Registrations

Shop Act Registration
The Shop and Establishment Act regulates the shops and commercial establishments operating within the state. Every state has its own Shop and Establishment Act (“Act”). However, the general provisions of the Act are the same in all states. The Labour Department of the respective states implements the Shop and Establishment Act. 

Shops are generally defined under the Act as the premises where the selling of goods take place either by retail or wholesale or where services are rendered to customers. It includes offices, godowns, storerooms and warehouses used in connection with the trade or business. 

Commercial establishments are generally defined as a commercial, banking, trading or insurance establishment or administrative service in which persons are employed for office work. It includes a hotel, boarding or eating house, restaurant, cafe, theatre, or other public entertainment or amusement places. However, factories and industries are not covered by the Act and are regulated by the Factories Act, 1948 and Industries (Development and Regulation) Act 1951.

Process For Obtaining Shop and Establishment Registration

The procedure for obtaining the Shop and Establishment Registration Certificate differs from state to state. It can be obtained online or offline. 

For obtaining the registration certificate online, the proprietor or owner of the shop or business must log into the respective State Labour Department website. The proprietor or owner must fill the application form for the registration under the Shop and Establishment Act, upload the documents and pay the prescribed fees. The prescribed fees differ from state to state. Once the registration form is approved, the registration certificate will be issued online to the proprietor or owner of the business. For obtaining the registration certificate offline, the registration application is to be filled and submitted to the Chief Inspector of the concerned area along with the prescribed fees. The Chief Inspector will issue the registration certificate to the owner or proprietor after being satisfied with the correctness of the application. 

The registration application form contains the details relating to the name of the employer and establishment, address and category of the establishment, number of employees and other relevant details as required.  

Validity of Shop And Establishment Registration 

The validity and fees of the Shop and Establishment Certificate differs from state to state. Some states provide the Certificate valid for a lifetime, while other states provide the Certificate valid for one to five years. The registration application needs to be renewed before the expiry of the period of registration. 

Food License Registration (FSSAI)
FSSAI Registration Process – Documents Required, Benefits, Penalty

FSSAI registration is one of the most important registration required by every person involved in the food business, such as persons who wish to open a restaurant, bakery, hotel, cloud kitchen or food stall in India. Every Food Business Operator (FBO), such as entities or persons involved in manufacturing, preparation, selling, transportation, distribution and storage of food articles/products, are also mandatorily required to have an FSSAI registration to carry on their food business.

FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It is an organisation that monitors and governs the entire food business in India. It is an autonomous body that is established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act) which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India. It ensures the food products undergo quality checks thereby curtailing the food adulteration and sale of sub-standard products. It is responsible for the registering and licensing of the FBOs in India and it lays down the rules and regulations for running the food business in India.

Types of FSSAI Registration

FSSAI registration is based on the business types, turnover and capacity of production. Depending upon the installed capacity and turnover, FBOs are eligible for license such as basic license, central license, and state license.

• FSSAI Basic Registration – FBOs having a turnover of less than Rs.12 lakh p.a must obtain FSSAI basic registration. The FSSAI registration form that the applicant has to fill to obtain FSSAI basic registration is Form A.
• FSSAI State License – FBOs having a turnover of more than Rs.12 lakh p.a and less than Rs.20 crore p.a must obtain the FSSAI state license. The FSSAI registration form that the applicant has to fill to obtain an FSSAI state license is Form B.
• FSSAI Central License – FBOs having a turnover of more than Rs.20 crore p.a must obtain the FSSAI central license. The FSSAI registration form that the applicant has to fill to obtain FSSAI central license is Form B.

FSSAI Registration Eligibility

FSSAI Registration is a basic license and it is required for all the FBOs involved in the small-scale food business. This category covers the following businesses:

• Any FBO with an annual turnover of not more than Rs. 12 lakh.
• Petty retailer dealing in food products.
• Any person who manufactures or sells any food article by himself.
• Food sale is done by the temporary stall holder.
• Any individual who distributes food in any religious or social gathering except a caterer.
• Small-scale or cottage industries dealing in the food business.
• Small businesses having the following food capacity limits:

 ISO Registration 

What Is the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international nongovernmental organization made up of national standards bodies. The ISO develops and publishes a wide range of proprietary, industrial, and commercial standards and is comprised of representatives from various national standards organizations.

Who Approves ISO International Standards?

The ISO standards are internationally agreed upon by experts in the related fields. These are people who know what their industries need, individuals such as manufacturers, sellers, buyers, customers, trade associations, users, or regulators.

What Are the 2 Most Popular ISO Standards?

The two most popular ISO standards are ISO 9001 and 14001. 9001 provides criteria for quality management systems, while 14001 provides criteria for environmental management systems.

