After the enforcement of QCO in February 2025, stakeholder’s compliance towards the new norms remains the foremost concern of the BIS for its effective and seamlessimplementation. Here are 10 key steps, compiled by Dr CN Pandey, Technical Advisor, FIPPI, in the interest of making the process of obtaining BIS Certification easier for industry stakeholders:
1. BIS Certification Compliance
Ensure BIS certification (ISI Mark) for all Plywood and other panel products as per the required Standards. Maintain compliance with BIS guidelines during production.
2. Raw Material Supply Chain Compliances
Use only approved raw materials (wood species, adhesives, and chemicals) that meet BIS specifications. Maintain documentation of supplier certifications.
3. In-House Product Testing & Laboratory Compliance
Set up or upgrade in-house testing laboratories as per BIS . Conduct regular testing for physical, mechanical, and chemical properties.
“Ensure correct ISI marking and labeling with license number, batch number, and manufacturing details. Use permanent and legible stamping or printing methods as per BIS norms. Maintain proper records of testing, raw materials, production batches, and dispatches. Keep all documents ready for inspections or BIS audits. Dispatch only certified products. Work with dealers and distributors to ensure compliance in the supply chain.”
4. Manufacturing Process Standardization
Ensure all manufacturing processes comply with QCO norms. Maintain process control records for tracing deviations.
5. Printing & Marking Compliance
Ensure correct ISI marking and labeling with license number, batch number, and manufacturing details. Use permanent and legible stamping or printing methods as per BIS norms.
6. Documentation & Record Keeping
Maintain proper records of testing, raw materials, production batches, and dispatches. Keep all documents ready for inspections or BIS audits.
7. Inventory & Dispatch Management
Dispatch only certified products. Work with dealers and distributors to ensure compliance in the supply chain.
8. Legal & Regulatory Compliance
Stay updated on any QCO amendments and ensures timely compliances.
9. Employee Training & Awareness
Conduct regular training for quality control staff, production workers, and sales teams. Educate employees on QCO regulations, compliance risks, and BIS audits.
10. Renewal & Periodic Certification Updates.
For continued compliance under QCO, timely renewal of BIS certification is essential. Stakeholders must track the validity period of their BIS license and initiate the renewal process well before expiry.
[Published in Ply Reporter's April 2025 Print Issue]