Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Objective of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):

The erstwhile Indian Standards Institution (ISI) was established in year 1947 (now Bureau of Indian Standards) with the objective of harmonious development of standardization activity in India. Under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, Bureau establishes Indian Standards in relation to any article or process and amends, revises or cancels the standards so established as may be necessary, by a process of consultation involving consumers, manufacturers, Government and regulatory bodies, technologists, scientists and testing laboratories through duly constituted committees.

• BIS is a national standards setting body established under Bureau of Indian Standards Act 1986
• Earlier, it was known as Indian Standards Institution (ISI), established under Indian Standards Institution (Certification Marks) Act 1952
• A manufacturer having BIS License/Certificate can use the ISI mark on the packages for the product for which license has been granted
• BIS is a statutory body under administrative control of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Govt. of India
• It is for Standardization, Product and System Certification, Lab testing etc. at national and international level
• There are standards formation committee for setting standards for different products taking inputs from various stakeholders
• BIS has laid down standards for many processed foods, mostly voluntary, except few, which are mandatory
• In general, it covers standards of raw materials, finished products, hygienic conditions of manufacturing premises, packaging and labelling requirements
• Standards for food colours, packaged drinking water, natural mineral water etc. are also laid down under BIS

BIS Certification is a means for providing third party guarantee of quality, safety and reliability of products to the customer. BIS Certification is voluntary in nature; however, the Government of India has made BIS certification mandatory for certain Food products taking into consideration public health.

BIS Certification is mandatory for following food products:

There are few food products which are under mandatory BIS certification along with a License or Registration under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The products are enlisted below:

• IS : 15757 Followup formula -complimentary foods
• IS : 11536 Processed cereal based complimentary foods
• IS : 1165 Milk Powder
• IS : 1166 Condensed milk, partly skimmed and skimmed condensed milk
• IS : 12176 Sweetened ultra high temperature treated condensed milk
• IS : 13334 (Part:1) Skimmed Milk Powder – Standard Grade
• IS : 13334 (Part:2) Skimmed Milk Powder – Extra Grade
• IS : 14543 Packaged Drinking Water (Other than Packaged Natural Mineral Water)
• IS : 13428 Packaged Natural Mineral Water
• IS : 1656 Milk-cereal based weaning foods
• IS : 3470 Hexane Food Grade

Note: BIS has published two indian standards for Packaged Drinking Water namely IS 13428 for Packaged Natural Mineral Water and IS 14543 for Packaged Drinking Water (Other than Packaged Natural Mineral Water). Both the products are under Mandatory Certification.

It is mandatory for Food Business Operators to print BIS logo along with License number on the primary packaging material along with FSSAI Logo and FSSAI License/Registration number.

Food Packaging Material where BIS Specification is Mandatory:

As per Food Safety & Standards (Packaging & Labelling) Regulations, 2011, the containers made of Plastic materials should confirm to the following indian standards specifications, used as appliances or receptacles for packing or storing whether partly or wholly, food articles namely:-

• IS : 10146 (Specification for polyethylene in contact with foodstuffs)
• IS : 10142 (Specification for Styrene Polymers in contact with foodstuffs)
• IS : 10151 (Specification for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), in contact with foodstuffs)
• IS : 10910 (Specification for Polypropylene, in contact with foodstuffs)
• IS : 11434 (Specification for lonomer Resins in contact with foodstuffs)
• IS : 11704 (Specification for Ethylene Acrylic Acid (EAA) copolymer)
• IS : 12525 (Specification for Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)).
• IS : 12247 (Specification for Nylon 6 Polymer)
• IS : 13601 (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA))
• IS : 13576 (Ethylene Metha Acrylic Acid (EMAA))

The metal containers used for preparation, packaging and storage of food should confirm to the following Indian Standard Specification:

• IS : 20 Specification for Cast Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy for Utensils or
• IS : 21 Specification for Wrought Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy for Utensils

Download, Read & Share: BIS Act, BIS (FSMS) Certification Scheme, List of Food Products Under Compulsory Certification, Coding & Retesting Guideline etc..

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