What Is an Example of an ISO Standard?

Some examples of ISO standards include the calibration of thermometers, food safety regulations, and the manufacturing of wine glasses. ISO standards also cover shoe sizes, musical pitches, security management, and environmental management.

What Is ISO 9000?

ISO 9000 is a standard that focuses on quality management and quality assurance. The standard is used by companies to develop and maintain their quality systems. The goal of ISO 9000 is to apply to companies in all industries. Areas of focus include relationship management, customer focus, and leadership.

ISI Mark Registration 

What is ISI (Indian Standard Institute) Mark Registration?

The ISI Certification mark or ISI Registration is given to the industrial items including goods/articles/process/systems or services etc. and the mark indicates that the said item is adhering to the standard given by the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS), which is the national standard body of India. Taking the ISI Registration for some items is voluntary but there are more than 346 products for which taking the ISI Registration is compulsory as per the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, and without getting ISI Registration for those products the manufacturer will not be able to sell them in market.

Why Should the Manufacturer get the ISI (Indian Standard Institute) Mark Registration?

The importance and reasons of getting the ISI (Indian Standard Institute) Mark Registration from the point of view of the manufacturer are given below.

• Getting the ISI (Indian Standard Institute) Mark Registration will give reliability to your products in the market.
• It will provide a competitive edge over other manufacturers and will make your access to the market easier.
• It will enhance the goodwill of the manufacturer which will result in making your market bigger every day.
• It will enhance the satisfaction among the customers.
• It will result in reducing the wastage of items and it will also decrease the manufacturing costs to a certain level.
• The ISI Certified products will be counted among the list of quality products, which will increase the chances of getting them sold easily.
• There are some products that cannot be sold without getting the ISI (Indian Standard Institute) Mark Registration, so it will reduce the wastage of products and money.
• It will provide the products to the market with a guaranteed card of safety and quality.

 Import Export Code Registration (IEC)

In this age of cut-throat competition, everyone wants to grow their business beyond the limits of the domestic market. Doing business globally is more easy now-a-days due to the advent of internet and technology. However, before going business globally, you need to follow several procedures and laws and get various registration and license. IEC (Import Export Code) license is one of such prerequisites when you’re thinking of importing into or exporting from India. It is also known as Importer- Exporter Code.

IEC (Import Export Code) is required by anyone who is looking to kick-start his/her import/export business in the country. It is issued by the DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade). IEC is a 10-digit code that has lifetime validity. Predominantly importer merchants cannot import goods without the Import Export Code and similarly, the exporter merchant cannot avail benefits from DGFT for the export scheme, etc., without IEC.

 Situations where IEC is required

• When an importer has to clear his shipments from the customs then it’s needed by the customs authorities.
• When an importer sends money abroad through banks then it’s needed by the bank.
• When an exporter has to send his shipments then it’s needed by the customs port.
• When an exporter receives money in foreign currency directly into his bank account then it’s required by the bank.

Udyam Registration (MSME) 

Udyam Registration (earlier known as Udyog Aadhar) is a government registration process that certifies MSMEs with a unique identification number and a certificate. The sole motive behind the launch of the Udyam Registration was to grant benefits to all the MSMEs registered under this process. If you own a medium, minor, or micro-enterprise, you should consider registering your MSME via Udyam Registration to reap countless Udyam Registration benefits.

Benefits of Udyog Aadhar/ Udyam Registration

• Anyone may obtain the Udyam Registration for the enterprise.
• Udyam Registration/ Udyog Aadhar Registration will be an enterprise’s permanent Registration and primary identification number. There will be no need for renewal of Registration.
• The process for Udyam Registration is fully digitalized and Paperless. There is no need to upload any document, and it’s based on self-declaration.
• Any activities, including manufacturing, service, or both, may be specified or added in one Registration.
• The registration process is free. No Costs or Fees are to be paid to anyone.
• An e-certificate, namely, the “Udyam Registration Certificate.” shall be issued online on completion of the registration process. This certificate has a dynamic QR Code from which details about the enterprise can be accessed.
• The online system is fully integrated with Income Tax and GSTIN systems, and details on investment and turnover of enterprises are taken automatically from Government databases.
• Along with the Udyam Registration, Enterprises may simultaneously register themselves on GeM (Government eMarket place, a portal for G to B) & SAMADHAAN Portal.
• MSMEs can also be onboard on the TReDS Platform through three available platforms.

Sanstha Aadhar Number Registration (SAN) 

What is Business Registration Number / Sanstha Aadhar Number Registration?

