AIS Certification

AIS CERTIFICATION

Under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR), the Automotive Industry Standards (AIS) certification is a mandatory requirement for a wide array of vehicle components critical to safety and performance. This includes items such as tyres, seat belts, horns, vehicle lights, brakes, and other essential parts that contribute to the safe operation of automotive vehicles on Indian roads. The AIS certification ensures that these components adhere to stringent quality, safety, and technical standards, safeguarding both vehicle occupants and the public. To enforce this, Rule 126 of the CMVR designates specific notified agencies responsible for issuing two key certifications: the Type Approval Certificate (TAC) and the Conformity of Production (CoP) Certificate. The TAC verifies that a component’s design and specifications comply with AIS standards, while the CoP Certificate ensures that the manufacturing process consistently produces components meeting these approved standards.

Establishment of the Automotive Industry Standards Committee (AISC)

To streamline the development and implementation of these standards, the erstwhile Ministry of Surface Transport (MOST)—now part of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)—established the Automotive Industry Standards Committee (AISC) as a permanent body. This committee was constituted through order No. RT-11028/11/97-MVL, dated September 15, 1997, with the objective of expediting the formulation of AIS standards and aligning them with the evolving needs of the automotive sector. The AISC comprises experts and stakeholders from the industry, government, and testing agencies, ensuring a collaborative approach to standard-setting.

Approval and Publication Process

The standards drafted by the AISC undergo a rigorous review and approval process by another permanent body, the CMVR Technical Standing Committee (CTSC). The CTSC evaluates the proposed standards for technical accuracy, feasibility, and compliance with regulatory goals before granting final approval. Once approved, the responsibility of publishing these standards falls to the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in Pune, which serves as the secretariat for the AISC. ARAI plays a pivotal role in documenting and disseminating these standards to manufacturers, regulators, and other stakeholders. To enhance accessibility and ensure widespread awareness, ARAI is encouraged to make these standards available on its official website, facilitating easier compliance and reference for the automotive industry.

Significance and Scope

The AIS certification framework under CMVR is a cornerstone of India’s automotive safety regime, ensuring that safety-critical components meet uniform quality benchmarks across vehicle models. Notified agencies under Rule 126—such as ARAI, the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), and others—are empowered to conduct the necessary testing and issue TAC and CoP certificates, providing an official endorsement of compliance. This certification process applies at the vehicle model approval stage and extends to ongoing production, with manufacturers required to maintain consistency in quality. The establishment of the AISC and its collaboration with the CTSC and ARAI reflect the government’s commitment to fostering a robust, standardized, and safety-focused automotive ecosystem in India. By mandating AIS certification, the CMVR not only enhances road safety but also supports the automotive industry in meeting both domestic and global quality expectations.