RESEARCH DESIGN AND STANDARDS ORGANISATION (RDSO)
[ Table Of Content ]
- Introduction
- Benefits of RDSO Vendor Approval
- Who Can Get RDSO Vendor Approval?
- Purpose of RDSO
- Documents Required for RDSO Vendor Approval
- Process of RDSO Vendor Approval
- RDSO Vendor Approval Process
- Vendor Approval by RDSO
- Steps in Applying and Processing for Vendor Approval
- Cost of RDSO Vendor Registration
- Conclusion
- BIS (CRS) Registration For Electronic Product
- Domestic Product Certification (ISI Mark)
Introduction
What is RDSO Vendor Approval?- Overview
The Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) is key in approving vendors for Indian Railways. This process ensures that the products and services supplied meet high standards of quality, reliability, and safety needed for railway operations.
Who Requires RDSO Registration?
RDSO Vendor Registration is a way for the railways to verify and approve supplies that can contribute to developing and maintaining the railway infrastructure in the country. The RDSO registration signifies compliance with the technical and quality standards set by research design and standard organization (RDSO).
Benefits of RDSO Vendor Approval
Access to a Large Market:RDSO approval opens doors to business opportunities with Indian Railways, one of the largest railway networks in the world.
Enhanced Reputation:Approval acts as a mark of quality and reliability, significantly boosting the vendor’s credibility in the industry.
Customer Confidence:Buyers trust RDSO-approved vendors as products meet strict safety and performance standards.
Preferred Vendor Status:RDSO-approved vendors are often prioritized over non-approved suppliers during procurement.
Participation in Exclusive Tenders:Vendors can participate in railway tenders and contracts reserved only for RDSO-approved suppliers.
Guidance and Technical Support:RDSO provides technical guidance to help vendors improve product quality and meet stringent railway standards.
Who Can Get RDSO Vendor Approval?
The Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) allows vendor approval for a wide range of entities that meet the required technical, quality, and compliance standards.
Indian Manufacturers:Companies based in India that manufacture railway components, equipment, or systems.
Foreign Manufacturers:International manufacturers seeking to supply approved products to Indian Railways.
Service Providers:Companies offering specialized services related to railway operations, maintenance, inspection, or consultancy.
Suppliers and Distributors:Entities supplying railway products with proper authorization from original manufacturers and compliance with RDSO standards.
Research & Development Organizations:Institutions involved in developing innovative technologies and solutions for railway applications.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs):SMEs capable of delivering quality railway products or services as per RDSO specifications.
Public Sector Units (PSUs) & Government Agencies:Government-owned organizations involved in manufacturing or supplying railway-related goods and services.
Purpose of RDSO
The Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) plays a vital role in the development, testing, and standardization of railway products, systems, and services for Indian Railways.
RDSO ensures coordination among different railway zones and departments while promoting uniform design standards, safety norms, and technical specifications across the Indian railway network.
Eligibility for RDSO Vendor Approval
Stores
Vendors
Manufacturers
Service Providers
Signal & Telecommunication Providers
Documents Required for RDSO Vendor Approval
To obtain RDSO vendor approval, applicants must submit a detailed set of documents demonstrating manufacturing capability, quality systems, safety compliance, and organizational structure as per RDSO guidelines.
Proper and complete documentation helps in smooth evaluation, avoids rejection, and speeds up the RDSO approval process.
Required Document List
Process of RDSO Vendor Approval
The RDSO vendor approval process follows a structured and systematic approach to ensure that vendors meet the required quality, safety, and technical standards prescribed by Indian Railways.
Following each step carefully helps in smooth approval, timely certification, and long-term compliance with RDSO requirements.
