Rapid Hardening Portland Cement - IS 8041:1990

BIS Certification for Rapid Hardening Portland Cement - IS 8041:1990

Introduction to IS 8041 (Rapid Hardening Portland Cement)

Rapid Hardening Portland Cement (RHPC), also known as the High-Early Strength Portland Cement, is designed to attain the high compressive strength within a shorter curing period as compared to Ordinary Portland Cement. This cement is widely used in fast-track construction, road pavements, precast concrete units and many other areas where formwork must be removed early.

Indian Standard IS 8041:1990 specifies about the chemical composition, physical properties, manufacturing process, testing requirements, packing and marking guidelines for Rapid Hardening Portland Cement. As according to the latest regulatory requirements, only BIS certified “rapid hardening cement” can be manufactured, sold or imported in India.

Purpose & Why Certification Is Mandatory

Under multiple government instruments like BIS Act 2016, BIS Rules 2018 and the Cement (Quality Control Order) notified by DPIIT, stated that all the manufacturers of Rapid Hardening Portland Cement are legally required BIS certification (ISI Mark) for their product before commercial sale.

BIS Certification is Mandatory to:

• Ensure the reliable quality and standard-grade cement.
• Prevent substandard products that compromise public safety.
• Authorize the use of ISI Mark on cement bags.
• Enable smooth sale in Government projects and other infrastructure.
• Allow both Indian and foreign manufacturers to legally sell their product in India.
   

Manufacturing Requirements as per IS 8041

As per IS 8041, Rapid Hardening Portland Cement must be produced by:

• Intimately mixing calcareous and argillaceous materials with silica, alumina or with iron oxide sources.
• Clinkering at suitable temperatures.
• Grinding the final clinker with gypsum only (natural or chemical)
• Only up to 1% of air-entraining or no other harmful additives can be used.

After burning, no other material can be added except gypsum, water, or permitted additives.

BIS Certification Process to Obtain BIS ISI Mark for IS 8041 or for any other product:
For Foreign Manufacturers
For Domestic Manufacturers

Documents Required for obtaining a BIS Licence as per IS 8041 (Rapid Hardening Portland Cement)

Administrative Documents

• Company registration + manufacturing license
• Factory location details & process flow chart
• Authorized signatory / AIR documents (for foreign applicants)

Technical & Quality Documents

• Raw material specifications & source compliance
• Test reports, equipment calibration certificates
• In-house lab layout + manpower competence (QC personnel)

Commercial Documents

• Product details, packaging info, production capacity
• Undertaking for ISI mark usage

Fees payment proofs
 

Applicable BIS certification Scheme

✔ CRS (Electronics), Scheme X (Recycling), and others do not apply to cement.

Testing & Quality Requirements (Mandatory Tests)

Each batch must comply with IS 8041 through the testing as per BIS methods. The primary tests include:

Chemical Tests

• Insoluble Residue
• Loss on Ignition

Physical Tests

• Fineness
• Setting Time (Initial & Final)
  ✔ Transverse strength test is optional based on buyer-manufacturer agreement.

A BIS-approved in-house laboratory or testing facility is mandatory for certification and for production control.

Labelling, Packing & Marking Requirements

According to IS 8041:

• Cement must be packed in standard bags with manufacturer name, grade, net mass and IS 8041 marking.
• Only BIS-certified units can display the ISI Mark (Standard Mark).
• Misuse of the ISI mark is punishable offence under the BIS Act, 2016.