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“.

Updated BIS Standard for Audio/Video and ICT Equipment in India

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has formally initiated the transition from IS 13252: Part 1: 2010 and IS 616:2017 to the updated IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 standard, as detailed in a Gazette notification dated November 7, 2025. This move introduces a newly defined product category while allowing for a concurrent period during which the old and new standards will remain in effect. The revised standard, IS/IEC 62368-1:2023, titled “Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment – Part 1: Safety Requirements,” will fully replace IS 13252 and IS 616 after November 1, 2028. Audio/Video and ICT products usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

The shift to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 brings several advantages, including the unification of AV and ICT safety requirements into a single framework, which eliminates redundancies and simplifies compliance. The new standard also enhances compatibility with international IEC norms, improving global trade prospects and market accessibility. Additionally, it supports emerging technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR). MeitY has allowed a three-year transition period for current license holders, following extensive consultations with industry stakeholders. Comprehensive migration guidelines for both existing and new BIS licensees are expected to be released in the near future.

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“.

Revised Deadline Announced for BIS Standard Implementation for Uninterrupted Power Supplies in India

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has extended the deadline for the mandatory implementation of the revised standard IS 16242 (Part 1): 2025 / IEC 62040-1:2017, including amendments 1:2021 and 2:2022 (CSV format), applicable to Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS) and similar products. Originally scheduled for enforcement by 19 November 2025, the implementation deadline has now been pushed to 19 November 2026. This extension was formally communicated through circulars issued on 21 August and 10 October 2025, with all other terms remaining unchanged.
Uninterrupted Power Supplies and similar products usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

Manufacturers—both existing and new—as well as those altering their scope of registration, must ensure compliance with the updated standards by the revised deadline to maintain their BIS licenses.

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 Issues New Safety and Marking Requirements for LED Modules

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has announced a revision of the standard governing LED modules used in general lighting applications. The updated regulation, IS 16103 (Part 1):2025 / IEC 62031:2018, replaces the previous version, IS 16103 (Part 1):2012, and will be enforced starting January 21, 2026. Key changes in the new standard include the introduction of definitions for various types of LED modules, updated marking requirements, the addition of safety tests such as abnormal temperature and photobiological safety testing, and changes related to voltage marking and luminaire design. After the implementation date, the previous version will be withdrawn and licenses not complying with the new requirements will be subject to cancellation. LED modules used in general lighting usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

BIS certification is a mandatory compliance system under Indian law to ensure product safety, quality, and performance. For electrical components like LED modules, manufacturers must demonstrate conformity with the applicable IS standards through testing by BIS-recognized laboratories. Both existing licensees and new applicants must align with the updated IS 16103 (Part 1):2025 standard before the final implementation date to obtain or retain certification for market access 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“.

India Extends Implementation Dates for Polycarbonate, Ethylene Dichloride, Vinyl Chloride Monomer

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has officially extended the implementation dates for three Quality Control Orders (QCOs) under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. According to the latest government notifications issued on 16 September 2025, the following QCOs will now take effect on 12 September 2026. The affected chemicals are Polycarbonate, Ethylene Dichloride and Vinyl Chloride Monomer.
Many chemicals require BIS Certification in order to be approved for import and sale into 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“.

India Revises Compliance Deadlines for Six Chemical Quality Control Orders

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, through a series of notifications published in the Gazette of India on April 25, 2025, has amended the Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for several chemical substances. These include Lauric Acid, Acid Oil, Palm Fatty Acids, Rice Bran Fatty Acids, Coconut Fatty Acids, and Hydrogenated Rice Bran Fatty Acids. Each amendment introduces a revised enforcement date—now uniformly set to October 24, 2025. These updates follow consultations with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and are deemed necessary in the public interest under Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016. The amendments are formal continuations of previously issued QCOs originally notified between 2022 and 2024. Many chemicals usually require 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 Revises Safety Standard for LED Modules, Sets Transition Deadline for Compliance

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has revised the safety standard IS 16103 (Part 1):2012 and reissued it as IS 16103 (Part 1):2025 / IEC 62031:2018. This updated standard governs safety requirements for LED modules used in general lighting. Notably, both the 2012 and 2025 versions will remain valid concurrently until January 21, 2026, after which the earlier version will be withdrawn.
LED lights usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

The revised standard introduces new definitions for replaceable, non-replaceable, and non-user-replaceable LED modules. The marking requirements have been overhauled, including changes to built-in module markings and working voltage indicators. Annexe B has been removed, and additional safety measures—such as abnormal temperature and photobiological safety tests—have been added. Licensees are required to submit updated test reports and declarations of compliance for their models. New applicants may apply under either standard until the deadline, provided they commit to transitioning to the 2025 edition. Changes to licence scope will follow the same rules as new applications.

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“.

Aadhaar 2025: L1 Certification now mandatory for all Registered Devices in India

As of January 1, 2025, only Level-1 (L1) certified Registered Devices (RD) are permitted for Aadhaar authentication in India. Aadhaar is the country’s national digital identity system, which uses biometric and demographic data to provide residents with a unique 12-digit identification number. This shift marks a full transition from the earlier Level-0 (L0) devices to the more secure and standardized L1 category. Manufacturers and importers are now required to complete the migration, which includes adapting firmware, secure element (SE) designs, and PCH components to meet the updated specifications. The Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) authority oversees this transition and continues to operate the Biometric Device Certification Scheme (BDCS), which also includes certification processes for QR code scanners. RD devices usually require STQC certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

The move to L1 aims to strengthen the security and integrity of Aadhaar-based biometric authentication by enforcing uniform compliance across device hardware and software. Manufacturers must align with the latest guidelines issued by UIDAI, which define the updated performance and data protection standards under the Registered Devices 2.0 framework.

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)