July 2026 - MPR India Certification

BIS Extends 2026 Compliance Deadline for LED Luminaires

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has announced an extension to the implementation timeline for revised requirements affecting LED luminaire products under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). The updated BIS certification deadline gives manufacturers, importers, and other market participants additional time to align their products with the revised standard before mandatory compliance takes effect.

According to the latest notification, the mandatory implementation date has been moved from 02 August 2026 to 02 February 2027, granting stakeholders an additional six months to complete the necessary certification and compliance activities. This extension follows the earlier BIS notification issued on 10 February 2026, which introduced revised standards for lighting products covered by the CRS. LED luminaire products usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

Revised Timeline for Covered Lighting Products

The extended implementation period applies to several categories of lighting products that fall within the scope of the revised BIS requirements. These include Fixed General Purpose Luminaires, Recessed Luminaires, Street Lighting, Floodlights, Handlamps, Lighting Chains, Emergency Lighting, and Self-Ballasted LED Lamps.

The previous transition plan required compliance with the revised standard by early August 2026. With the publication of the latest notification, businesses now have until 02 February 2027 to ensure their products meet the updated technical and certification requirements before the revised standard becomes mandatory.

Implications for Manufacturers and Importers

The extension provides companies involved in the production, import, and distribution of LED lighting products with additional time to prepare for the revised regulatory framework. Manufacturers can use the extended period to review product designs, complete testing where necessary, update technical documentation, and coordinate certification activities with recognized laboratories and registration authorities.

Although the implementation deadline has been postponed, businesses should continue planning for compliance to avoid delays in market access once the revised requirements become mandatory. Early preparation can help minimize certification bottlenecks and support uninterrupted product availability in the Indian market.

Companies supplying lighting products to India should monitor future BIS notifications for any additional guidance or clarifications regarding the revised standards and the implementation of the Compulsory Registration Scheme. Further regulatory information may also be available through official BIS publications and certification resources.

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.

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For more information about BIS certification, please refer to our free brochure “BIS Certification Made Easy“.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Düsseldorf publishes expert interview with MPR International on certifications in South Korea

The IHK Düsseldorf has published an expert interview with Erik Hirsch, Country Manager Korea at MPR International, marking the 15th anniversary of the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement in July 2026. In the interview, Hirsch explains why technical requirements and product certifications remain a decisive factor for successful market entry for exporters, despite the largely eliminated tariffs.

Regulatory planning is a competitive advantage in Asia

The EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement has significantly facilitated trade between both markets. Nevertheless, before exporting, manufacturers must verify which local certification and approval requirements apply to their specific product. There are hardly any blanket simplifications: the required procedures differ depending on the product group and area of application. Erik Hirsch emphasizes in the interview that companies should incorporate their certification strategy into product development and export planning as early as possible. A timely assessment of requirements helps to avoid delays, additional costs, and risks during market entry.

Relevance also for exports to India

This insight applies not only to South Korea. For the Indian market, too, an early regulatory assessment is an essential component of a reliable market entry strategy. Depending on the product and area of application, relevant requirements may include BIS certification, PESO approval for explosion-proof products, radio approvals such as WPC or TEC, or other sector-specific regulations.

MPR International regularly contributes its regulatory expertise to the foreign trade dialogue, for example through webinars in cooperation with Chambers of Commerce and Industry as well as through technical publications. For instance, MPR International co-authored the guide “Successful BIS Certification in India – 3rd Edition” together with the AHK India. The article by IHK Düsseldorf is thus part of an ongoing professional exchange on product certification and market access in key Asian target markets.

MPR International supports manufacturers in identifying requirements for India and other Asian markets at an early stage and in implementing certification projects in a planned manner.

You can find the full article by the IHK Düsseldorf here (in German):

15 Jahre EU-Korea-Freihandelsabkommen: Zertifizierungen bleiben eine Herausforderung für Exporteure

For a customer-specific assessment of certification requirements for the Chinese market, MPR International is happy to assist you.

India Suspends Key WPC Licenses Under Regulatory Update

India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has suspended the processing of several Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) licenses with immediate effect. The WPC license suspension affects Dealer Possession Licenses (DPL), Non-Dealer Possession Licenses (NDPL), and Manufacturing and Testing Licenses, impacting companies that manufacture, test, stock, distribute, or otherwise handle regulated wireless equipment in India.

The measure was announced in Official Memorandum No. R 11018/13/2026-PP dated 2 July 2026. Under the announcement, the processing of both existing and new applications for these license categories has been halted until further notice. The affected applications will later be processed under a new regulatory framework and revised regulatory requirements. Wireless and radio frequency (RF) equipment usually requires WPC licensing or Equipment Type Approval (ETA), depending on the applicable regulatory category, in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

Pending Applications to Transition to a New Regulatory Framework

According to the DoT, all pending and future applications for DPL, NDPL, and Manufacturing and Testing Licenses will remain suspended until the new framework enters into force. Companies planning to manufacture, possess, distribute, or test wireless equipment in India should therefore expect delays in licensing procedures and adjust their compliance schedules accordingly.

The DoT also clarified that application fees already paid will not be lost. Instead, submitted fees will be adjusted in accordance with the forthcoming regulatory framework once the revised licensing system is implemented. Businesses with ongoing projects should retain all application records and supporting technical documentation to facilitate the transition when the updated procedures become available.

The suspension forms part of India’s broader modernization of telecommunications regulation and is expected to support the implementation of revised licensing provisions under the country’s evolving regulatory framework.

