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India Imposes New Import Restrictions on Digital Devices
The Government of India has recently imposed stringent restrictions on the import of Laptops, Tablets, all-in-one PCs, and certain other computer categories falling under HSN 8471. Laptops and similar products need a BIS certification in India. Even with the BIS-CRS certificates required for such products, an additional import License from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is now mandatory. As per the notification released by the DGFT, products under specific HS codes, including 84713010, 84713090, and others, will now face import restrictions.
Furthermore, manufacturers aiming to import these devices must first obtain Equipment Type Approval and an Import License from the Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) wing. Notably, the Equipment type approval through self-declaration (ETA-SD) will no longer be considered valid for this process. However, there are exemptions to these new rules. Single units of laptops, tablets, and all-in-one PCs can be imported without these licensing conditions, though this does not apply to servers. Additionally, products imported for specific purposes such as R&D, testing, benchmarking, and evaluation, or those re-imported after overseas repairs, as well as products that are integral components of other capital goods, are also exempted from these conditions.
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.
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“.
You can also find more information about WPC certification in our free brochure “WPC Certification Made Easy“.
Exemption of Repeater Parameters for Mobile Networks under MTCTE in India
A general exemption for the test parameters listed below relating to the essential requirements of amplifiers for mobile network products notified under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) is granted till June 30, 2023 or further orders. Mobile network products usually require TEC certification or also WPC certification to be approved for import and distribution in India.
The Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, prepares Indian Standards (IS) for the import of non-Indian products. The test requirements are part of the standards.
| S. No | Product Name | Parameter Name (according to basic requirement) | Standard Name (according to basic requirement) |
| 1 | Repeater for cellular network | GSM Repeater Station Operation Frequency | NFAP.Annex-F |
| GSM Repeater Station Parameter | 3GPP TS51 .026 und TS 45.005. Annex-F6 | ||
| WCDMA Repeater Station Parameters | 3GPP TS 25.143. Annex-F7 | ||
| WCDMA Repeater Station Operation Frequency | NFAP.Annex-F | ||
| LTE Repeater Station Operation Frequency | NFAP.Annex-F |
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 and TEC certification, please refer to our free brochures “WPC Certification Made Easy” and “TEC Certification Made Easy“.
FAQ on the Quality Control Order for Footwear
As part of the mandatory BIS certification forfootwear starting in July 2023, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) answered a number of frequently asked questions regarding the new QCO (Quality Control Order) also published in July of 2023.
BIS publishes a Quality Control Order (QCO) for all products requiring certification. After this publication the BIS-ISI certification ofthose products will be mandatory. After the QCO comes into effect, none of the affected products may be imported into India without first successfully completing the certification process.
Among other, the FAQ on “QUALITY CONTROL ORDERS FOR FOOTWEAR PRODUCTS” provides the following information:
- Which categories of footwear are affected by the QCO:
- Personal protective equipment
- Leather and other materials shoes
- Shoes made of solid rubber and solid plastic.
- Manufacturers of products with recently changed standards will be given 6 months implementation time to respond to QCO’s:
- Sports shoes (falls under IS 15844 (Part 1 and Part 2):2023)
- Hawaii Chappal (falls under IS 10702:2023)
- Sandal and slipper (falls under IS 6721:2023)”
- Manufacturers who have several production plants must have all plants certified in which shoes that are exported to India are produced.
Other questions answered in the FAQ include:
- Different types of shoes are manufactured in my factory. Do I have to apply for a separate certification for each model?
- Do QCOs only apply to finished footwear or also footwear components/materials?
- Do I have to test my certified shoes regularly after receiving the license?
- Do I have to do the tests mentioned in the Indian Standard myself or can I contract them out to a BIS approved lab?
- And more…
For more information, please contact us directly.
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.
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 Guideline for Parallel Testing of Electronic Products
As a pilot project, parallel testing and certification was introduced for mobile phones only. BIS certification requirements are relevant for mobile phones including critical components such as cell, battery and adapter.
