A few months ago, a small electronics founder in Delhi ordered his first batch of smart devices right before festive season. He spent weeks preparing — photoshoots, listing pages, packaging, marketing — everything was ready.
But the launch never happened.
His shipment was stopped at the port because the product didn’t have BIS CRS registration, and he didn’t even know that a simple adaptor inside the box needed certification of its own. The delay cost him almost an entire quarter.
This is a common story for first-time importers and electronics startups — not because their products are bad, but because the compliance process wasn’t understood well.
This guide ensures you never face that situation in 2025.
If you manufacture, import, or sell certain electronics or IT products in India, you must get BIS CRS Registration before your product can enter the market.
The goal is simple:
If your product appears on the notified list, you cannot sell or import it without a valid R-number.
A humanized explanation:
Whether you’re a startup importing smart gadgets, a D2C brand launching home electronics, or a manufacturer producing devices locally — you are responsible for ensuring BIS registration if your product falls under CRS.
Typical applicants include:
Even if you “only sell under your brand,” and the OEM is different, you still fall under the scope.
Short intro:
The BIS CRS registration process may look overwhelming, but it follows a predictable flow. Most delays happen due to incorrect documentation or mismatched details between the sample, test report, and final application. Here’s the simplified version.
Use the latest BIS notifications to see whether your category is included.
Testing must be done only through BIS-approved labs.
The lab conducts safety testing as per the applicable Indian Standard (IS).
This report is the backbone of your application — keep it consistent with model names and product details.
Upload documentation, brand details, model numbers, test reports, and declarations.
They check your documentation, test report authenticity, and model alignment.
Once approved, BIS issues your CRS Registration Certificate valid for two years.
The R-number must appear on the product label, packaging, and manuals.
Short intro:
Many applicants face delays simply because the documents don’t match — a small difference in spelling, brand name, or model coding can send the file back for resubmission.
Short intro:
Government fees are low, but testing and documentation form the bulk of your real cost — especially for imported items.
| Cost Component | Typical Range (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BIS Govt Application Fee | 1,000 – 2,000 | Per model |
| Product Testing | 25,000 – 1,50,000 | Varies by product & lab |
| Logistics & Sample Cost | 5,000 – 30,000 | Higher for imports |
| AIR Authorization | 10,000 – 40,000 | Mandatory for foreign brands |
| Compliance/Consulting Support | Optional | Helps avoid rejection |
Interpretation:
Testing is the largest cost segment and the biggest cause of timeline variation.
Short intro:
CRS has expanded rapidly over the last few years — if you’re in electronics, there’s a strong chance your product may be covered.
| Category | Example Products | IS Standard |
|---|---|---|
| IT Equipment | Laptops, Tablets, Printers | IS 13252 (Part 1) |
| Audio/Video | TVs, Speakers, Amplifiers | IS 616 |
| Power Accessories | Power Banks, Adapters, UPS | IS 13252 |
| LED Devices | LED Bulbs, Drivers, Controls | IS 16102 / IS 15885 |
| Wearables | Smartwatches, Fitness Bands | IS 13252 |
| Solar Equipment | PV Modules, Inverters | IS 14286 / IS 16221 |
| Networking | Routers, Access Points | IS 13252 |
Interpretation:
If the product uses electricity, has consumer-facing electronics, or is smart-connected — check CRS applicability before planning a launch.
Short intro:
Many brands underestimate the total time needed. The real world timeline is influenced more by testing queues and documentation quality than BIS’s internal processing.
| Stage | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| Lab Testing | 7–21 days |
| Test Report Issuance | 2–5 days |
| BIS Application Review | 7–15 days |
| Query Resolution | 3–10 days |
| Total Estimated Duration | 3–6 weeks |
Interpretation:
If your launch is time-sensitive, start early — CRS delays can block entire shipments.
Short intro:
Most failures happen due to avoidable mistakes. These are the exact issues that slow down founders and small businesses.
A wearable-tech seller planned a Diwali launch for a smartwatch. Everything was ready — inventory in India, ads scheduled, influencers booked.
But their application was rejected because the model name in the test report had a hyphen (“S-100”), while the packaging printed “S100”.
That small difference delayed certification by 3 weeks and the entire festive launch window was lost.
Small details can cause big losses.
Short intro:
With rising imports, stricter customs checks, and stronger marketplace compliance, ignoring BIS is no longer an option.
For growing brands, BIS is not a hurdle — it’s a foundation.
Whether you’re launching a smart gadget, home electronic device, or IT accessory, BIS CRS certification should be part of your core planning, not an afterthought.
Starting early, following a structured approach, and ensuring document accuracy can save you weeks of delay — and protect you from unexpected business losses.
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BIS CRS registration ensures that notified electronic and IT products meet India’s safety standards before being sold or imported.
Manufacturers, importers, and brand owners dealing in CRS-listed products must obtain registration for each product model.
The complete process takes around 3–6 weeks depending on testing, documentation quality, and BIS scrutiny.
You need product test reports, brand documents, model details, product photos, user manuals, and business registration documents.
Government fees are minimal (₹1,000–2,000), but the main cost is product testing, which ranges from ₹25,000–₹1,50,000 per model.