ETA Self-Declaration Process Continues Without Changes

While the affected license categories have been suspended, the DoT confirmed that Equipment Type Approval through Self-Declaration (ETA-SD) for products operating in license-exempt frequency bands will continue under the existing process. Manufacturers and importers of products using technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other short-range radio systems operating in delicensed bands can therefore continue submitting ETA-SD applications without interruption.

Companies should carefully determine whether their products require one of the suspended WPC licenses or remain eligible for the ETA-SD route. Businesses relying on DPL, NDPL, or Manufacturing and Testing Licenses should monitor forthcoming DoT announcements closely, as the new regulatory framework will define future application procedures and compliance requirements. Further regulatory updates and certification guidance are expected as the revised licensing framework is introduced.

WPC certification is necessary for wireless products in order to be used and sold in India.
The national broadcasting authority WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) is responsible for this certification, in order to regulate the issuing of issuing of amateur radio licenses and the allocation and monitoring of the frequency spectrum.

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). There is no cost or obligation for us to check for you. If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.

For more information about WPC certification, please refer to our free brochure “WPC Certification Made Easy“.

DoT Extends 6GHz Wi-Fi Compliance Deadline

India Extends WPC ETA Transition Deadline for 6 GHz Wi-Fi Devices

India’s Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced an extension of the deadline for the withdrawal and replacement of certain Equipment Type Approvals (ETA) related to 6 GHz Wi-Fi devices. The revised deadline for completing the regulatory transition is 6 July 2026, providing additional time for manufacturers, importers, and OEMs to update their approvals in line with the latest WPC requirements.

The extension is particularly relevant for wireless products operating in the 5925–6425 MHz frequency range, which corresponds to the 6 GHz Wi-Fi band. Companies with affected products should use the additional time to review their certification status and ensure compliance with the updated framework. Wi-Fi devices usually require WPC certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

Updated WPC Requirements for Existing ETA Holders

The regulatory update affects equipment that supports operation in the 6 GHz band but currently holds an active ETA covering only the 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz frequency bands. In such cases, existing approvals must be revised through a two-step process.

First, companies are required to submit a technical cancellation request for the existing ETA. The request must be sent to the designated WPC email addresses and should include the current ETA number, the new ETA reference, and details of the product make and model.

Following the cancellation process, applicants must submit a new ETA application through the WPC online portal. The new application should accurately reflect all operational frequency bands supported by the device, including the 5925–6425 MHz spectrum used for 6 GHz Wi-Fi functionality.

Implications for Manufacturers and Market Access

The extension offers valuable additional preparation time, but businesses should not assume that compliance activities can be delayed indefinitely. The transition requires both manual administrative steps and the submission of a fresh certification application, which may involve processing times and additional technical documentation.

Manufacturers, importers, and distributors supplying wireless networking equipment to the Indian market should verify whether any products in their portfolio include 6 GHz Wi-Fi capability. Failure to update approvals before the revised deadline could result in certification discrepancies that may affect importation, distribution, or market access.

The WPC certification framework plays a central role in regulating radio-frequency devices in India and ensuring that wireless products operate within authorized spectrum allocations. Companies planning to continue marketing 6 GHz-enabled devices in India should complete the required certification updates well before 6 July 2026 to maintain regulatory compliance and avoid potential disruptions.

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). There is no cost or obligation for us to check for you. If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.

For more information about WPC certification, please refer to our free brochure “WPC Certification Made Easy“.

India Updates BIS Compliance: Transition from Scheme-I to Scheme-II

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in India has introduced a significant regulatory update regarding quality control compliance. This new transition facilitation order allows manufacturers to shift from BIS Scheme-I to Scheme-II for a defined list of products currently covered under existing Quality Control Orders (QCOs). By enabling this transition, the government aims to streamline certification processes for specific supply chains under the oversight of a newly formed implementation committee.

Understanding the Transition Mechanism

The transition process is specifically designed for supplies directed toward entities that have secured explicit permission from the DPIIT. To manage this regulatory adjustment, an implementation committee—consisting of representatives from the DPIIT, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), and other relevant departments—has been established. This body is tasked with evaluating applicants based on several critical criteria, including technical capability, historical compliance records, robust quality assurance systems, and supply-chain management controls. Furthermore, the committee will prioritize applicants who demonstrate a long-term commitment to enhancing India’s domestic manufacturing, design, and research and development capabilities.

Implications for Manufacturers and Market Access

This regulatory change provides a 24-month window from the date of commencement for eligible manufacturers to submit their applications. The order is set to remain in force for a period of five years, subject to potential extensions by the Central Government. Manufacturers operating in sectors such as toys, footwear, air conditioners, and various household electrical appliances must carefully assess their eligibility and alignment with the committee’s requirements to leverage this transition. Various industrial goods usually require BIS Certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

Practical Uncertainty: What Manufacturers Should Know

It currently remains unclear how this process will work in practice. While the transition is described as a simplified pathway to Scheme-II approval, the volume of documentation referenced in the official announcement significantly exceeds what is required for a standard BIS CRS application. In this regard, the documentation burden is expected to be more comparable to that of a BIS ISI certification under Scheme-I.

It is also unclear when the first applications will actually be processed. The official announcement states that processing will commence within 24 months of publication. This means that manufacturers hoping to benefit from the simplified procedure should expect considerable delays before their applications are even reviewed.

This is a critical consideration for market entry planning. While avoiding the factory audit required under Scheme-I (BIS ISI) may represent a meaningful cost saving, the opportunity cost of a delayed market entry by several months or potentially years can far outweigh those potential savings. Manufacturers should therefore carefully evaluate the opportunity cost of waiting and plan their market entry strategy accordingly.