India: New product certifications in 2025

 

Starting in 2025, several important product groups will become subject to the mandatory Indian certification BIS.

Since August of last year, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced several significant new Quality Control Orders (QCOs). Scheduled for implementation between March and August 2025, these QCOs will mandate that both domestic and foreign manufacturers operating in India obtain BIS certification for a variety of new products. Once enforced, compliance will be essential for market access.

There are, among others:

• Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024
• Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2024
• Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025
• Hand Tools (Quality Control) Order, 2024
• Indutech (Quality Control) Order, 2024

Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024

 

The Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024 establishes safety, certification, and conformity requirements for machinery and electrical equipment. Issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016, the regulation aims to enhance safety, ensure product quality, and facilitate seamless market access for compliant goods.

The order applies to machines, assemblies, sub-assemblies, and components specified in its schedules, requiring them to conform to Indian Standards. However, it excludes products manufactured solely for export and construction equipment governed by the CMVR Rule 1989 under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Key Highlights of the Order

• Mandatory Certification
  Manufacturers and importers must obtain a BIS license or a certificate of conformity for all listed machinery and electrical equipment, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Conformity to Standards
  Products must meet Type A, B, or C standards as outlined in the order. In case of conflicts, Type C standards take precedence over Type A or B.
• Labeling and Marking
  Compliance with labeling, marking, and safety instruction requirements under Scheme X of the BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations is mandatory.
• Market Surveillance
  The BIS will oversee market surveillance to ensure ongoing compliance and take action against violations.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance
  Failure to comply with the order will result in penalties under the BIS Act, reinforcing the importance of adherence.

 

Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2024

 

On September 20, 2024, the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued the Safety of Household, Commercial, and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2024.

This order applies to all electrical appliances intended for household, commercial, or similar use, provided they have a rated voltage not exceeding 250V for single-phase AC or 415V for three-phase AC and are not covered by any other quality control order under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act.

The use of the Standard Mark is mandatory. The products listed in column (2) of the table must comply with the corresponding Indian Standards specified in column (3). Additionally, they must bear the Standard Mark, licensed by the Bureau of Indian Standards, in accordance with Scheme-1 of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

Implementation Timeline:

• General Implementation Date: March 17, 2025 (six months from publication).
• Small Enterprises: June 17, 2025 (nine months from publication).
• Micro Enterprises: September 17, 2025 (twelve months from publication).
• Foreign Manufacturers: Must comply with the general implementation date (March 17, 2025). The extended timelines for small and micro enterprises apply only to manufacturers based in India.

Exemptions:

This order does not apply to up to 200 units of electrical goods or articles imported annually by manufacturers of household and similar electrical appliances for research and development purposes. These products:

• Cannot be sold commercially.
• Must be disposed of as scrap.
• Require manufacturers to maintain annual records, which must be provided to the Central Government upon request.

To find out more about compliance in India and the other upcoming quality control orders, please do not hesitate to contact the Product Compliance Institute.