India Mandates BIS Compliance for CCTV Cameras by 2026
16. April 2026India’s regulatory landscape for surveillance equipment is tightening as BIS compliance becomes a mandatory requirement for CCTV cameras. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has officially ended previous relaxations, signaling a stricter enforcement phase under the Compulsory Registration Order (CRO). This move marks a significant shift for manufacturers and importers relying on transitional provisions to maintain market access.
With the issuance of an Office Memorandum dated 16 January 2026, MeitY has withdrawn all exemptions related to Essential Requirements (ERs) for CCTV cameras. These relaxations had previously allowed certain non-compliant products to remain in circulation under defined timelines. However, authorities have now confirmed that no further extensions will be granted, effectively closing the transition window for legacy products. CCTV cameras and similar products usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.
End of Transition Period for Non-Compliant Products
One of the most notable changes is the termination of the stock clearance period for CCTV cameras that do not meet ER standards. Earlier provisions permitted the sale of devices manufactured or imported before 9 April 2025, even if they lacked full ER compliance. This allowance has now been revoked, removing any remaining flexibility for outdated inventory.
Effective 1 April 2026, only CCTV cameras that meet the prescribed Essential Requirements and hold valid certification will be permitted for sale in the Indian market. This applies uniformly across domestic manufacturers, importers, and distributors. The update reinforces the government’s intent to ensure that all surveillance equipment adheres to defined safety, security, and performance benchmarks.
Compliance Implications for Market Access
The withdrawal of relaxations places immediate pressure on stakeholders to align with BIS ER certification requirements. Companies that fail to comply risk losing access to one of the world’s fastest-growing electronics markets. As a result, manufacturers must review their product portfolios, assess compliance gaps, and initiate certification processes without delay.
From a regulatory standpoint, ER compliance is designed to enhance product reliability and cybersecurity resilience, particularly for devices involved in surveillance and data capture. The stricter enforcement also reflects broader national priorities around digital infrastructure security and consumer protection.
Businesses operating in or entering the Indian market should ensure that their certification strategies are updated in line with the new deadline. This includes verifying technical documentation, conducting necessary testing, and securing approvals before the April 2026 cutoff. Additional regulatory guidance and updates may be available through official certification bodies and compliance advisory 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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