LABORATORY RECOGNITION SCHEME (LRS) 2021-11-08T07:53:12 2021-11-08T09:41:05 Aleph Accreditation & Testing Centre Pvt Ltd.

Aleph Accreditation & Testing Centre Pvt Ltd.

LABORATORY RECOGNITION SCHEME (LRS)

INTRODUCTION

The Laboratory Recognition Scheme is governed by the provisions under Section 13 (4) of the BIS Act 2016 and Rule 32 of the BIS Rules, 2018. These statutory provisions give the BIS the authority to recognize any laboratory in India or elsewhere to conduct sample testing and other functions related to the use of the Standard Mark. BIS runs a Product Certification Scheme to protect consumers' interests. The BIS grants permit to producers who can produce goods continuously in accordance with relevant Indian Standards. Testing is an important part of product quality evaluation, thus it's important to have the relevant testing facilities on hand. For this, BIS has established 8 laboratories of its own in the country for the testing purpose of samples.

The Bureau has established guidelines for the recognition and de-recognition of laboratories in this system. The BIS also keeps a list of laboratories that it recognizes for testing samples of items or processes against applicable Indian Standards.

LABORATORY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (LAC)

The Laboratory Advisory Committee of the Bureau of Indian Standards is one of the six statutory advisory committees of the Bureau and advises BIS on policy matters relating to the establishment and operation of its laboratories and other laboratory-related matters. LAC members are Bureau members. The LAC advises BIS on policy matters relating to:

1. Establishment, operation, and expansion of laboratories.
2. Testing activities to support the research and development program of the Bureau.
3. Participation in National and International Accreditation System for testing and also for calibration.
4. Formulation of guidelines for facilitating the Bureau in recognizing any laboratory in India or abroad for testing and associated activities.
5. Other related laboratory matters.
   

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR LABORATORY RECOGNITION?

CRITERIA FOR RECOGNITION OF LABORATORIES IN INDIA:

(A) Accreditation:

The laboratory seeking recognition shall have accreditation to IS/ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO/IEC 17025 in the respective field of testing, such as Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, and Microbiological, as applicable. The accreditation body (through which the Accreditation is taken by the applicant lab) shall be a full member of Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (APLAC) and/or International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC).

(B) Laboratory:

1. The laboratory shall be manned by regular, qualified, and competent personnel.
2. The lab will have complete in-house test facilities for the relevant Indian Standard. It shall be fully equipped to test the product strictly in accordance with test methods given in the relevant Indian Standards with exemptions such as Specialized test for which limited facility is available in the country or the test which are not routinely required, e.g. radioactive test in packaged drinking water and pull out a test in HSD / TMT bars. The exceptions will be specifically considered and allowed by the Competent Authority on the merit of the case.
3. In case of breakdown of testing facility, subcontracting may be allowed by BIS till the equipment is repaired or for a period of six months, whichever is less. The sub-contractor shall be accredited as per IS/ISO/IEC 17025, or ISO/IEC 17025, or a BIS recognized lab for the same parameter. Under any exceptional circumstances subcontracting may be permitted by BIS on the merit of the individual case.
4. Availability of adequate electrical power and water supply, where such inputs are required for testing.
5. The lab shall give a declaration regarding applicable statutory clearances.
6. The lab shall be independent, without having linkage to any organization or its subsidiary, which is a licensee under BIS Product Certification Scheme. If there is any perceived conflict of interest due to any reason, recognition will not be granted.
7. All testing-related activities, including receipt and preparation of samples and all activities relating to contract review, shall be carried out on a single premise. Hence the lab should have adequate and proper space as well as infrastructure for storage of samples before and after testing on the same premise.
8. The fee as prescribed by BIS from time to time shall have to be paid by the laboratory.
9. Travelling and stay expenses of the auditors shall be borne by the auditee laboratory as per entitlement of the auditors.

(C) Testing Charges:

The testing charges declared by the laboratory for the relevant Indian Standards for which lab is recognized shall be valid for a period of three years. However, in the event of any revision of the Indian Standard or issuance of an amendment to the Indian Standard, the revision of testing charges shall be considered and made effective with the prior approval of the Competent Authority.

