BIS Certification for Solid Round GFRP Bars for Concrete Reinforcement Guide

If you are a manufacturer or trader of Solid Round GFRP Bars, it is essential to know about the application process for BIS certification as per IS 18256. The ISI Mark on GFRP Bars provides safety, quality, and standard for consumers. With India’s future as a leader in the construction of sustainable and corrosion-resistant options for government finalisation, Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars are being established as a comfortable alternative. In this in-depth series, we are going to deal with everything from material standards and mechanical properties to testing procedures.

Key Specification of IS 18256 Certification under BIS Scheme-I

IS 18256 is an Indian Standard specification published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) that defines the requirements for solid round Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) during the reinforcement of concrete. This specification contains the materials, properties, and tests for GFRP bars to confirm they are appropriate for the intended use in a concrete structure.

• Material: Specifies what type of glass fibre and resins (epoxy, vinyl ester) could be used to manufacture GFRP bars and includes a specified performance criterion.
• Physical & Mechanical Properties: Specifies the tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, glass transition temperature, and bond strength required from the GFRP bars.
• Test and Acceptance Criteria: Specifies the tests to be performed to verify compliance with the required properties and performance requirements.
• Surface Enhancements: Allows for surface treatment such as sand casting or spiral wound to enhance the bond to the concrete.
• Scope of the Standard: The Standard only applies to solid round GFRP bars that are to be used to strengthen non-prestressed concrete in various applications.
• Sustainability: The new report promotes the use of GFRP bars as a sustainable construction material and a potentially greener alternative to steel.
• Manufacturing and Handling: The standard outlines the processes of manufacturing and suggests recommendations for quality control and good handling practices of GFRP bars.

What are the Scope of ISI Certification for IS 18256

The IS 18256 standard outlines the specification applicable to solid round GFRP bars used in concrete reinforcement in a non-prestressed manner. The standard includes the following:

• Types of fibres: Bars that are hybrid FRP, or exhibit more than one load-bearing fibre type
• Product Specification: Products that do not have an external surface enhancement (i.e., plain or smooth bars, or dowels)
• Physical, chemical, and mechanical properties: GFRP that does not have any geometries other than solid, round cross-sections; Bars that contain any traces of polyester in the base polymer/resin.
• Testing and acceptance criteria: Specifies test methods used to test for compliance with the performance requirements associated with the above features.

Guidelines for BIS Certification on the Quality and Handling of GFRP Bars

The Indian Standard of Solid Round GFRP Bars shows the quality guidelines. We have mentioned them; go through them one by one:

• Temperature: Glass transition temperature must exceed 100 °C; degree of cure ≥ 95%.
• Test Variations: The coefficient of variation (COV) for test samples must be ≤ 0.10 for consistency.
• Storage & handling: use gloves to avoid skin irritation; store on clean timber pallets; avoid stepping onto GFRP surfaces to prevent damage or splintering.

Can Traders Sell GFRP Bars Without BIS Certification?

No trader can sell GFRP (Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer) bars in India without obtaining ISI Certification. Foreign manufacturers can apply for an FMCS License with the Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme. It is mandatory for a wide range of products, including raw materials used in their manufacture, to be manufactured or imported into the Indian Market. 

The consequences a manufacturer or trader faces if they don’t obtain BIS Certification:

• Non-compliant products are restricted from entering or being sold in the Indian Market. 
• Non-certified products can damage the company’s reputation.
• Sellers can face account suspension on e-commerce platforms for selling Non-certified products.
• BIS imposes fines and other penalties for selling products without certification. It can seize products that are not certified.
• If you are selling your products on an e-commerce website, then it can even suspend or remove the listing of non-certified products.

Common Challenges Faced by Manufacturers During BIS Approval of GFRP Bars

Here are five common challenges faced by manufacturers during BIS approval of GFRP (Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer) bars:

• The BIS Certification of GFRP Bars is complex, so manufacturers can struggle to know the testing methods and performance criteria.

• Due to the limited number of BIS-recognised labs in India that are equipped so it can be challenging to specialise in mechanical, thermal, and chemical tests required for GFRP bars. This can also delay the test reports.

• The complex testing method requires tensile strength, bond strength, alkali resistance, and more. This can be an expensive and time-consuming procedure.

• It is very critical to get top-notch quality raw materials like resin and glass fibres. Manufacturers can face challenges in maintaining and providing a consistent quality of inputs due to varying global suppliers.

• Documentation can be a main reason for the delay of your certificate. Incomplete or incorrect documentation can be a common reason for rejection or delay.

Timeline and Validity of BIS Certification for IS 18256

To obtain BIS Certification in India under IS 18256 for Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars, the standard timeline is typically between 8-12 weeks. Once the factory inspection is completed (and deemed sufficient), BIS usually grants a license, which also takes 2-3 weeks.
Under IS 18256, the BIS certification has an initial validity period of one year from the date of issue. The certification is then reviewed each year, and the manufacturer may renew it for one or two years, provided they continue to meet the requirements of the standard. 
Renewal is dependent on satisfactory surveillance inspections, the quality norms being met, and payments for fees being made on time.

Conclusion

Whether you are planning to launch GFRP bars in India or want to ensure regulatory compliance, this blog by ERCS India’s trusted BIS Certification partner serves as your go-to resource for everything related to IS 18256. To ensure that GFRP bars used in concrete reinforcement meet strict quality and performance benchmarks.  From selecting the right fibre and resin system to achieving compliance through mandatory tests and the Manufacturer’s Test Certificate (MTC), ERCS AS A BIS Consultant India helps manufacturers, suppliers, and infrastructure professionals navigate the BIS certification process effectively.