BIS Eases Testing Lab Requirements for Domestic Manufacturers

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued a circular introducing key relaxations for domestic manufacturers under its Product Certification Scheme. Notably, companies are no longer required to maintain in-house testing laboratories. Instead, manufacturers can now utilize flexible testing alternatives such as shared facilities, cluster-based testing centers, or subcontracted testing through either BIS-recognized laboratories or any ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs. Additionally, the Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT), once mandatory, is now only recommended. Manufacturers are allowed to implement their own Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) as long as it aligns with relevant Indian Standards. Many products usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

However, the relaxed norms exclude certain product groups. These include items regulated by the DPIIT and PESO, such as products requiring pre-dispatch or lot inspections, as well as cement products overseen by the DPIIT/Cement Desk. Food products, protective helmets for two-wheeler riders, and any products for which BIS certification is based on factory testing are also exempt. This regulatory update aims to ease compliance and enhance flexibility, particularly for MSMEs and those using shared infrastructure.

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.

If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)

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

WPC Expands Mandatory Licensing to Cover Smart Devices and Wireless Electronics

Following recent updates from India’s Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing, 42 new products have been added to the list of equipment requiring mandatory WPC approval under the import licensing process. These products primarily fall within the categories of smart devices, wireless chargers, IoT gateways, and other short-range radio communication equipment operating in license-free frequency bands. The updated list also includes wireless-enabled variants of commonly used electronics, such as smart speakers, barcode scanners, and point-of-sale terminals. These changes expand the scope of the existing import regulations to encompass newer technologies and product variations. Smart devices and wireless-enabled electronics usually require WPC certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

The revised product list was issued on December 20, 2023, and became effective immediately. It includes HS codes and detailed product descriptions, allowing manufacturers, importers, and compliance specialists to verify whether their products are now subject to licensing. Applicants are encouraged to use the Saral Sanchar portal for submission of license applications and to consult the updated guidelines provided by the Department of Telecommunications.

If you need assistance with your WPC Certification or have any questions, you can contact us any time. Call us directly:
EU: +49-69-2713769261
US: +1-773-654-2673
Or via email.

For more information regarding the WPC certification, please read our free information booklet “WPC Certification – The Booklet“.

Indian Authorities close at the Turn of the Year – 2025/26

At the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, Indian authorities and certification bodies will be closed.

On January 1, 2026 the authorities will be closed for the New Year’s Day. The offices will resume their work on January 2, 2026. This closure period over the turn of the year can lead to delays in certification processes.

Although New Year’s Eve is celebrated rather quietly in Korea compared to the Spring Festival, it is still a noticed time. Many state authorities will also be closed on Republic Day, celebrated in India on 26 January 2026.

MPR International GmbH will continue to support you in your certification processes in the new year. We wish you a successful New Year 2026!

Looking Back on a Successful 2025 – MPR International Thanks You for a Great Year

As 2025 comes to a close, MPR International looks back with gratitude on a successful year filled with exciting projects, strong partnerships, and valuable collaboration with our clients. We would like to sincerely thank you for your continued trust and support—your confidence in us is the foundation of our ongoing success.

Government Rescinds 2023 BIS Order for Copper Products

The Indian Ministry of Mines has officially withdrawn the Copper (Quality Control) Order, 2023, through notification S.O. 5174(E) dated November 13, 2025. This move comes under the authority granted by Sections 16, 17, and 25(3) of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. Following consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the government deemed the rescission necessary in the public interest. As a result, the earlier notification S.O. 3847(E), issued on August 31, 2023, has been rescinded, with the exception of actions already undertaken under its provisions. Copper metals and alloys usually required BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

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.

If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)

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

BIS X Certification for Machines in India: Deadline suspended – what now?

If you are planning your India compliance for machinery and equipment, you should take a close look: The Indian government has  suspended BIS certification according to Scheme X for numerous products from HS 84/85 (machines/systems including components/assemblies) until further notice. Currently, there is no binding deadline for when a Scheme X license must be available.

Timeline:

1. Mandatory start originally: 28.08.2025
2. Postponed in summer 2025: to 01.09.2026
3. Now: Deadline cancelled/suspended – no implementation deadline.

Important: The registration requirement has not been abolished. It is a temporary suspension of the deadline, not a political retreat.

Why this is no surprise

It was foreseeable that it would jerk again – for three very practical reasons:

1. Regulatory framework not yet final: For many product categories, product-specific requirements and supplementary documents are still missing. Without this, BIS cannot process applications properly.
2. Standards puzzle still in progress: Scheme X refers to Indian safety standards – but many machine-specific Type C standards have not yet been finally harmonized.
3. Machine safety is new territory for BIS: know-how and test structures are only just being established; Training programs for BIS officers are underway. That takes time.