In Rajasthan, a Business Registration Number (BRN) is also known as Sanstha Aadhaar Number (SAN). The SAN is a 16-digit number that gives an institution a unique identity. Rajasthan government has created a unique way to encourage small and big businesses by giving them BRN/SAN registration numbers. BRN and SAN registrations play an important role in promoting investor confidence, enabling access to financial services and facilitating partnerships between the public and private sectors. BRN and SAN registration reflects the commitment of the Government of Rajasthan to promote sustainable development, innovation and social progress in various sectors of the economy.

Benefits of Business Registration Number / Sanstha Aadhar Number Registration:

Registering for a Business Registration Number (BRN) or Sanstha Aadhaar Number (SAN) in Rajasthan offers many benefits to businesses and non-profit organizations. 

Here are the list of some important benefits:

Legal Recognition: Obtaining a BRN or SAN provides legal recognition to your business or non-profit organization, establishing its validity in the eyes of the law and enabling it to operate within the regulatory framework.

Taxation Benefits: BRN and SAN registration is often a prerequisite for obtaining a tax identification number such as the Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN) or the Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Increase Reliability: Having a BRN or SAN increases the reliability and credibility of your business or organization in the eyes of customers, suppliers, investors and other stakeholders.

Provides banking and finance facilities: Banks and financial institutions may require BRN or SAN registration documents when opening business accounts, applying for loans, or seeking other financial services.

Government Contracts and Tenders: Registered entities are often given preference when bidding for government contracts and tenders. BRN or SAN registration increases eligibility to participate in government procurement opportunities, expanding business or organizational prospects.

Regulatory Compliance: BRN and SAN registration ensures compliance with government regulations and requirements, reducing the risk of legal penalties or fines for operating without proper authorisation.

Trademark Registration (Brand Registration) 

Trademark Registration In India – An Overview

Trademark Registration is key for businesses to protect their Intellectual Property. Registering gives you Brand Protection and the sole Legal Rights to your symbol, logo, or name. Always do a Trademark Search before registering. This ensures no other trademarks could cause Infringement. For your application, you’ll choose Trademark Classes and send it to the Trademark Office. Consulting a Trademark Attorney can make the process smoother. After registering, you can use the Trademark Symbol. Do not forget to meet Renewal deadlines to keep your rights. This whole process strengthens your Brand Identity and stops others from copying.

What Can You Register As a Trademark?

In India, you can register diverse items as trademarks. They can include brand names, logos, words, slogans, sounds, smells, colors, or any unique sign. These trademarks should distinguish your goods or services from others. This helps maintain your business identity and protect it from misuse.

Why Is Trademark Registration Important?

Trademark registration in India is crucial as it protects your brand and prevents others from using similar signs. It gives you legal rights to your brand, boosts your brand’s value, and assures customers about the quality of your products or services. It also helps in brand recognition and trust-building among customers.

Trademark Classes

There are 45 trademark classes and all the goods and services are categorised across these classes. You need to be very careful while picking the classes as it will determine the validity of your trademark registration for your business’ products/services. If your business operates across different goods/services that fall under different classes, you have to ensure that you can apply for a trademark online under all the applicable classes.

Types of Trademark Registrations in India

Under the Trademark Act of 1999 there are different types of trademark registrations available in India and some of them include:

Pattern Mark

• A Pattern Mark is characterised by a distinctive pattern capable of identifying products or services originating from a specific source, making them discernible from others  Examples of pattern Mark Include iconic Louis Vuitton checkerboard pattern

 Label Trademark

• A label trademark is one which protects the label/packaging of a product and the trade dress of the same to ensure the protection of the entire packaging/label of a product which is unique and distinctive to any business and acts as a recogniser/identifier of a brand
• One of the famous brand who has trademarked their label is Coca Cola ’

3D Trademark

• Three-dimensional trademark is a non-conventional trademark which makes use of the three-dimensional shape of a product or its container to achieve distinction in the marketplace
• It must meet the requirements outlined in u/s 2 (1) (zb), which indicate that in accordance with Section 9 of the Trademarks Act – which outlines that the mark must be visually representable and distinguishable from other goods and services.
• The form of the Zippo lighter, the curve of a Coca-Cola bottle, are some examples of 3D trademarks

Slogan/Tagline

• Trademarked Slogans are creative and distinctive phrases that immediately reminds the consumer of the product
• Trademarked Slogans offers exclusive rights for the brands to use them in their advertising campaigns
• Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ is a perfect example of a slogan trademarked

Device Trademark

• Device trademarks are visual elements that are used to create unique and recognisable representation
• These trademarks have artistic elements such as symbols and a word mark and can be a combination of both.
• The iconic PUMA’s symbol is a classic example of a Device trademark