If you’re manufacturing, importing, or selling anything from VR headsets to office chairs into India, heads up: the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is tightening the rules again in 2026. These aren’t minor tweaks – we’re talking expanded mandatory certifications, new safety standards, and hard deadlines that can block your products at customs if you miss them.
India’s market is huge and growing fast, but the government is serious about product safety, especially for electronics, heavy equipment, and even everyday furniture. Skipping compliance can mean rejected shipments, fines, or getting delisted from major platforms like Amazon India or Flipkart.
Electronics & IT Gear: Switching to the New Safety Standard (IS/IEC 62368-1:2023)
The old safety rules for most audio, video, and IT products (IS 13252 and IS 616) are on their way out. India is moving to the more modern, hazard-based IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 – the same one used in many other countries.
Here’s when different products have to switch:
- AR/VR/MR headsets and extended reality (XR) devices – You’ve got until May 1, 2026 to meet the new standard. After that, no more selling under the old rules.
- Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) – Update to the revised IS 16242 (Part 1):2025 by November 19, 2026.
- Home refrigerators and freezers – Comply with updated IS 17550 (Part 1):2024 no later than May 12, 2026.
- Digital TV receivers – The grace period already ended in late 2025, so full compliance is required throughout 2026.
- Most other laptops, phones, speakers, monitors, etc. – You can still use the old standards for a while, but the full switchover deadline is November 1, 2028. That said, many new product types and tweaks will roll out step-by-step in 2026.
Heavy Machinery & Electrical Equipment: Scheme-X Finally Kicks In (September 1, 2026)
Remember Scheme-X (the big omnibus rule for industrial machinery and electrical gear)? The original start date got pushed back, and now the firm enforcement date is September 1, 2026.
After that, you’ll need BIS certification for products like:
- Cranes, pumps, compressors
- Transformers, switchgear, control panels
- Generators and diesel gensets
Components and sub-assemblies might get their own separate timelines (TBD), so keep an eye on BIS announcements. If you’re in industrial supply chains feeding India’s manufacturing boom, get your paperwork moving now – customs won’t be forgiving after September.
Furniture: ISI Mark Becomes Mandatory (Starting February 2026)
Under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025, everyday furniture now needs the ISI mark and BIS certification.
Key dates:
- Beds, bunk beds, tables, desks, chairs, stools, work chairs, storage units – Mandatory from February 13, 2026 (some sources say February 14 – check the exact QCO).
- Small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) – Get a grace period until August 13, 2026.
No ISI mark = no legal sale or import in India after those dates. If you’re sourcing from China, Vietnam or anywhere else, make sure your suppliers understand this isn’t optional.
Chemicals: A Few More Join the List
Certain industrial chemicals like orthophosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acid went mandatory earlier, but full enforcement (including remaining aspects) hits in early 2026 – specifically around January 6, 2026 for some.
What Should You Actually Do About All This?
Here are our HQTS Recommendations for Compliance:
- Figure out exactly which rules apply to your products – Use the official BIS website (bis.gov.in) or MeitY notifications. Product lists change, so double-check.
- Talk to a testing/certification partner early – Labs that are BIS-recognized can run the right tests and guide you on paperwork. Waiting until the last month usually means rushed (and expensive) fixes.
- Test and register ahead – Many standards require factory audits, so build in time.
- Update your supply chain – Tell suppliers about the deadlines. Get certificates renewed or new ones issued before shipments leave.
- Track changes – BIS and ministries post updates regularly. Subscribe to alerts if you can.
About HQTS
With offices and labs in over 40 countries (heavy presence in China, India, Vietnam, and other manufacturing hubs), we are accredited under standards like ISO 17020 and 17025, and we work with tens of thousands of brands in consumer goods, industrial equipment, food/agriculture, and beyond. Basically, if you’re dealing with complex import rules or need someone to run tests, audits, or compliance checks on the ground, HQTS is the partner you are looking for exactly these kinds of challenges.
