BIS CRS Registration

The BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) — Scheme-II of the Product Certification Regulations, 2018 — is the mandatory registration regime for electronics and IT products notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). CRS applies to a list that today runs to more than 90 categories including mobile phones, laptops, tablets, monitors, LED lighting, adaptors, wireless microphones, USB drivers, smart speakers, IT servers, medical monitors and many others. Every model of a covered product must be tested at a BIS-recognised laboratory, registered on the BIS Manak Online portal and marked with the BIS registration number before it can be legally sold or imported into India.

The Exim Roof has driven BIS CRS registrations for global electronics brands, contract manufacturers and Indian importers across mobile-phone accessories, IT hardware, LED lighting, IoT devices, wearables and video-conferencing equipment. From MeitY notification interpretation and lab liaison to Manak Online drafting and licence maintenance, we take end-to-end ownership so your product reaches the shelf on time — every time.

Regulatory framework

CRS is administered under the Compulsory Registration Order issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and enforced by the Bureau of Indian Standards under the BIS Act, 2016. The scheme is model-wise (not brand-wise), which means every variant, every colour with distinct components, and every hardware revision needs its own registration. The registration is granted for two years and can be renewed provided there is no change in the tested design.

Who needs BIS CRS?

• Domestic manufacturers of any notified electronics or IT product.
• Overseas manufacturers whose product is imported into India (the AIR route applies).
• Brand owners who source contract-manufactured products and sell under their own brand.
• Importers who need to satisfy customs and marketplace listing requirements.

The CRS process — step by step

Stage one is scope classification: we map each model against the applicable IS (for example IS 13252 for IT equipment or IS 616 for audio-visual equipment) and confirm the trigger under the CRO. Stage two is sample preparation and lab dispatch. Stage three is sample testing at a BIS-recognised laboratory — every safety and, where applicable, EMC parameter listed in the IS is verified and a test report generated. Stage four is portal application on BIS Manak Online with the test report, model-wise photographs, marking plan and factory details. Stage five is BIS scrutiny, clarification response and grant of registration.

Post-registration, the marking scheme (the R-number with prescribed dimensions and placement) must be printed on every packaged unit. Any hardware or firmware change that affects the tested parameters requires a fresh application under the change-endorsement route.

Key deliverables from The Exim Roof

• Model-wise scope mapping against the applicable IS.
• Sample dispatch and lab coordination for testing.
• End-to-end portal drafting and application on BIS Manak Online.
• Marking plan design and packaging artwork review.
• Renewal reminders and change-endorsement filings for every revision.

Timelines and fees

An uncomplicated CRS registration takes 8–12 weeks from sample dispatch, dominated by lab testing time (2–4 weeks) and BIS portal scrutiny (2–3 weeks). Lab fees vary sharply by product complexity — a simple LED driver may cost ₹40,000 while a wireless earphone with multiple radio bands may cross ₹1.5 lakh. Government fees include a registration application fee, a marking fee against declared production and a nominal renewal fee.

Common CRS pitfalls

The most common cause of CRS rejection is a mismatch between the tested sample and the model actually shipped — different battery capacity, different SoC, different power supply — which BIS spots during scrutiny of the datasheet. Our engineers review the datasheet and BOM against the tested sample before the application is filed, catching mismatches early.