Curated notifications and amendments affecting BIS, WPC/DoT/TEC and BEE / EPR compliance — March to May 2026.
MeitY’s Gazette S.O. 1246(E) (10 March 2026) reformulating Para 8 of the CRO comes into force. Importers/manufacturers of Highly Specialised Equipment must reassess eligibility against the tightened rules.
Source: CRS BIS — MeitY NotificationsNon-ISI footwear placed on the market before 1 August 2024 may be sold in India only until 31 July 2026 under the Footwear QCO. Covers leather, rubber, canvas and safety footwear under IS 10702, IS 11544, IS 15298-2 and IS 15844.
Source: Dept. of Chemicals — BIS Standards18-month exemption for Micro and Small enterprises under the Furniture QCO ends. From 14 August 2026, even MSMEs need a valid BIS licence to manufacture/import covered furniture.
Source: Dept. of Chemicals — BIS StandardsOmnibus Technical Regulation Scheme X for machinery and electrical equipment listed in the First Schedule becomes mandatory from 1 September 2026. Foreign & domestic manufacturers must obtain ISI under Scheme X.
Source: BIS — What’s NewExemption from QCO requirements on selected steel BIS standards is in force only until 30 September 2026. Plan mill certifications and BoL evidence accordingly.
Source: Ministry of SteelFrom 1 October 2026, ISI marking under IS 302 (Part 1):2024 becomes compulsory for medium/large enterprises across 90 product categories.
Source: Dept. of Chemicals — BIS StandardsFrom 1 October 2026, large/medium enterprises must hold a BIS licence for pipe wrenches, spanners, pliers and adjustable wrenches under IS 4003, IS 2028, IS 2029, IS 6149 and IS 3650.
Source: Dept. of Chemicals — BIS StandardsThe current BIS waiver for stainless flat products (incl. IS 14650 — billets, blooms, slabs) ends. Importers should secure mill BIS certifications well before the cliff date.
Source: Ministry of SteelLast day to submit applications under the Import Management System for restricted IT hardware (HSN 8471). Authorisations remain valid only until 31 December 2026.
Source: DGFT — Trade NoticesSmall enterprises across 90 categories must hold ISI licence under IS 302 (Part 1):2024 from 1 January 2027.
Source: Dept. of Chemicals — BIS StandardsConcurrent-running window with the 2025 revision ends. From 23 March 2027, all toys sold in India must comply with IS 9873 (Part 1):2025 only.
Source: BISFinal wave: from 1 April 2027 the Household & Commercial Electrical Appliances QCO is mandatory for micro enterprises as well — ending the staggered MSME relief.
Source: Dept. of Chemicals — BIS StandardsConcurrent validity of IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 ends. AV/ICT equipment must conform exclusively to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 from 1 November 2028.
Source: BIS CRSFrom 12 May 2026, household refrigerators and freezers must conform to the revised IS 17550 (Part 1):2024 under BIS ISI marking. Manufacturers and importers must hold a current licence and updated test reports against the revised performance and safety clauses.
Source: BIS — Upcoming QCOsLast day for stakeholders to submit suggestions and objections on the draft amendment to the Medical Devices Rules, 2017 (notified 10 April 2026). The draft revises rules on registration certificate holders, labelling for outsourced sterilisation, and test/evaluation fee escalation.
Source: CDSCOFrom 1 May 2026, AR, VR, MR and other Extended Reality (XR) headsets sold in India must comply with the dedicated BIS safety standard for XR devices under the Compulsory Registration Scheme. Existing CRS registrations need re-evaluation against the revised scope.
Source: BIS CRS PortalBIS updated its consolidated “Upcoming QCOs notified and due for implementation” tracker, listing products and ministries together with effective dates. Useful for planning licence applications, factory audits and FMCS Option-1 timelines.
Source: BIS — Upcoming QCOs TrackerMoHFW issued draft notification G.S.R. 270(E) proposing changes to constitution of registration holders, sterilisation labelling for outsourced sites and annual fee escalation for test/evaluation. 30-day comment window opened.
Source: CDSCOGazette S.O. 1739(E) under Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016 mandates ISI marking for 90 categories of electrical appliances under IS 302 (Part 1):2024. Implementation: 01 Oct 2026 (large/medium), 01 Jan 2027 (small) and 01 Apr 2027 (micro) enterprises.
