IS 9000 (Part XII) (ELECTRONICS- ENVIRONMENTAL TEST FACILITY)

Industry Outlook

Indian Standard IS 9000 Part 12 includes specifications with respect to basic environmental testing procedures for electronic and electric items. This standard was adopted by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) proceeding to the finalization of draft by Environmental Testing Procedures Sectional Committee which had been approved by Electronics and Telecommunication Division Council.

Since, it includes basic environmental testing procedures for electronic and electric items, which is one of the largest markets, with the market size expected to grow by 73.7 billion in 2022 for electronic products and USD 33.74 billion during 2021-2025 for electric products, respectively. 

The increasing market size of electronic and electric products reflects a scope of expansion for manufacturers and importers, although it does not fall under the mandatory requirements, yet being experts of the compliance industry, we would advise you to ensure conformance with compliance requirements as provided in the IS 9000. 

Since, a tested and certified product would not only help in retaining customers, but will also provide competitive advantage, which will further help in growth and expansion. With that, a tested and certified product ensures safety and reliability of the products. 

For a better understanding of why product testing is important, let’s have a look at why product testing is crucial.

Why is Product Testing Crucial | Importance of Product Testing

• One of the most important purposes of testing is quality assurance of a product that reflects high quality, safety, and reliability.
• Product testing allows the manufacturer to ensure the conformance with established technical standards to produce high quality and safe products.
• Build reputation and maximize the profit, considering that a tested product indicates quality assurance. 
• Helps in retaining customers, thus, providing a competitive edge.
• Helps in understanding distinct types of stress a product can endure, be it in case of weather, wear tear, and other conditions.
• In the initial prototyping stage, if you are trying to avail investment in order to manufacture your product in mass quantities, a tested product can allow you to achieve patent and investors as it shows the quality and functionality of the product.

With the benefits of product testing, we can clearly estimate how testing ensures quality assurance and product credibility. Since, it has been established how essential product testing is, now let’s move to the benefits of complying with standards.

What Are the Benefits of Complying With Standards?

Complying with standards offers numerous benefits to manufacturers and importers of the product, that further helps in building trustworthiness and reliability, thus retaining the customers.

Why, don’t we look at other benefits of the same -

• A certified product acts as a shield against penalties and fines which could be imposed for not certifying a product.
• A certified product serves as an evidence that a product has been tested and certified as per prescribed standards.
• A certified product provides a sense of security and safety to the consumers, thus ensuring easy acceptance.
• It provides a competitive advantage over competitors.
• Easy market acceptance as a product is tested and certified.
• Confirm the unmatched quality standards.
• Seamless to file government tenders.

With these benefits of ensuring conformance with IS 9000 standards and specifications, a manufacturer can establish that a product is safe, reliable, and credible, thus, confirming to unmatched quality standards.

Scope of IS 9000 (XII)

As provided, IS 9000 Part 12 includes specifications with respect to test procedures to conduct the dust test on electronic and electrical products as a part of the basic environmental testing procedures. 

Aspects Associated to IS 9000 Part 12

1. Test Apparatus Description 

1. Dust chamber

Below mentioned is the description of dust chamber for the test to be carried out -

• The test chamber must comply with the requirements provided in the relevant standards.
• The dust chamber must possess the ability to circulate in working space in a manner to produce dust concentration adequate to the deposit 25 +/- 5 grams of dust.
• The dust chamber must have the ability to maintain the working environment at the temperature of 40 +/- 3-degree celsius with the relevant humidity below 50%. Moreover, the chamber must also satisfy the requirements for a dry heat test chamber.

2. Dust measuring device

The dust measuring device can be placed anywhere in the chamber and air should be circulated in the chamber for 5 minutes, thereafter should be adequate to allow the dust to settle. It is to be noted that the amount of dust collected in the device should be 25 +/- 5 grams.

2. Characteristics of Dust

The dust used in the test chamber should be dry and should be heated at 40 +/- 3-degree celsius prior to the commencement of agitation of dust in the chamber. Moreover, an adequate quantity of dust should be available in the chamber with the purpose to ensure dust concentration in the chamber. 

3. Initial Measurements

The item must be visually, electrically, and mechanically inspected as provided in IS 9000 Part 12.

4. Conditioning

• The apparatus will be tested in an unpacked and switched off condition. 
• The apparatus under test should be introduced in the laboratory in atmospheric conditions and the adequate quantity of the dust should also be introduced in the chamber.
• The temperature of the chamber should be raised to 40 +/- 3-degree celsius and the relative humidity should not be maintained over 50%.
• Once the test stability has been achieved, the test will be subjected to a stream of dust laden air for the duration of an hour.
• If needed, the item would be switched on and operated during the duration of the test.
• Then, the dust circulation would be discontinued and the temperature of the chamber would be restored to the atmospheric condition.

5. Recovery 

The test apparatus would be removed from the chamber and will remain in the recovery conditions for the duration of 2-4 hours.

6. Final Measurements

The item must be visually, electrically, and mechanically inspected as provided in IS 9000 Part 12.

How We Help Ensuring Conformance With IS 9000 Specifications?

• We will educate you concerning every aspect of IS 9000.
• We will check whether a product falls under the purview of BIS or not, including whether a product complies with the BIS standards or not, then, after mutual understanding, the project will move forward. 
• There is no better place to obtain it than JR Compliance because we will analyze the product requirements to give clear guidelines.
• JR Compliance has experienced expert professionals, who can assist you in the documentation, evaluation, and examination.
• We are equipped with the necessary resources to conduct a virtual pre-audit to confirm whether your manufacturing unit and production process are complying with provided specifications or not. 
• JR Compliance will schedule a meeting with the BIS officer for a factory audit.
• If you lack an in-house testing facility, we will help you in setting up one.
• We will coordinate with a BIS accredited laboratory for product testing.
• You can expect reliable and punctual service delivery as we will also visit the BIS office on your behalf if required.
• We invest our sustained efforts to meet the startled queries or demands of BIS.
• In case of any concern, we assure to provide the finest solution.

Conclusion

IS 9000, an Indian Standard applicable to electrical cables, which are usually used in the Mining industry and metro industries, is one of the major contributors to our economic development. Considering that, it is not only mandatory but necessary to ensure conformance with specifications mentioned in IS 9000 with the purpose to introduce your product in the Indian market.

Keeping the importance of conformance with compliance in mind, we - JR Compliance, a leading compliance service provider are equipped with experts and resources to provide you with above and beyond support to obtain a BIS certificate.

Till now, we have experience in providing compliance assistance to over 10,000+ global leaders such as Toray, Bombay Dyeing, Softbank, and others.

For details, get in touch with our experts.