🛠️ BIS, QAR, QAN & International Certifications Required for DGMS Approvals – Complete DGMS Notes

Under the DGMS Approval Policy (Second Revision 2016), manufacturers must submit specific national and international certifications to prove the safety & reliability of equipment used in mines. These certifications ensure:

• Compliance with Indian Standards (IS/BIS)
• Explosion protection (FLP / IS / EX categories)
• Quality control at factory level
• Safety in hazardous underground mining environments

This blog explains BIS, QAR, QAN, IECEx, ATEX, and ISO requirements in simple OME-style.

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🔹 1. Why Certifications Are Mandatory for DGMS Approval?

Because mining equipment operates in:

• Methane-rich (CH₄) atmospheres
• Coal dust explosion zones
• High voltage areas
• Shock & fire-prone environments

DGMS certification ensures: 

 ✔ Equipment meets global safety standards
✔ Manufacturer maintains continuous quality control
✔ No unsafe product enters Indian mines
✔ Underground coal operations remain protected

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🔹 2. BIS – Bureau of Indian Standards

BIS certification ensures that equipment conforms to Indian Standards (IS). ⭐ Which items need BIS?

• Helmets (IS 2925)
• Shoes (IS 15298)
• Electrical cables (IS 1554 / IS 7098)
• Flameproof equipment (IS/IEC 60079-1)
• Intrinsically safe circuits (IS/IEC 60079-11)
• Cap lamps
• Switchgear

⭐ Mandatory for DGMS:

• BIS License Copy
• BIS Test Reports
• IS compliance drawings

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🔹 3. QAR – Quality Assurance Report 

⭐ What is QAR?

A DGMS-approved quality audit report of the manufacturer’s factory. Issued by:

• BIS, LCS auditors, DGMS panel auditors, or certifying bodies

⭐ Verifies:

• ISO 9001: QMS compliance
• Production control
• Testing equipment calibration
• Traceability of components
• Raw material inspection
• Final quality checks

⭐ Needed for:

• Flameproof equipment
• IS equipment
• Electrical machinery
• Automation systems

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🔹 4. QAN – Quality Assurance Notification 

  ⭐ What is QAN? International-level certification of quality systems under IECEx or ATEX scheme. ⭐ Issued by:

• IECEx Body (ExCB)
• Notified Bodies (for ATEX)

⭐ Purpose: Confirms that manufacturer maintains quality to produce equipment consistently meeting Ex standards.

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🔹 5. IECEx Certification (International Explosion Protection) 

 IECEx is the global system for explosion-proof equipment. Required for:

• FLP motors
• Junction boxes
• IS communication systems
• Gas detectors
• Electrical vehicles for mines

IECEx Certificates include:

1. CoC (Certificate of Conformity)
2. QAR (Factory audit)
3. ExTR (Test report)

⭐ Why DGMS accepts IECEx? 

 Because IECEx ensures equipment meets IEC 60079 standards, same as DGMS requirement.

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🔹 6. ATEX Certification (Europe)

ATEX = “Atmosphere Explosible” (EU Directive 2014/34/EU) Required for equipment intended for:

• Zone 0
• Zone 1
• Zone 2
• Hazardous areas

DGMS accepts ATEX in combination with IS compliance.

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🔹 7. ISO Certifications Required for DGMS 

  ⭐ ISO 9001 – Mandatory Quality Management System of manufacturer. 

  ⭐ ISO 14001 – Optional Environmental management. 

  ⭐ ISO 45001 – Optional but recommended Occupational safety.

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🔹 8. Summary – Certification Requirements for DGMS Approval

Certification	Purpose	Required For
BIS License	Indian standards compliance	PPE, cables, FLP, IS items
QAR	Factory quality audit	FLP/IS equipment
QAN	International manufacturer audit	IECEx/ATEX items
IECEx	Explosion protection	FLP/IS electrical items
ATEX	European explosion protection	Imported Ex equipment
ISO 9001	QMS	Mandatory for all manufacturers

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🔹 9. Documents Submitted to DGMS with Certifications

• BIS license copy
• Ex-certificates (IECEx/ATEX)
• QAR (Factory)
• QAN (International)
• Material test certificates
• Electrical schematics
• Flameproof drawings
• User manuals
• Routine test reports

