BIS CRS Registration of Video Camera (With or Without Display) IS 616:2017
Page Contents (7)
Video cameras are common in both professional and consumer settings. From indie filmmakers to everyday users these devices are used by everyone. But before they can be legally sold or distributed in India they need to meet certain safety and quality benchmarks. That’s where the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) comes into play for video cameras that meet the definition of “finished product”
Under Indian regulations, video cameras (with or without display) must be registered under IS 616:2017 before they move into the Indian marketplace. This requirement applies whether the product is made domestically or imported.
What Is Covered Under IS 616:2017?
IS 616:2017 is a broad Indian standard titled Audio, video and similar electronic apparatus – Safety Requirements. It applies to a range of products where electrical safety, insulation performance, and user risk need formal control.
For video cameras, this standard ensures that the device:
- Is electrically safe to use
- Meets basic fire and insulation performance requirements
- Operates without presenting a hazard to consumers or professionals
- Has been tested under conditions that simulate real use
Video cameras can be standalone devices or ones with built-in displays. Regardless of form, safety requirements remain the same. This standard applies to finished products, not components alone.
Why CRS Registration Is Mandatory.
India’s Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) was introduced to curtail the import and sale of unsafe or low-quality electronic products. Under CRS, certain categories of electronic and IT products must be registered with BIS before they are placed into the market. BIS registration is not voluntary for these listed items — it is legally binding.
Video cameras were added to the CRS list effective October 1, 2021, and enforcement began in April 2021 after a transition period. From that point onwards, companies cannot sell, import, or distribute these cameras unless the product is registered and bears the BIS Standard Mark (Registration No. R-####).
If products enter India without BIS registration:
- Customs can hold or reject the shipment
- Retailers may refuse stock
- Sellers can face regulatory penalties
In short, no RIS number, no entry into the Indian electronics market.
Get Free Consultation!
Who Needs to Apply for BIS CRS Registration
For a video camera model to be compliant with IS 616:2017 under CRS, someone must take legal responsibility. That person or company varies depending on where the product is made.
Domestic Manufacturers
If the cameras are made in India, the manufacturer must apply directly to BIS for CRS registration. The licence will refer to the manufacturing location and brand under which the products are sold.
Foreign Manufacturers
If the cameras are made abroad, the manufacturer must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR). This Indian entity is responsible for the application and correspondence with BIS. Importers often serve this role on behalf of overseas brands.
It’s important to note that the BIS CRS licence is issued in the name of the manufacturer, not the importer or brand owner, unless the importer is also the AIR with proper authority.
Documents and Basic Requirements
Before one even starts the application process, a few essentials must be in place:
- Completed BIS application forms
- Business and manufacturing details
- Brand or trademark information
- Product specifications and user manual
- Test reports from a BIS-recognised lab
- Signed authorization letters (for AIR scenarios)
The testing aspect is often a stumbling block. Reports must come from an accredited laboratory in India and they usually need to be fairly recent (often within three months) to be accepted. Waiting too long before submitting can require retesting which adds time and cost
How the BIS CRS Registration Process Works
While the steps are fairly standard for many electronic items, here is what typically happens for a video camera:
1. Online Application
The manufacturer or AIR files the initial application through the BIS portal with basic product and company details
2. Product Testing
Samples of the camera are shipped to a BIS-approved lab to ensure they meet all applicable safety requirements of IS 616:2017
3. Document Submission
Test reports and supporting documents are submitted to BIS
4. Review by BIS
Officials check whether all data, reports and forms conform to requirements.
5. Grant of Registration
If all is in order BIS issues a CRS Registration Certificate allowing the product model to carry the BIS mark
6. Valid Registration
The registration is typically valid for two years and can be renewed before expiry
Practical Points to Watch
Based on experience in compliance work, there are a few recurring issues applicants run into:
- Choosing a lab that is not BIS-recognised or whose accreditation is expired.
- Delays in test report turnaround leading to report expiry.
- Mislabelled product photos or specifications that don’t match the physical sample.
- Failure to specify multiple models under a series guideline, which can require separate submissions.
Getting these details right early prevents repeated resubmissions and delays.
Final Thoughts
For anyone in the video gear business — whether selling camcorders, professional video units, or consumer capture devices — BIS CRS registration under IS 616:2017 is a legal must in India. Passing the tests isn’t usually hard for quality products, but the paperwork and procedural compliance are what slow many applicants down.
It pays to plan ahead, understand the lab requirements and line up documentation before starting the process. In the regulated world of electronics, compliance is as much about preparation as quality.
About the Author
View ProfileNishi Chawla
Content Writer & Compliance Specialist
Nishi is an expert content writer with expertise in Business Legal Compliances, Certifications, and Registrations — BIS, EPR, Medical Devices, Cosmetics, Drugs, and Import Export. She holds a B.Com from the University of Delhi and has been writing industry content since 2019.