The applications received in the last six months have been relatively low. BIS has decided to expand the pilot project to include two more product categories.
1. Wireless headphones and earphones
2. Tablet/Laptop/Notebook
The process for the BIS registration (CRS) can be lengthy due to the number of product tests and component tests required. With parallel testing, battery testing can be initiated as soon as the BIS-approved testing laboratory releases the cell report, and host product testing can be initiated as soon as the BIS-approved laboratory releases the battery report, without waiting for the battery to be BIS-registered. Thus, the overall certification time can be shortened.
Guidelines for the implementation of parallel tests:
1) This refers to Registration/Guidelines RG: 01 dated December 15, 2022, regarding “Guidelines for Grant of Licence (GoL) under Conformity Assessment Scheme II of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018” and Registration Guidelines RG:01 dated December 16, 2022.
2) These guidelines allow for the parallel testing of electronic products covered by the BIS compulsory registration scheme (CRS). These guidelines are voluntary in nature and manufacturers will continue to be able to submit applications for registration to BIS sequentially according to the existing procedure.
3) All components that must be registered under the CRS can be tested in parallel in one of the BIS-approved laboratories. In parallel testing, the laboratory will test the first component and issue a test report. This test report number, together with the name of the laboratory, will be included in the test report of the second component. This procedure is also used for the subsequent components and the final product.
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.
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“.
Deadline Extension for BIS-ISI Certification IS 15490: 2017 of CNG Tanks
The implementation deadline for BIS-ISI certification to IS 15490:2017, which relates to “Seamless Steel Cylinders for On-Board Storage of Compressed Natural Gas as a Fuel for Automotive Vehicles”, has been extended. The deadline for compliance with the amendment, originally set for June 2, 2023, is now June 2, 2024. This deadline extension for the BIS certification is due to requests from manufacturers and users.
In June 2021, Amendment No. 1 was published together with guidelines for its implementation. While the extension allows additional time for implementation, all relevant organizations are encouraged to promptly notify licensees and applicants and ensure that Amendment No. 1 is fully implemented within the new deadline.
Despite the extension, it is important to note that the other provisions and instructions contained in Circular No. CMD-III/16: IS 15490, issued on 7 July 2021, remain unchanged. Manufacturers and users should therefore continue to adhere to the existing guidelines and requirements of the circular.
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.
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“.
Changes to the Mandatory Certification of Tires in India
On June 20, 2023 the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a notification, G.S.R. 453(E), announcing the Central Motor Vehicles (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2023. These rules are an amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, which in turn are fundamental to AIS certification and will come into force on their publication in the Gazette. The amendment affects the tire specifications for C1, C2 and C3 motor vehicles, which going forward must be tested in accordance with the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) AIS-142.
The implementation deadlines for the changes are as follows: From January 1, 2024, new and already certified tires must comply with the rolling resistance and wet grip requirements. From October 1, 2024, the same tires will then also have to meet the rolling sound requirements. As required by the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, objections and suggestions could be made during the update; however, no responses were received from the public on the proposed changes.
These amendments aim to improve safety and environmental standards by regulating the quality and performance of tires for motor vehicles. Rolling resistance and wet grip requirements ensure better control and handling, especially on wet road conditions, while rolling noise standards aim to minimise noise pollution caused by tires. With these changes, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways aims to improve overall road safety and reduce the environmental impact of vehicles on Indian roads.
AIS stands for Automotive Industry Standards, the technical automotive standards for India, while TAC stands for Type Approval Certificate. This kind of automotive product certifiation is conducted by authorities like the International Center for Automotive Technology (iCAT).
Depending on the product category, there are different certification steps. We will be happy to advise you on certification in India like AIS, BIS, WPC, TEC or PESO and are always available to answer your questions.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details and consultation. You can contact us via e-mail, or call us (UK: +44 2071931135, Rest of Europe: +49 69 2713769261, US: +1 773 654-2673).
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)
You can also check out our free AIS-Brochure, which can be downloaded right here as a PDF file.
