Ordinary Portland Cement - IS 269:2015

BIS Certification for Ordinary Portland Cement - IS 269:2015

Introduction to the Standard - IS 269:2015 (Ordinary Portland Cement)

IS 269:2015 “Ordinary Portland Cement – Specification (Sixth Revision)” is the national Indian Standard published by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) that covers production, chemical, physical and labelling requirements of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC).

This standard applies to OPC of grades 33, 43 and 53 and including sleeper-grades (43S and 53S) that is manufactured by grinding of clinker, gypsum and permissible performance-improver materials such as fly ash, slag, silica fume, limestone and rice-husk ash.
OPC is the most common binding material in concrete, mortar, stucco, blocks and pavements that makes compliance with IS 269 crucial for manufacturers serving for both domestic and foreign manufacturers.

Purpose / Why BIS Certification Is Needed for IS 269

In the market of construction and infrastructure the product quality, safety, performance and regulatory compliance are paramount. Key reasons for obtaining the BIS certification or using the ISI Mark as per IS 269 include:

• Under the Cement (Quality Control Order), 2003 (S.O. 191(E) dated 17 Feb 2003) specifies that the cement products covered under IS 269 cannot be manufactured or distributed until they must conform to the specified Indian Standard issued under BIS act.
• Certified products give more confidence to buyers, construction firms, production agencies and government tenders for selling as if their product meets the required parameters like (finely tested physical/chemical limits and strength).
• For manufacturers, BIS certification gives market access (domestic regulatory compliance) and can serve as a quality of mark when comes for exporting to global buyers.

Therefore, for both (domestic & foreign manufacturers) of OPC aligning with IS 269 and acquiring BIS license is mandatory for business or regulatory necessity and not an optional function.

BIS Certification Process for IS 269 or any other product

To obtain BIS certification or to use the ISI Mark as per IS 269 for Ordinary Portland Cement, or for any other product:
Visit-
For foreign manufacturers
For domestic manufacturers

Documents Required for BIS Certification

Manufacturers who are seeking for BIS licence for Ordinary Portland Cement as per IS 269 should prepare documentation as listed below:

• Administrative details: Factory registration, ownership particulars, manufacturing locale, technical responsibility flow-chart, production capacity.
• Technical details: Process flow of production (clinker to grinding), list of raw materials (calcareous/argillaceous, silica, alumina, iron oxides), list of performance improvers used, test methods adopted, lab equipment list.
• Quality Control Personnel details: Names, qualifications and experience of QC / QA staff, lab manager, testing technicians; organisational chart showing QC responsibility.
• Quality Control Manual / Plan: Internal test schedule, sampling plan, corrective action procedures, record-keeping of test results, traceability of batches.
• Labelling & Packaging details: Bag material, marking details as per IS 269 (including grade, Standard Mark licence number, batch date, etc.
• Commercial and financial details: Production plan, sales territory, annual planned volume, export intent (if any), cost of licensing fees.
  Manufacturers should ensure that all the documents are aligned with BIS audit & checklists.

Applicable BIS Scheme (ISI / CRS / Scheme X / FMCS)

For Ordinary Portland Cement as per IS 269 the relevant certification scheme is the ISI Certification Scheme – Scheme I of BIS.
Key aspects:

• The Standard Mark (ISI Mark) can be used only after the grant of licence through BIS.
• Scheme X (another unique Licence) it is generally for special cases and not for OPC manufacturers.
• CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) is mainly for electronics/IT products and not for cement.
• FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme) can be used for foreign manufacturers who are aiming to sell in the Indian market.

Testing & Labelling Requirements

Testing Requirements

As per IS 269, the manufacturers must ensure that Ordinary Portland Cement meets the major parameters mentioned below:
Chemical tests

• Insoluble residue, loss on ignition, maximum limits for chlorides, sulphur content, magnesia, free lime, etc.
  Physical tests
• Fineness (by sieving or Blaine air-permeability)
• Initial and final setting time
• Soundness (Le Chatelier method or autoclave)
• Compressive strength (for grades 33/43/53) at specified curing periods
• Transverse strength test (optional as per agreement between purchaser & manufacturer)
  The standard also emphasises that the in-house laboratory of the manufacturer must be properly maintained with relevant test equipment, calibrated instruments, keeping record and competent personnel.

Labelling & Packaging

As per IS 269:2015:

• Cement must be packed in strong bags (paper, polypropylene as per context) and each bag should be legibly and permanently marked with manufacturer’s name, grade of cement (33/43/53/S), net weight, Standard Mark licence number, manufacturing batch or date.
• The Standard Mark (ISI Mark) may be applied only if the manufacturer holds a valid BIS licence. Packaging and marking must conform to the licence conditions.
• Storage and handling instructions are made to avoid damage, moisture ingress and loss of quality must be followed.