as information about the accredited service providers for the Indian market. 

“Market Entry Barrier” Product Certification License 

When entering the Indian market, the various regulatory requirements must be met. The legislator, the responsible ministry (for example the Ministry of Steel, Government of India), depending on the product category, provides for appropriate tests and certifications, which are carried out by as Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) be monitored. 

The Bureau of Indian Standards is the national standards body and is made up of representatives from government, industry, science and research institutions, and consumer associations. The main functions of this authority include the formulation, recognition and promotion of Indian standards. Today there are over 20.000 standards formulated by her, which are based on yours Website are to be looked up. These include, among others  

  • AIS certification for automotive parts
  • BIS approval for the electronics industry 
  • CDSCO approval for medical devices 
  • TEC certification for telecommunications equipment and WPC approval for wireless devices 
  • PESO registration for special machines in the oil and gas industry. 

To ensure compliance with international standards, Indian standards are regularly reviewed and updated in line with technological developments. 

(To what extent) does Indian industrial policy affect European exporters? 

In fact, 15 sectors of importance to Indian industry have recently been identified and standards put in place to improve the quality of products and services in the Indian market. 

Two aspects can be assumed as the supposed motivation of this quality offensive by the Indian state. On the one hand, protection against cheap imports (especially from China), and on the other hand, strengthening the local Indian industry (keyword: #MakeInIndia).

However, we know from business practice that the establishment of these import barriers is not primarily aimed at European manufacturers. The Indian government also knows that the domestic industry does not rely on high-tech machines and means of production "Made in Germany" (et al) can do without. Our experiences with the Indian authorities and Indian certification service providers also confirm this. 

Increasing professionalization and digitalization of customs 

When problems are reported to us when importing a product, we often discover that a standard has existed for many years and that the exporter should not have allowed the import to work in this way in the past. The fact that the introduction of the product no longer works without a certificate is also an expression of the increasing professionalization and digitalization of Indian customs.

Freedom of interpretation of Indian standards 

No matter why, many European manufacturers in India are currently confronted with almost impossible certification requirements, which, among other things, require special laboratories and corresponding audits in the main factory. If you take the standards literally (which we, as trained Europeans, usually do), the regulations for India seem objectively difficult to meet. 

As a rule, however, this does NOT mean exclusion from the market. Because, as described above, these requirements are not primarily aimed at premium manufacturers, but at generic cheap products from the Far East. Therefore, the Indian standards are certainly interpreted in favor of “welcome” suppliers and the requirements regarding audits and laboratories are interpreted pragmatically.

Verification & registration by Indian service providers – with the help of authorized representatives

If relevant standards exist, the affected products usually have to be tested locally by an accredited laboratory and according to Indian standards. Only then can they be brought onto the market in India. The list of approved certifiers and laboratories can be found on the website Bureau of Indian Standards.  

According to the certification system for foreign manufacturers (“Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme”) Foreign manufacturers then apply to BIS for certification for the labeling of their products.

For this, the foreign manufacturer must appoint an authorized representative who is resident in India and will act as an agent between the BIS and the manufacturer. But be careful! In the past, foreign companies often chose the “first person” who offered to act as an authorized representative - for example the newly selected sales representative or importer - and thereby found themselves dependent (… only permitted if imported via…).

Other companies did not even have to have their products accredited locally. But at some point you had issued a power of attorney for the sales representative….

We would be happy to support you in clarifying your certification requirements for India and implementing them.

Your contact person is Volker Klosowski, most recently a board member of TÜV Rheinland AG - now a senior expert at Dr. Wamser + Batra GmbH, available. Previously, Mr. Klosowski was, among other things, the key driver for the entry and expansion of TÜV NORD's successful large-scale testing laboratory business in India.