BIS Stakeholders Consultation Meeting on Implementation of Parallel Testing

9. May 2024

In January 2024, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) officially transitioned its parallel testing process from a pilot project to a permanent feature within the BIS-CRS certification scheme. This decision came after a stakeholder consultation involving industry representatives and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY). Parallel testing, initially introduced in January 2023 for mobile phones, allows critical components and host products to be tested simultaneously at laboratories, although their registration still follows a sequential process.

Despite the scheme’s initial six-month duration witnessing limited industry participation, BIS extended the pilot for an additional six months and included new product categories such as wireless headphones/earphones and laptops/notebooks/tablets. By December 2023, the industry feedback suggested strong support for making parallel testing a permanent option, emphasizing the need for predictability in planning product launches. Laboratories also indicated their readiness to implement parallel testing across all product categories without any challenges.

Key points from the discussions included:

• The initial phases of the pilot saw low application rates from industry participants.
• Industry stakeholders are in favor of permanent implementation of parallel testing for better planning of product launches.
• Laboratories are well-prepared and supportive of extending parallel testing to all products.

The new policy stipulates that parallel testing is optional, allowing manufacturers to choose this method while applying for BIS certification. However, manufacturers are responsible for all risks and costs involved if the certification application is ultimately rejected or not processed. Upon successful registration, manufacturers can expect immediate updates to their Conformity Certificate Lists (CCL).

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