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🔥  25 MCQs (DGMS Exam Pattern) with Answers

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1) BIS ensures compliance with —

a) US standards
b) EU rules
c) Indian Standards
d) German rules
e) None
Ans: c

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2) IECEx relates to —

a) Surveying
b) Chemical analysis
c) Explosion protection
d) Drilling
e) None
Ans: c

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3) QAR stands for —

a) Quality Action Report
b) Quality Assurance Report
c) Quarry Approval Record
d) Quick Access Rule
e) None
Ans: b

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4) ISO 9001 is required for —

a) Food industry
b) Hotels
c) All DGMS approvals
d) Only laboratories
e) None
Ans: c

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5) ATEX is used in —

a) Australia
b) China
c) European Union
d) Canada
e) None
Ans: c

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6) QAN is issued under —

a) Indian Railways
b) Coal India
c) IECEx/ATEX
d) DGMS only
e) None
Ans: c

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7) Ex d refers to —

a) Dustproof
b) Waterproof
c) Flameproof protection
d) Rubber coating
e) None
Ans: c

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8) Ex ia refers to —

a) Dustproof
b) Intrinsic Safety Level “a”
c) Weatherproof
d) Ventilation
e) None
Ans: b

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9) BIS License is mandatory for —

a) All imported items
b) Specified Indian Standard items
c) Kitchen equipment
d) Wood
e) None
Ans: b

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10) DGMS uses BIS/IEC standards for —

a) Gas sampling
b) Equipment safety
c) Coal sampling
d) Weighing
e) None
Ans: b

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11) Factory audit is done under —

a) QMS
b) QAN only
c) QAR/QMS certification
d) Survey department
e) None
Ans: c

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12) ATEX applies to —

a) Open cast mines only
b) Hazardous zones (0/1/2)
c) Forests
d) Road construction
e) None
Ans: b

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13) ISO 9001 focuses on —

a) Safety
b) Environment
c) Quality Management System
d) Production
e) None
Ans: c

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14) IECEx CoC contains —

a) Sales data
b) Electrical bills
c) Explosion protection compliance
d) Coal grade
e) None
Ans: c

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15) QAN verifies —

a) Food quality
b) Factory quality compliance international level
c) Inspector attendance
d) Survey report
e) None
Ans: b

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16) DGMS accepts IECEx because —

a) European rule
b) Less cost
c) Same standards as IS/IEC 60079
d) Faster
e) None
Ans: c

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17) ATEX stands for —

a) Atomic Explosion
b) Antenna Exchange
c) Atmospheres Explosibles
d) Aeration Testing
e) None
Ans: c

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18) Quality system needed for DGMSa) ISO 50001

b) ISO 16000
c) ISO 9001
d) Opera system
e) None
Ans: c

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19) Cap lamp certification includes —

a) BIS only
b) Police verification
c) IS + QAR + Ex certification
d) Ventilation
e) None
Ans: c

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20) Certificates submitted during DGMS renewal —

a) Fuel reports
b) Updated test reports + QAR
c) Land records
d) Survey maps
e) None
Ans: b

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21) QAN in IECEx ensures —a) Food safety

b) Air purity
c) Factory’s continuous compliance
d) Water treatment
e) None
Ans: c

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22) ATEX certified equipment is safe in —

a) Kitchens
b) Homes
c) Explosion-prone areas
d) Parks
e) None
Ans: c

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23) Gas detectors require —a) Domestic test

b) Ex certification
c) Water test
d) Road permit
e) None
Ans: b

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24) IECEx ExTR stands for —

a) Export Transport Record
b) Executive Test Result
c) Explosion Test Report
d) Exit Temperature Reading
e) None
Ans: c

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25) DGMS approval requires certification to ensure —

a) Higher profits
b) Fuel savings
c) Equipment safety & reliability
d) Air cooling
e) None
Ans: c

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🔚 Conclusion 

Certifications like BIS, QAR, QAN, IECEx, ATEX and ISO 9001 form the backbone of DGMS approval.
They ensure:

• Equipment is explosion-proof
• Manufacturing quality is consistent
• International standards are met
• Workers remain safe in hazardous environments

Every manufacturer and mining engineer must understand these certification requirements thoroughly.

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