In short, BIS needs more lead time to implement Scheme X in a practical way. That’s exactly why first postponement, now suspension.

What does this mean for manufacturers now?

✅ No immediate import/sales stop as long as there is no new deadline.

✅ Certification is still possible – and strategically smart. Applications are accepted, the first procedures are underway (especially Indian manufacturers).

⚠️ Duty is coming back. As soon as the open points have been resolved, a new deadline will be announced  – many expect it to be concretized in 2026 and implemented in the direction of 2027.

⏳ If you wait, you lose time. Document preparation often takes months, processing times can  be >12 months – and experience has shown that BIS will process the applications that have already been submitted first.

Our clear recommendation

Even without a deadline, the following applies: Prepare smartly now instead of reacting frantically later.

1. Check scope: HS codes, product lists, components.
2. Prepare technology and standards: gap analysis, documents, audit trails.
3. Start your strategy early: Finish your application – or submit it directly.

This way, you are able to act immediately when the BIS flips the switch again and do not risk any delivery failure.

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.

If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)

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

India Revokes Eight QCOs and Postpones Enforcement of PP Materials Standard

On 22 October 2025, India’s Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, officially revoked six Quality Control Orders (QCOs). These included QCOs for Lauric Acid, Acid Oil, Palm Fatty Acids, Rice Bran Fatty Acids, Coconut Fatty Acids, and Hydrogenated Rice Bran Fatty Acids. Each of these orders, originally issued in April 2022, has been withdrawn with immediate effect following consultations with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Many products usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

Additionally, the DCPC has extended the enforcement date of the QCO for Polypropylene (PP) Materials for Moulding and Extrusion. Initially notified in 2024 and amended multiple times, the order is now scheduled to take effect on 24 April 2026. In a subsequent notification dated 24 October 2025, the Ministry announced the cancellation of QCOs concerning Acrylonitrile and Maleic Anhydride, which were previously introduced in April 2022.

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.

If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)

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

BIS Standards – Implementations next Month – December 2025

We regularly publish advance information from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regarding upcoming Quality Control Orders. Affected products must be BIS-certified in order to be imported and sold in India. Several standards will come into effect over the next month, one for the chemicals p-Xylene and one for Toluene.

The Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) are mandatory regulations that ensure certain products comply with national quality standards. While BIS standards are usually voluntary, QCOs make compliance compulsory for the specified products. This is intended to protect human health, animals, and the environment, as well as to ensure product quality in India. QCOs apply to a wide range of products such as chemicals, metals, toys, and electrical goods. Violations of QCOs can result in severe penalties, including fines or imprisonment.

Below is an overview of the new Quality Control Orders that will come into force next month:

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.

If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)

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

India Reopens BIS Certification Process for Chinese Exporters

India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is reportedly preparing to lift its five-year freeze on Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) applications from Chinese manufacturing facilities. While multiple media outlets and official sources, including government officials, have indicated a policy shift, there is currently no formal announcement from BIS confirming the resumption of the certification process. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has begun collecting company-specific data on delayed certifications, pointing to increased engagement with affected manufacturers. Many products usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

Despite signs of regulatory change, significant uncertainty remains regarding the broader impact on certification procedures. It is unclear how the resumed processing of Chinese applications will affect the timelines of other manufacturers. Given the limited staffing capacity within BIS’s Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD), a sudden influx of applications is likely to result in longer overall processing times. Moreover, it is highly unlikely that all Chinese manufacturers will obtain BIS certification without difficulty. As the situation develops, industry stakeholders are advised to closely monitor further updates and prepare for potential delays.

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.

If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)

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

India – Implementation of BIS Scheme X Certification Requirement for Electrical Equipment Postponed

The Indian Ministry of Heavy Industries has announced a postponement in the implementation of the next phase of the Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Order, 2020, as amended by the Second Amendment Order, 2024. According to Notification S.O. 5038(E), issued on November 6, 2025, the enforcement date for all product categories listed in the amendment’s table—excluding those under Sr. No. 1.1(a), which took effect on November 10, 2024—has been deferred until further notice. This delay follows previous extensions granted under earlier notifications, including the latest issued on May 5, 2025. According to the original implementation plan, the affected products were to require BIS Scheme X certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

The original 2020 Quality Control Order was first notified under S.O. 4044(E) on November 11, 2020, and has since undergone multiple timeline extensions and amendments. These include S.O. 4492(E) dated October 18, 2021, S.O. 5083(E) dated October 28, 2022, and S.O. 2007(E) dated May 5, 2025. Further modifications were introduced through the Amendment Order, 2023 (S.O. 2132(E), May 9, 2023) and the Second Amendment Order, 2024 (S.O. 1896(E), May 3, 2024).

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.

If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)

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