India is transitioning from IS 13252 and IS 616 safety standards to IEC 62368-1 for audio/video and information technology equipment. The Bureau of Indian Standards has established a phased timeline with Extended Reality products requiring compliance by May 2026 and all other affected products transitioning by November 1, 2028.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has officially announced the adoption of IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. This migration aligns India's BIS certification framework with the international IEC standard widely adopted across the EU, North America, and other major markets.
IS/IEC 62368-1 is based on the Hazard-Based Safety Engineering (HBSE) approach and has become the globally recognised safety standard for AV and ICT equipment. The transition replaces IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017, which have served as India's primary safety standards for information technology and audio/video equipment.
The Bureau of Indian Standards published IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 in the Gazette of India on May 20, 2025. To facilitate a smooth transition for the industry, the Government of India has permitted the concurrent applicability of IS 13252-1, IS 616, and IS/IEC 62368-1 until November 1, 2028.
A stakeholder meeting was held at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on July 11, 2025, to discuss implementation details. MEITY indicated it may issue a formal implementation order in the coming months, contingent on stakeholder feedback submitted within two weeks of the meeting.
The transition operates under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 has been adopted as the primary safety standard for Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology (AV/ICT) equipment under this order.
After November 1, 2028, IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 will be formally withdrawn, and BIS CRS registrations must comply exclusively with IS/IEC 62368-1. The transition also applies to newly regulated product categories, including Extended Reality (XR) products such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR) devices.
A three-year grace period is anticipated during which IS 13252/IS 616 and IS/IEC 62368-1 will run concurrently. MEITY may allow limited exemptions for products under IS 13252/IS 616 for after-sales and service purposes.
The transition affects 42 product categories currently registered under BIS CRS. Several commonly imported and manufactured electronic products will need to transition to the new standard, including laptops, notebooks, tablets, televisions (LCD/LED/Plasma), printers and multifunction devices, video monitors and display units, electronic games (video), barcode scanners and biometric devices, wireless keyboards, telephone answering machines, amplifiers and electronic musical systems.
Extended Reality products face an accelerated timeline, with compliance required by May 2026. This category represents a new addition to the CRS scheme and reflects the growing importance of AR/VR/MR technologies in the Indian market.
Manufacturers holding existing BIS registrations under IS 13252 or IS 616 will need to evaluate their product portfolios and prepare updated test reports. The hazard-based approach of IEC 62368-1 may require different testing methodologies compared to the prescriptive requirements of the older standards.
Products currently certified under IS 13252 or IS 616 must obtain new certifications under IS/IEC 62368-1 before the transition deadlines. For Extended Reality products, this certification must be completed by May 2026. All other affected products have until November 1, 2028.
The new standard integrates safety requirements for both ICT equipment and audio-video devices, reflecting evolving technologies and global compliance practices. Manufacturers must ensure their products meet the hazard-based safety engineering requirements specified in IS/IEC 62368-1:2023.
During the transition period, both old and new standards remain valid for BIS CRS registration. However, manufacturers are advised to begin transitioning to the new standard to avoid last-minute compliance issues as the November 2028 deadline approaches.
The implementation timeline follows a two-phase approach:
Phase 1 - Extended Reality Products: Compliance with IEC 62368-1 required by May 2026 for AR, VR, and MR devices.
Phase 2 - All Other Products: Transition deadline of November 1, 2028, for the remaining 42 product categories currently under IS 13252 and IS 616.
A six-month transition period is currently running during which IS/IEC 62368-1:2018 remains valid for use. However, IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 is not yet mandatory pending the formal implementation order from MEITY.
Further details of the transition, including market surveillance implications for products already certified under IS 13252, remain under review by India's Bureau of Indian Standards. The formal order is expected in the coming months following stakeholder consultation.
India's adoption of IEC 62368-1 aligns the country with international standards used in major markets including the European Union, North America, and other regions that have already transitioned from older safety standards. This harmonisation supports global manufacturers in streamlining product safety compliance across markets.
The transition timeline provides Indian manufacturers and importers with a multi-year runway to prepare, which is more generous than some other markets that have implemented similar transitions. The concurrent validity period until November 2028 allows for gradual migration rather than immediate compliance requirements.
Manufacturers should immediately begin evaluating their product portfolios to identify which models fall under the updated standard. Priority should be given to Extended Reality products that face the May 2026 deadline.
Companies should coordinate with testing partners and certification experts to assess what changes will be required for compliance with IS/IEC 62368-1. Understanding the differences between the hazard-based approach of the new standard and the prescriptive requirements of IS 13252/IS 616 is essential for planning.
For products with existing BIS registrations, manufacturers should determine whether current test reports can be adapted or if complete retesting will be required. The transition from prescriptive to hazard-based safety engineering may necessitate different testing methodologies.
Stakeholders should monitor MEITY and BIS announcements for the formal implementation order and submit any feedback on testing scope and series grouping requirements. Companies should prepare for dual-standard compliance during the transition period and begin internal assessments of product portfolios for compliance planning.
Manufacturers are advised to begin the certification process well in advance of the deadlines to account for potential testing laboratory capacity constraints as the transition dates approach.
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