Source: DPIIT / Dept. of Chemicals — BIS StandardsMandates a phased minimum recycled-content percentage in plastic packaging by all PIBOs, introduces reuse targets for rigid packaging and reinforces EPR obligations. CPCB to publish audit and verification guidelines within six months.
Source: CPCB — Centralised EPR Portal (Plastic)Final day of the extended exemption from ITSAR security testing/certification for cloud-implemented IP Routers and Wi-Fi CPEs. From 1 April 2026, all such equipment routed for sale or deployment in India must enter the regular ITSAR testing pathway via designated TSTLs.
Source: NCCS — ITSARsIn a procedural relaxation, NCCS now permits controlled software changes during ITSAR security testing. OEMs must submit a dedicated hardening guide to the Telecommunication Security Testing Lab (TSTL) before testing begins.
Source: NCCSBIS, under the Department of Consumer Affairs, reduced the annual minimum marking fees under the Conformity Assessment Scheme-I for micro and small enterprises and recognised startups. Effective immediately, valid until 31 May 2029.
Source: BIS — What’s NewBEE reminded all S&L permittees and manufacturers to upload an updated list of approved retailers and distributors of star-labelled appliances. Non-compliance can lead to immediate revocation of the right to affix BEE Star Labels and market withdrawal.
Source: BEE — Standards & LabellingGazette S.O. 1246(E) reformulates Paragraph 8 of the Electronics & IT Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021, tightening the exemption framework for Highly Specialised Equipment. Effective 15 June 2026.
Source: CRS BIS — MeitY NotificationsCPCB confirmed live data linkage between the E-Waste EPR portal (eprewastecpcb.in) and GST / ICEGATE feeds. Producers’ declared sales must reconcile with GST returns and import data, raising the bar for accurate target setting and credit purchase.
Source: CPCB — E-Waste EPR PortalHeadline changes: BIS licence validity extended to 5 years, advance annual licence-fee payment for continuation, mandatory production statement filings and clearer suspension rules with late-fee provisions for non-compliance.
Source: BIS — Act, Rules & RegulationsRevised guidelines reaffirm that foreign manufacturers under FMCS must be processed under Option-1, while All-India-First domestic cases may use Option-2 where third-party labs are available. Stricter timelines for sample dispatch tracking, technical staff verification and digital case progression.
Source: BISScheme X for machinery and electrical equipment listed in the First Schedule of the Omnibus Technical Regulation now becomes enforceable on 01 September 2026, granting industry additional preparation time for ISI licensing under Scheme X.
Source: BIS — What’s NewThe Department of Telecommunications de-licensed the lower 6 GHz band, opening the way for Wi-Fi 6E / Wi-Fi 7 devices and FWA. Implications for WPC ETA scope, frequency parameters declared in self-declaration and conformity testing.
Source: DoT — Spectrum ManagementNCCS published Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements covering O-RU, O-DU, O-CU and O-Cloud infrastructure. New tests will be required ahead of MTCTE certification for Open RAN equipment offered to Indian operators.
Source: NCCS — ITSARsMeitY cleared 22 additional projects under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme covering 11 product segments — mobile phones, telecom, consumer electronics, automotive electronics, IT hardware and strategic electronics. Expected uplift in domestic supplier ecosystem for BIS / CRS-listed components.
Source: MeitY — What’s NewFrom 01 January 2026, BEE star labelling is mandatory for frost-free and direct-cool refrigerators, deep freezers, televisions (incl. UHD), LPG gas stoves, cooling towers, chillers, distribution transformers and grid-connected solar inverters. Tightened thresholds reset many older 5-star products to lower bands.
Source: BEE — Standards & Labelling5-star → 4-star, 4-star → 3-star, 3-star → 2-star under revised ISEER bands. A 3-star split AC now needs ISEER 4.0 – 4.99. Drives BoM changes for compressors, refrigerant and heat exchangers.
Source: BEE — Standards & LabellingInverters ≤ 100 kW must meet 92% (sub-1 kW) up to 98% (> 20 kW) efficiency per IS 17980:2022 / IEC 62891:2020. BIS certification required under IS 16221-2:2015. Inverters > 200 kW have a compliance extension to June 2026.
