BIS Certification for
Protective Clothing for Welding IS 16655

Introduction to Indian Standard IS 16655;  Textiles - Textiles and allied processes - Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes.  IS 16655 covers Textiles - Textiles and allied processes - Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes. This International Standard specifies minimum basic safety requirements and test methods for protective clothing, including hoods, aprons, sleeves, and gaiters that are designed to protect the wearer’s body, including head (hoods) and feet (gaiters) and that are to be worn during welding and allied processes with comparable risks. For the protection of the wearer’s head and feet, this International Standard is only applicable to hoods and gaiters. This International Standard does not cover requirements for feet, hands, faces, and/or eye protectors.

Specification of IS 16655

IS 16655 specifies the quality parameters or characteristics of the  Textiles - Textiles and allied processes - Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes as follows :

• Size designation and fit 
• Protective clothing
• Pocket flaps and closures 
• Closure and seams      
• Limited Flame spread 
• Dimensional change of textiles materials 
• Heat Transfer (radiation) 
• Tensile strength
• Burst Strength for knitting material and seams 
• Tear Resistance
• Seam Strength 
• Electrical Resistance 
• Fat content of leather

Mandate for ISI Mark Certification for Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes (IS 16655) 

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 16 read with section 17 and sub-section (3) of section 25 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016), the Central Government is of the opinion that it is necessary so to do in the public interest and after consulting the Bureau of Indian Standards, hereby makes the following Order, namely  Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022. As per the Protective Textiles (Quality control) order, all the manufacturers of Textiles - Textiles and allied processes - Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes are obligated to obtain ISI Mark Certification.

BIS Certification Process for Protective clothing

Procedure to obtain BIS Certification of  Textiles - Textiles and allied processes - Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes to use ISI mark as per IS 16655

• BIS Certificate for Indian Manufacturers (Standard Timeframe – 30 days) 
• BIS FMCS certificate for Foreign Manufacturers (Standard Timeframe – 180 days) 

BIS Requirements to get the BIS license 

• Conformity of Raw Material as per IS 16655
• In-house testing laboratory for mandatory tests
• Competent Quality Control Personnel 
• Adherence to the BIS guidelines for  Textiles - Textiles and allied processes - Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes as per Indian standard IS 16655

There are 3 major categories of document required to get the BIS license:

• Administrative Details
• Technical Details
• Quality Control Personnel Details 
• Commercial Details

BIS Certificate Cost for Protective Clothing 

Expenses involved in obtaining BIS certificate for  Textiles - Textiles and allied processes - Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes as per IS 16655 under the Product Certification (Scheme-I) of BIS :

• In the certification process, product testing is the most important stage as it determines whether the quality of the product meets Indian standards.
• For the same purpose, investments in testing facilities are required to install test equipment for internal factory test laboratories.
• Apart from charges mentioned above in the table, we may ask you to pay/reimbursement for a Pre-Visit at your Factory Premises to ensure the conformity of your product as per the relevant Indian Standard & BIS guidelines for its BIS certification.

Role of ERCS Private Limited in getting your product certified :

To get BIS certification and produce a standard quality product, the manufacturer must ensure that their product must follow the specified Indian Standard Specifications (ISS) which we directly interpret to you from the BIS officials as per the Indian Standards. ERCS Private Limited will be your friend, philosopher and guide in the whole process of getting your product certified by the concerned authorities/ departments.

Scope of work by ERCS Private Limited:

1. Ensuring the conformity of your product as per IS 16655:

ERCS Pvt. Ltd. has developed a vast network within the Protective 
textile Industry & various BIS departments to assist for ensuring conformity of the product  Textiles - Textiles and allied processes - Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes according to according to IS 16655. 

2. Effective documentation with awareness of the BIS guidelines:
In order to facilitate the manufacturing industry in obtaining BIS certifications, guidelines have been developed. Our team has the experience of completing over 150 projects and technically competent associates in various Industries. 
We are familiar with the Indian Standard Specifications & BIS guidelines and deliver the most suitable interpretation to the Quality Control Personnel so we can do a reliable and effective documentation of your product in accordance with the BIS guidelines.

3. A pre-visit can be paid at your factory premises:
In the process of getting BIS certification, the officer from the BIS authority visits the factory for inspection. In order to get good results, the BIS inspection should go smoothly without any Non-Conformity. By keeping this goal in mind, our team will organise a pre-visit to your factory premises so that the required changes can be made to remove the elements of fallibility.

4. Assistance for BIS audits: 
We will explain the whole procedure of conducting a BIS inspection and make you aware of the things that need to be prepared and readily available at the time of inspection.

BIS Certification Advantage

Benefits of getting ISI Mark for  Textiles - Textiles and allied processes - Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes to sell in Indian Market with our help :

• The term “ISI mark" means that a certain product conforms to the quality standards set by the government.
• It is compulsory for  Textiles - Textiles and allied processes - Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes to obtain the ISI Mark, and the violators are penalised with the material seized and a significant sum as fine.
• Getting certification improves the probability of your product surviving and competing in the market.
• Customers tend to buy ISI-certified products as it ensured safety and standard quality. Hence, with the certified products, you can win the confidence and trust of the buyer.
• With the word of mouth of such a client list, you can establish your credibility in the market.
• Hence, with the renowned brand, you can raise the standard and benchmark the market value of the product.