CRITERIA FOR RECOGNITION OF OVERSEAS LABORATORIES:

1. Accreditation: The criteria as laid down at (A)
2. Laboratory: The criteria as laid down at (B)
3. Testing Charges: The criteria as laid down at (C)
4. The test certificate issued by the lab shall have reference to its accreditation status/logo of Accreditation Body and also reference to its ILAC/APLAC membership.
5. The overseas laboratories shall set up a liaison/branch office located in India with permission of the Reserve Bank of India, which shall meet all liabilities with respect to the BIS Act, Rules, and Regulations for BIS recognition. The requirement to set up an office in India shall not apply if BIS enters into an MOU with the respective Foreign Government for implementation of BIS Act, Rules and Regulations including the punitive provisions, or if the Overseas lab nominates an Authorized representative located in India who declares his consent to be responsible for compliance to provisions of BIS Act 1986, Rules and Regulations on behalf of the laboratory as per Terms & Conditions of the Agreement signed between BIS and the overseas lab. The Authorized Representative may either be in charge or a senior officer of the Indian office or a legally appointed agent of the overseas laboratory in India.
6. Travelling and stay expenses of the auditors shall be borne by the auditee laboratory as per entitlement of the auditors. The per diem allowances to the auditors as applicable shall be paid by the auditee lab to BIS as per Govt. of India/BIS Rules as amended from time to time.

REQUIREMENTS FOR LABORATORY RECOGNITION SCHEME

• Legal Identity of the laboratory
• Certificate of Registration by Company Registrar and Memorandum of Articles in case laboratory is a Limited Company
• Partnership Deed in case laboratory is a Partnership entity
• Authenticating premises of the laboratory
• Documents authenticating the legal identity of the overseas laboratory
• For the purposes of legal identity, a governmental laboratory is deemed to be a legal entity based on its governmental status
• Certificate of registration under shop and establishment act
• Certificate of registration under the Goods & Service Tax Act

PROCESS FOR LABORATORY RECOGNITION SCHEME

1. Submit application – The laboratory recognition scheme starts with the collection of the required documents. Application is submitted in the designated laboratory of the BIS having jurisdiction to deal with cases.
2. Scrutiny of application – BIS Laboratories officials will verify the documents. The application must conform to the BIS Requirements. If the application conforms to the requirements then the officer will record it for further process.
3. Audit – Auditor will be appointed as per the requirement related to the BIS. The laboratory would get information on the audit team within seven days. The BIS would normally conduct the audit 15 days after getting such certification.
4. Recognition - The auditors would decide if the laboratory conforms with the rules for the laboratory recognition scheme after conducting a preliminary audit. They must adhere to the terms and conditions if they have enabled the laboratory to be recognized. Once the auditor gets satisfied, the Laboratory Recognition Scheme certificate will be granted.

Timeline – 30 working days

Renewal - Laboratory Recognition Scheme certificate valid for 3 years, this depends upon the amount of fee paid by the applicant.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Q1. WHAT IS LABORATORY RECOGNITION SCHEME?

The Laboratory Recognition Scheme is a type of conformity assessment that ensures that the laboratory's standards fulfill the standards set forth by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Q2. WHO HAS THE MAIN AUTHORITY FOR THE LABORATORY RECOGNITION SCHEME?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the responsible authority for the laboratories recognition scheme.

Q3. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE LABORATORY RECOGNITION SCHEME?

The benefits of the laboratory recognition scheme are recognition, compliance, and conformity assessment.

Q4. WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR LABORATORY RECOGNITION SCHEME?

• The laboratory must be accredited to some institute which must be approved by BIS.
• Must conform to the Indian Standards.
• Laboratories must be impartial, would have no prejudice.

HOW TO APPLY FOR LABORATORY RECOGNITION SCHEME?

To get a complete idea about the laboratory recognition procedure and hustle-free business, contact us. We Aleph INDIA have been facilitating fortune 500 companies for a decade. Visit Aleph INDIA to know more about the BIS laboratory recognition Scheme. You may also reach Aleph INDIA toll-free helpline at 08048036869/ +919990136656 for a quick response.