Source: BEE — Standards & LabellingOptical Network Terminator (ONT) security certification under ITSAR becomes mandatory. NCCS introduced grouping for customised variants under a single certification, cutting test cases by ~10x.
Source: NCCSBIS released a revised toy-safety product manual (PM/9873/13) in January 2026 to streamline certification under the revised IS 9873 (Part 1):2025 standard.
Source: BIS — What’s NewEffective 30 December 2025. Allocates radio-frequency spectrum (8.3 kHz – 3000 GHz) and signals upper 6 GHz for IMT/6G, lower 6 GHz delicensed for Wi-Fi 7/8 and FWA, plus fresh bands for private networks, V2X and industrial IoT.
Source: DoT — Spectrum ManagementProcedure for IMS authorisations for laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, ultra-small form-factor PCs and servers under HSN 8471. Application portal open 22 Dec 2025 to 15 Dec 2026; authorisations valid till 31 Dec 2026; multiple applications allowed.
Source: DGFT — Trade NoticesNCCS issued V2.0.0 ITSARs for Wi-Fi CPEs and IP Routers. Stricter cryptographic and management-plane controls; OEMs to update test plans and supplier declarations.
Source: NCCS — ITSARsDraft Spectrum Rules under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 published for stakeholder comment. Sets the framework for secondary spectrum markets and operator-to-operator trading.
Source: DoT — Telecommunications ActAligns with ISO 8124-1. Concurrent with IS 9873 (Part 1):2019 until 22 March 2027. New ride-on speed limits: 8 km/h (< 3 yrs), 12 km/h (3–6 yrs), 16 km/h (> 6 yrs).
Source: BIS — What’s NewDraft authorisation framework operationalising the Telecom Act 2023. Replaces the legacy licensing regime; relevant for telecom operators, captive networks and resellers.
Source: DoT — Act & RulesEffective 01 October 2025 for large/medium enterprises (small: 1 Jan 2027; micro: 1 Apr 2027). Covers pipe wrenches, open-jaw and ring spanners, pliers and adjustable wrenches under IS 4003, IS 2028, IS 2029, IS 6149, IS 3650.
Source: Dept. of Chemicals — BIS StandardsFrom 24 August 2025, sale, distribution, import or use of equipment in 14 categories — incl. cellular CPE, fixed wireless telephones — prohibited unless certified under MTCTE.
Source: MTCTE — Phase-wise Product ListBIS issued a draft QCO for writing/printing paper and coated paper/board, signalling forthcoming mandatory ISI marking. Stakeholder comment period in motion.
Source: BISTEC issued criteria for certification of telecom equipment with specialised testing needs (e.g. high-voltage, high-current operation), removing ambiguity for niche product lines under MTCTE.
Source: TEC — MTCTEEPR for waste tyres operative under the Hazardous & Other Waste (M&TM) Amendment Rules, 2022. Producers must purchase EPR / Retreading certificates from authorised recyclers via the CPCB portal.
Source: CPCB — Waste-Tyre PortalProducers (occupier of project ≥ 20,000 m² built-up) must register on the CPCB portal and recycle 25% (FY26-27) → 100% (FY29-30 onwards) of prior-year waste. Schedule II sets minimum recycled-material use in new construction.
Source: MoEFCC — GuidelinesHazardous & Other Wastes (M&TM) Second Amendment Rules, 2023 introduced EPR for used oil from 1 April 2024. Producers (base-oil/lubricant manufacturers, importers) must register on the CPCB Used Oil EPR portal and meet recycling obligations.
Source: CPCB — Used Oil EPREPR collection-target trajectory: 60% (FY24, FY25) → 70% (FY26, FY27) → 80% (FY28-29 onwards). Schedule I expanded to 106 EEE products including solar PV modules/panels/cells.
Source: CPCB — E-Waste EPRProducers must register on eprbatterycpcb.in. EV battery recovery targets: 70% (FY25) → 90% (FY27); auto/industrial batteries 60% by FY27. Applies regardless of chemistry, shape or use.
Source: CPCB — Battery EPR