BIS Scheme-X Machinery Safety Certification 2026: Complete Guidelines, Process, Documents, Audit & Machinery List

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), via its CMD-I, issued directions on 5 August 2026 regarding the issuance of certification under Scheme-X of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, relating to machinery safety. This was in response to the rescission of the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024. In effect, the certification of machinery safety under this scheme has become optional.

The guidelines outline the machinery that can be certified, the application process for manufacturers, the submission of documents, the assessment of the Technical File and Product Compliance Report, the audit procedures adopted by BIS in its desk and site audits, non-conformances found, and conditions for rejection of applications.

Is Machinery Safety Certification Mandatory in India in 2026?

According to the current guidelines, machinery safety certification is being conducted voluntarily following the revocation of the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024. BIS has provided an indicative list of machinery categories eligible for voluntary certification under Scheme-X. But even machinery which does not fall under the list can also be considered. Such cases will be examined by Central Marks Department-III (CMD-III). BIS also mentions that the machinery categories as listed in Annexure-I can be revised from time to time by CMD-III.

Basis of BIS Scheme-X Certification

BIS Scheme X certification will be issued upon BIS's successful assessment of the Technical File. The Technical File should contain a Product Compliance Report showing compliance with the prescribed requirements.
Prescribed requirements refer to the requirements mentioned in the respective standards and/or essential requirements applicable to the product. For some machines, more than one standard may be applicable. Similarly, even if one standard is applicable, only certain requirements of that standard may be applicable to that particular machine. So, it becomes the manufacturer's responsibility to identify the correct requirements.

Role of Risk Assessment in Machinery Safety Certification

These concepts are intended to help manufacturers identify hazards and take appropriate steps to mitigate or control the risk. Machinery-specific Type C standards are to be considered where available and prescribed. Type C standards can offer some specific information about the safety of machinery and can also include:

• Type B1 standards for safety-related aspects; and
• Type B2 standards for safeguarding devices/components.

The BIS also notes that machine-category-specific guidance documents are publicly available on the BIS website to help manufacturers understand how to apply the standards.

BIS Scheme-X Machinery Certification Process

The entire certification process includes document submission, desk review, corrections, if needed, site audit, and evaluation. The process may be generally interpreted in the following way:

Application → Technical File → Desk Audit → Questions/Corrections → Site Audit → Evaluation → Certification
Submission of BIS Scheme-X Application

Submission of BIS Scheme-X Application

Go through the steps given below to know the submission process for product submission of BIS Scheme- X: 

• The manufacturer should submit an application in accordance with Form-I provided in Scheme-X.
• All documents should be provided by the applicant in accordance with Form I.
• The application should be accompanied by the Technical File and Product Compliance Report.

Technical File Preparation

The Technical File is one of the most critical documents in the whole BIS Scheme-X certification process. It must include documentation on the design, manufacture, and performance of the product as far as needed and relevant to establish conformity.

Documents for Safety Components

Where the Product Compliance Report specifies requirements for components such as safety devices, additional documentation may be included. BIS accepts the following kinds of documentary proofs:

• BIS Certificate of Component
• Original Manufacturer's Test Certificate/Datasheet
• Test Report from BIS Recognised/Empanelled Laboratory
• Test Report from the Laboratory of the Applicant Manufacturer
• Test Report from Accredited Laboratory

BIS Desk Audit of BIS Scheme- X

After being submitted, the application will be assessed under the desk audit procedure. This will be done by assigning the application to the Head of the concerned Branch Office (BO). The objective is to establish the completeness and technical sufficiency of the application and Technical File.

The desk audit will assess the following:

• Completeness of the application;
• Completeness of the Product Compliance Report;
• Selection of the specified requirements;
• Suitability of the selected requirements for the machine; and
• Whether all safety requirements have been addressed.

BIS Presents Queries or Shortfalls

If BIS observes any queries or shortfalls during the desk audit, the findings will be brought to the applicant's attention. Simultaneously, BIS will suggest dates for the site audit to be carried out within 15 days from the date of issue of observations.

BIS Site Audit under Scheme X Certification

A site audit is conducted to evaluate the Product Compliance Report. The usual time taken for a site audit is four man-days. The Head of the Branch Office will constitute the audit team, based on competency criteria, comprising 2 qualified auditors.

Non-Conformity and Corrective Action

During the technical assessment, BIS observes all applicable specified requirements.

Whereas in case BIS finds any:

• Inadequacy;
• Nonconformity; or
• Issue in the Product Compliance Report,
• The application is intimated in writing.
• The applicant is allowed to respond to the issue observed.

BIS will assess the response for:

• Completeness and Adequacy.
• This assessment is done even after discussion with audit team members.
• BIS then decides whether:
• Desk assessment is enough, or
• Another site audit is required.

Grant of BIS Scheme-X Certification

Initially, all certification applications are examined at the BIS headquarters. The Case is referred to CMD-III at BIS Headquarters via DDGR by the Head of the Branch Office. Once the assessment process is completed, BIS informs the applicant of certification in the prescribed format. The license to use the BIS Standard Mark is initially issued for the period specified in BIS regulations.

When Can BIS Reject a Scheme-X Application?

The criteria outline the case of multiple technical files; an application may be processed for the grant of certification for the concerned products where evidence of compliance is established. The following may constitute grounds for rejection.

1. Incomplete Application
2. Product Does Not Fulfil the Requirement
3. More Than One Technical File
4. Non-Fulfillment of Corrective Action
5. Outstanding Payment of Fees
6. Altered or Misrepresented Documents
7. Ethical Issue
8. Gross Departure during the Audit of the Site
9. Gross Departure in Technical File
10. Refusal to Help the BIS

21-Day Rejection Notice

Before taking any action of rejection, the notice of at least 21 days should be served on the applicant. The applicant shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard either in person or through its representatives. The competent authority shall issue speaking orders regarding the decision made. The rejection of the application shall be conveyed in writing to the applicant. (template attached as Annexure-IV)

Requirements for Foreign Manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers must also follow the applicable guidelines issued by FMCD. Therefore, overseas manufacturers should consider the Scheme-X requirements alongside the applicable FMCD requirements when preparing their certification application.

BIS Scheme-X Certification Fees

All applicable fees shall be paid upfront. It is stated under BIS Guidelines that “Information regarding the applicable fee can be found at the following link:

BIS → Conformity Assessment → Scheme-X Certification → Fee. Also, all annual fees payable shall be paid upfront in accordance with the applicable provisions of the BIS Regulations.

Annexure-I: Machinery Eligible for Voluntary Scheme-X Certification

BIS has provided an indicative list of machinery categories under voluntary certification. The following categories are specifically mentioned in the supplied Annexure-I extract.

Note: The supplied extract of Annexure-I contains the machinery categories and standards reproduced above. BIS may review and update the indicative machinery list from time to time.

Conclusion

Guidelines issued by BIS on 5th August 2026 provide manufacturers with an avenue to obtain voluntary safety certification for machinery under Scheme-X in Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. However, submitting an application form alone is not a significant prerequisite; manufacturers must establish, through a properly prepared Technical File and Product Compliance Report, that their machinery meets all relevant safety requirements and that the identified hazards are either reduced or eliminated.

Anushka Pandey

Content Writer at ERCS Private Limited

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