BIS authority announces Amendment of Conformity Assessment Scheme for LV Switchgear
30. March 2023The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has announced a change to the conformity assessment scheme for low-voltage switchgear in India. According to the new notification, the current Scheme II will be replaced by BIS’s Scheme X, effective April 1, 2023. This is to ensure the safety and quality of LV switchgear used in various applications such as power distribution, control and protection. LV switchgear and similar products are covered by BIS certification in India.
LV switchgear covered by the new Scheme X includes the following product categories:
| No. | Electrical Equipment | Indian Standard |
| 1 | Low – Voltage switchgear and controlgear: Circuit – Breakers | IS/IEC 60947 : Part 2 : 2016 |
| 2 | Low – Voltage switchgear and controlgear: switches, disconnectors, switch disconnectors and fuse – Combination units | IS/IEC 60947 : Part 3 : 2012 |
| 3 | Low – Voltage switchgear and controlgear: electromechanical contactors and motor – Starters | IS/IEC 60947 : Part 4 : Sec 1 : 2012 |
| 4 | Low – Voltage switchgear and controlgear: a.c semiconductor motor controllers and starters | IS/IEC 60947 : Part 4 : Sec 2 : 2011 |
| 5 | Low – Voltage switchgear and controlgear: a.c. semiconductor motor controllers and contactors for non – Motor loads | IS/IEC 60947 : Part 4 : Sec 3 : 2014 |
| 6 | Low – Voltage switchgear and controlgear: electromechanical control circuit devicesLow – Voltage switchgear and controlgear: electromechanical control circuit devices | IS/IEC 60947 : Part 5 : Sec 1 : 2009 |
| 7 | Low – Voltage switchgear and controlgear proximity switches | IS/IEC 60947 : Part 5 : Sec 2:2007 |
| 8 | Low – Voltage switchgear and controlgear: electrical emergency stop devices with mechanical latching function | S/IEC 60947 : Part 5 : Sec 5 : 2016 |
Under the new scheme manufacturers and importers of LV switchgear must comply with the Indian IS 60947 series of standards, which includes performance and testing requirements for LV switchgear. One major difference is that BIS will now conduct initial and, if necessary, periodic audits at manufacturers and importer’s production facilities to ensure compliance with the standard.
BIS has stated that the change in the conformity assessment scheme will not affect the validity of the existing BIS license or registration for LV switchgear under Scheme II, however manufacturers and importers must apply for a new license or registration under the new Scheme X upon expiration of the existing license or BIS registration.
Implementation will take place gradually from April 1, 2023.
Since 2012, the BIS has been gradually expanding the certification catalog and continuously adding additional goods. BIS certification mandatory for many electronic products for industrial and consumer uses. Factory inspections are also required for some products.
If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). There is no cost or obligation for us to check for you. If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.
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