Understanding and Navigating India's Consumer Electronics Market

How can manufacturers ensure that their devices meet stringent country-specific standards and industry regulations?

India, like many countries, has established standards and regulations to ensure the safety and quality of consumer electronics. Certification assures end users that products meet industry benchmarks and protect consumer interests.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

The BIS is the national standards body responsible for formulating, publishing and enforcing Indian standards. The two types of certifications issued by BIS include:

The ISI mark scheme ensures that certified products meet the specified quality standards. It covers products including electrical appliances, automotive components, cement, food products, packaged drinking water, steel products and more.

Under the ISI mark scheme, manufacturers must submit products for testing at BIS-approved laboratories. These laboratories conduct thorough assessments to verify compliance with relevant Indian standards. To start this process manufacturers need to complete an online application form on the BIS portal, with the required documents and test report. BIS will nominate an auditor for a factory audit. On successful completion of an application BIS grants the ISI mark, indicating a product’s adherence to the prescribed quality and safety parameters. in turn, this provides manufacturers with wider market access and a significant competitive advantage.

The CRS, implemented by the BIS aims to ensure the safety, quality, and reliability of specific products sold in India. It mandates that certain products undergo testing and obtain the BIS registration mark before they can be sold in the Indian market, this includes products that have a direct impact on consumer safety, health and environmental well-being. Products within scope of this scheme include information technology, audio/video products, luminaires, batteries and household appliances.

Manufacturers must to submit product samples to BIS-approved laboratories for testing and evaluation to verify compliance with relevant Indian standards. This ensures that they meet the specified safety, quality, and performance requirements. If a product passes the tests, and is registered under the CRS, it may display the BIS registration mark. This mark serves as a visual indication to consumers that the product has undergone the necessary testing and meets the required standards. 

While both the ISI mark scheme and the CRS scheme aim to ensure product quality and safety, the key differences lie in their scope, certification process (voluntary vs. mandatory), regulatory framework and product coverage. The ISI mark scheme is voluntary, covers a wider range of products, and focuses on conformity to Indian standards, while the CRS is mandatory, covers specific product categories, and emphasizes registration for consumer safety.

Some important points that manufacturers/brands must consider for the BIS mark:

• Foreign applicants must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) in the prescribed nomination form
• Manufacturers should ensure that no marks or statements of conformity are put on samples before the grant of registration/inclusion
• Products manufactured in multiple factories requires different testing and registration
• Manufacturers must submit registration activity within 90 days of BIS Recognized lab test

Wireless products certification through Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing

For wireless products, three types of license/approval are applicable:

1. Non-network license
1. Import license
2. Dealer possession license
3. Non-dealer possession license
2. Network license
1. Internet service provider license (ISP)
2. Experimental license
3. Equipment type approval (ETA)

For wireless products in de-licensed frequency bands by WPC, manufacturers need to obtain an ETA license. This is a mandatory certification required by the Indian government to ensure the quality, safety and compliance of wireless equipment sold and used in India. An ETA license is essential for wireless devices that operate on various technologies, including bluetooth, wi-fi, cellular networks (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G), satellite communication and other wireless communication technologies.

The certification process involves evaluating the technical parameters, performance and compliance of the wireless equipment with the applicable Indian standards. The certification process involves submission of the device specifications, test reports and other necessary documentation at the Saral Sanchar portal. The authorities evaluate the device based on its technical parameters and RF reports. The ETA license for wireless devices is an essential regulatory requirement that strengthens the telecommunications ecosystem in India, ensuring the availability of reliable and compliant wireless devices while safeguarding user safety and network integrity.

