India: BIS Issues New Guidelines for Lithium Battery Capacity Verification
9. April 2026The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released new implementation guidelines clarizing the verification of rated capacity for lithium batteries in India. This regulatory update aligns with a directive from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and introduces stricter compliance expectations for manufacturers of sealed secondary lithium-ion cells and batteries.
The guidelines specifically apply to portable sealed lithium-ion cells and batteries regulated under IS 16046 (Part 2). As part of the updated requirements, manufacturers must verify rated or declared capacity in accordance with Clause 7.3.1 of IS 16047 (Part 3):2018, which defines discharge performance testing at 20°C. Lithium-ion cells and batteries usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.
Compliance Timeline and Testing Obligations
Existing BIS licensees must ensure compliance with the new rated capacity verification requirements either by 30 April 2027 or before their licence expires, whichever comes first. Following testing, companies are required to submit test reports issued by BIS-recognized third-party laboratories. In addition, a formal declaration must confirm that all remaining product models comply with the same discharge performance criteria.
The guidelines also define sample requirements for additional testing, including 23 cells and 3 batteries per evaluation. Failure to meet these obligations within the specified timeline may result in enforcement actions by BIS, such as suspension or cancellation of licences, or removal of specific models from the approved scope.
For new applicants, the framework allows some procedural flexibility. Applications may proceed if testing is underway or already submitted, provided that applicants commit to submitting the required rated capacity verification report before licence expiry. However, this transitional allowance will end after 30 April 2027. Beyond this date, BIS will not grant new licences under IS 16046 (Part 2) unless the test report explicitly includes rated capacity verification in line with IS 16047 (Part 3).
Regulatory Impact on Market Access
These guidelines take immediate effect and signal a tightening of technical verification requirements for lithium battery compliance in India. Manufacturers and exporters must review their testing procedures and documentation practices to ensure alignment with the updated BIS framework.
The introduction of mandatory rated capacity verification is expected to enhance product reliability and standardization in the Indian market. At the same time, it increases the compliance burden, particularly for companies managing multiple product models under a single licence.
Stakeholders are advised to act promptly to meet the new deadlines and avoid regulatory disruptions. Further details on compliance procedures and certification updates may be available through official BIS communications 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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