RDSO Approval Process Steps
RDSO Vendor Approval Process
The RDSO vendor approval process involves documentation review, application submission, verification, testing, and final certification by the authority.
| Process Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Documentation | Applicants are required to produce all relevant documents to our experts. The RDSO application form is filled only after thorough document verification. |
| Application & Verification | After document verification, an official application is filed with the RDSO licensing authority. The submitted application is further scrutinized by RDSO. |
| Testing & Approval | In certain cases, RDSO may require product samples for testing and evaluation after document verification. |
| Issuance of Certificate | Upon successful evaluation and approval, RDSO issues the vendor registration certificate or grants approval for operations with Indian Railways. |
Vendor Approval by RDSO
Design Directorates of RDSO undertake vendor approval for items controlled by RDSO. All RDSO-controlled items are classified into four major directorate categories as outlined below.
| Directorate Category | Covered Areas / Items |
|---|---|
| Civil Directorates | Bridge & Structures, Track Machine, Track Design-1, Track Design-2, Works |
| Electrical Directorates | Electric Loco, PS & EMU, Traction Installation |
| Mechanical Directorates | Carriage, Wagon, Motive Power – Diesel Loco, M & C |
| S&T Directorates | Signal & Telecommunication |
Regular purchase inspection of assigned items is mainly carried out by the Quality Assurance (QA) Directorate and one field unit of the Electric Loco Directorate located at Bhopal.
Steps in Applying and Processing for Vendor Approval
RDSO vendor approval is carried out through the IREPS portal using a structured online process. Vendors must complete registration, submit documents, undergo assessment, and receive approval as per RDSO guidelines.
IREPS Registration:New vendors can register free of charge by filling out the online registration form available under New Vendors / Contractors (E-Tender) on the IREPS portal (www.ireps.gov.in). Vendors should refer to the IREPS User Manual for detailed guidance.
Pre-Submission Requirements:Before submitting the application, vendors must obtain a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and install JAVA (JRE) on their computer.
Fresh Vendor Approval Request:After login, requests for fresh vendor approval for Indian Railways supply must be submitted through the Unified Vendor Approval Module (UVAM) on IREPS. Upon successful submission, a confirmation message is generated, and status can be tracked using the Request ID.
Vendor Registration Fee
| Vendor Category | Registration Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| Micro / Small Enterprises | ₹ 10,000 + GST |
| Other than Micro / Small Enterprises | ₹ 15,000 + GST |
| Overseas Firms | ₹ 40,000 + GST |
Fee payment must be made through e-payment to RDSO via the IREPS (U-VAM) portal, as per RDSO apex ISO Document No: Q0-D-8.1-14.
Documents to be Uploaded
Screening & Capability Assessment:After document scrutiny, RDSO officers conduct STR verification and Capability & Capacity Assessment (CCA) by visiting the firm’s premises. If non-conformity is found, the case is closed. Re-application within six months is allowed once with 50% of the registration fee.
Initial Approval by Directorate Head:Upon successful verification, vendors are approved for Developmental Orders for 24 months, subject to prototype approval, test sample clearance, and field trials if required.
Field Trials & Regular Supply:If mandated, field trials of specified quantities must be completed successfully before regular supply to Indian Railways is permitted.
Cost of RDSO Vendor Registration
The cost of RDSO vendor registration depends on the category of the firm and the number of already registered vendors for the specific item. For Indian firms, the registration fee generally ranges between INR 10,000 to INR 2,50,000.
Below is the official government fee structure for RDSO vendor registration:
For Items Having 5 or More Registered Vendors
| Vendor Category | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Indian Firms (Micro & Small Enterprises) | INR 1,50,000 |
| Indian Firms (Other than Micro & Small) | INR 2,50,000 |
| Foreign Firms | USD 12,000 |
For Items Having Less Than 5 Registered Vendors
| Vendor Category | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Micro & Small Enterprises | INR 10,000 |
| Other than Micro & Small Enterprises | INR 50,000 |
| Foreign Entities | USD 12,000 |
The registration fee must be paid online through the official RDSO / IREPS portal. Fees are subject to change as per the latest RDSO guidelines.
It takes around 20-25 days to get Vendor approval from the Research Design and Standard Organisation (RDSO).
The validity of RDSO registration is up to 2 years once approved
Conclusion
The RDSO vendor registration is an important registration for vendors working with research and development organizations under the Ministry of Railways. RDSO authorization is approved once the vendor complies with RDSO quality standards and the prescribed ISO procedure. Applicants are required to go through rigorous scrutiny to obtain vendor approval.
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