New MTCTE Criteria for Routers, LAN Switches and DWDM Equipment
India’s Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) announced on April 18, 2023, the approval of new certification criteria for issuing provisional certificates under the MTCTE (Mandatory Testing Certification of Telecommunication Equipment) guidelines. Wireless radio and telecommunication equipment typically requires TEC certification to be imported and operated in India.
These include special test conditions for routers, LAN switches, and for Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) equipment as long as they meet the following specifications:
- Single-phase or three-phase operation with current requirements ≥ 32A OR
- Operation on 48 V DC with a current requirement ≥100A.
Conditions include mandatory test reports to be submitted from laboratories with ILAC accreditation for EMI/EMC and safety parameters. Safety parameters must be guaranteed by a Self-Declaration of Conformity (SDOC) from the manufacturer.
For such products, the above parameters may be exempted and a provisional TEC certificate, valid for two years, may be issued. The applicant shall provide the specifications related to voltage, amperage and power requirements for such products in the Bill of Materials (BOM) file submitted with the MTCTE application.
At the time of the announcement of the security requirements (Indian Telecommunication Security Assurance Requirements – ITSAR) for LAN switches and DWDM equipment, the conversion of the provisional certificate into an integrated MTCTE certificate must be applied for, including security tests.
The date for submitting MTCTE applications for router products with security tests has already been set for July ,1 2023.
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 TEC certification, please refer to our free brochure “TEC Certification Made Easy“.
Deadline Extension for BIS-ISI Certification IS 9436 of Automotive Wheel Rims
The Indian Ministry of Heavy Industries in New Delhi has issued a new order postponing the implementation date for the mandatory BIS-ISI certification for automotive rims by another six months. The initial implementation date had been set for June 22, 2023, but has now been postponed to December 22, 2023.
The Ministry of Heavy Industries has made this amendment in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in the interest of manufacturers to accommodate the pandemic-related delays. The ministry continues to focus on the development and regulation of the automotive industry in India with the amended regulation. Through stricter quality control measures, the government aims to increase consumer confidence and safety with vehicles available in India.
The amendment reflects the government’s commitment to improving safety and quality standards across the automotive sector, but at the same time taking into account the feasibility of approval on the manufacturer side. This ultimately benefits both manufacturers and consumers.
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.
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“.
Merging of IS 13252-1 and IS 616 to IS/IEC 62368-1 in India
Under BIS certification electronic and IT products and audio/video equipment were previously covered by the standards IS 13252-1 and IS 616 respectively. BIS has proposed to combine these two standards under one base standard IS/IEC 62386-1. This change has already been made in most countries around the world, where IEC/EN 62368 is the recognized standard.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) plans to publish IS/IEC 62368 version 4.0 in July or August 2023. After publication, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will hold consultations with stakeholders for the implementation of the standard in India.
To facilitate compliance with this change, BIS has proposed a two-year period for both IS/IEC 62368-1 and the existing standards (IS 13252-1 and IS 616). During this period, manufacturers and stakeholders will be expected to comply with both standards.
BIS will provide guidance for implementation once the standard is published.
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.
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“.
New Regulations for TEC Marking
The Ministry of Telecommunications and Electronics (MoTE) in India has announced a new notice on the labeling of products under TEC certification. The updated guidelines designed to ensure consumer safety and compliance with quality standards, were released on May 22, 2023. The initiative is an important step in the Indian government’s ongoing efforts to protect consumers and promote responsible manufacturing practices in the telecommunications industry.
The notification requires manufacturers and importers to include essential information on product packaging, including the Indian Standard Mark, which indicates compliance with quality standards.
In addition, a period of 6 months was introduced during which the products must be marked in accordance with the regulations. This period starts from the date of issuance of the certificate.
Under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules of 2017, there is a mandatory certification and testing requirement for telecom products in India. TEC certification must be completed before import into India. In this process, the products must comply with the regulations called “Essential Requirements” (ER). Imported products must also be tested in accredited test laboratories 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). 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 TEC certification, please refer to our free brochure “TEC Certification Made Easy“.
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