If your product is registered under the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) — or you are in the process of applying — this is a regulatory update you cannot afford to miss.

On 09 March 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Registration Department officially issued migration guidelines for transitioning to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023, following the MeitY Notification S.O. 4997(E) dated 29 October 2025 under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021.

The change affects 38 product categories, covers both existing licensees and new applicants, and has a firm compliance deadline of 01 November 2028. Here is everything you need to know — broken down clearly.

Why Is This Standard Being Changed?

India's electronics certification landscape is evolving rapidly. The two Indian Standards that have been in use under the CRS Scheme for years are now being replaced because they no longer fully align with international safety practices for modern, converged electronic devices.

Standards Being Superseded:

Replacing Standard:

The new standard adopts a Hazard-Based Safety Engineering (HBSE) approach. Rather than listing prescriptive rules for specific equipment types, it identifies energy sources that could cause harm — electrical, thermal, mechanical — and defines safeguards accordingly.

Key reasons for the transition:

• Aligns India's safety framework with globally accepted IEC standards.
• Better suited for modern convergence devices (smart speakers, webcams, smart TVs).
• Removes outdated product-type-specific restrictions.
• Simplifies compliance for manufacturers supplying across multiple markets.
• Strengthens consumer protection for next-generation electronics.

What Is the Concurrent Running Period?

During the concurrent running period (currently active until 01 November 2028), both old and new standards are valid simultaneously. This means:

• Existing BIS CRS licences under IS 13252 or IS 616 remain valid
• New applications can still be filed under either standard
• Manufacturers can plan and execute migration without immediate disruption

After 01 November 2028:

• IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 stand completely withdrawn for all 38 product categories.
• Any BIS CRS licence not migrated to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 will not be operative.
• No new licence or scope extension will be granted under the old standards.

Important: Products at Sl. No. 3, 16, 24, and 32 carry additional standard requirements that must be maintained alongside IS/IEC 62368-1:2023. See the section below.

Products With Additional Standard Requirements

Three product categories have dual-standard compliance obligations even after migration to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023:

For these products, two scenarios apply:

Scenario A — IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 compliance impacts the additional standard:

• Submit complete test reports for IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 AND the additional standard (IS 18112:2025 / IS 16333 Part 3 / CCTV security requirements) together

Scenario B — IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 compliance does NOT impact the additional standard:

• Submit test reports for IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 AND a duly signed declaration confirming no impact on the additional standard

What New Applicants Need to Know

Businesses planning to register a new product under BIS CRS for the first time have several important things to consider:

Application Processing Rules:

Old vs. New Standard: A Quick Comparison

Timeline: Key Milestones at a Glance

Who Does This Affect — and How?

Why You Should Not Wait Until 2028

Many businesses assume the 2028 deadline gives them plenty of time. In reality, the compliance process involves multiple steps — each with its own lead time:

• Laboratory testing under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 takes weeks to months depending on the lab queue
• BIS portal submissions require complete documentation and can involve back-and-forth queries
• Undertakings and declarations must be prepared, signed, and submitted accurately
• Multiple models in a licence scope multiply the effort
• Labs may face capacity constraints closer to the deadline as more businesses rush to comply

Starting now means you can plan testing in batches, manage costs better, and avoid disruptions to your sales pipeline.