A few important points to be kept in mind while applying for certification of wireless products through WPC:

• Foreign applicants must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) using the prescribed nomination form
• ETA certificates are obtained through self-declaration and application to relevant regional licensing offices (RLOs) for wireless products that are exempt from import licensing requirements under the DGFT's EXIM Policy
• WPC accepts CE/FCC test reports from accredited lab to apply for an ETA license, in cases of non-availability of CE/FCC reports, manufacturer can test product as per applicable WPC GSR
• WPC accepts radio module test reports for approval but does not accept family model certification
• Any change to a product or test reports may affect the validity of certificate

MTCTE certification is mandatory for all telecom equipment that is imported, manufactured, or sold in India. It encompasses a wide range of equipment, including mobile phones, wireless devices, modems, routers, switches, transmitters, receivers and other telecommunications equipment used in wired, wireless, and satellite communication systems. The certification process involves rigorous testing and evaluation of telecom equipment to verify compliance with the specified technical parameters, safety requirements, and Indian standards. The testing is conducted by TEC-approved laboratories, which assess various aspects such as electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), radio frequency (RF) emissions, electrical safety, network interoperability, and performance characteristics. The certification process involves submitting the necessary documentation on the MTCTE portal, including test reports, technical specifications and compliance declarations to TEC.

There are two main types of certification scheme:

Scheme 1 – General Certification Scheme (GCS)

Applicants are required to submit test wise compliance along with test reports, in respect of parameters included in ERs, from any designated CAB or recognized CAB of MRA partner country. The test results shall be evaluated for compliance against respective Evidence of Registration (ER)s.

Scheme 2 – Simplified Certification Scheme (SCS)

Applicants are required to submit a test wise compliance sheet, along with a Self-Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) and test reports, in respect of parameters included in ER. Tests reports will not be evaluated by TEC, similar to GCS. However, TEC reserves the right to seek clarification from applicant if required.

Some important points for TEC certification:

• Manufacturers can cover up to 10 (1+9) models in single application if the models qualify as associated models of tested model
• Technical specification and bill of materials (BOM) need to be established at the outset for family model applications
• In cases of non-availability of a TEC accredited test facility for any technical parameter, TEC can provide exemption until labs are available or perform onsite test with witnessing. Provisional certificates will be issued in such cases.
• TEC has mandatory labeling requirements as shown in the image.

The Government of India set up BEE on March 1, 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. It aims to drive energy efficiency improvements by setting standards, promoting energy-efficient technologies, and implementing energy conservation measures.

The BEE label, which comprises star ratings from 1 to 5, must be applied to appliances. The list of appliances subject to BEE India is constantly growing and already comprises a diverse range of products.

There are two main scheme types:

• Mandatory Appliances: 11 products (example: frost free refrigerators, color televisions, LED lamps, room air conditioner, ceiling fan, storage water heater etc.)
• Voluntary Appliances: 23 products (example: computers, washing machines, ultra-high definition televisions, microwave ovens, pedestal/table/wall fans etc.)

To apply for BEE certification, manufacturers need to first determine the applicable energy efficiency standard or labeling program, gather the necessary documentation such as product specifications, test reports from BEE-approved laboratories, and compliance declarations. Once done, the products must be undergo energy efficiency testing at a BEE-approved testing laboratory. All these reports and documents must then be uploaded to the BEE portal for further evaluation. Upon successful evaluation, the manufacturer would be issued a certificate and star labeling for the product.

Some important points for BEE certification include:

1. Manufacturers must apply for individual star labeling for each model in BEE
2. The applicant/permittee must be an Indian entity who wishes to sell the product in the Indian market
3. The BEE, or its designated agency, randomly picks samples from the market and tests them in third-party NABL accredited laboratories. If the model fails the check testing procedure, financial penalties can be levied, and the name and model of the failed product can be published in print media/newspapers.

E-Waste Management Rules – 2022

The Government of India published the E-Waste (Management) Rule 2022 under Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. These regulations referred to as the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 are effective from April 1 2023. These rules address growing concern about electronic waste (e-waste) and promote its proper management and disposal. These rules introduce the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which places the responsibility on electronic equipment manufacturers, brand owners and importers to collect and channelize e-waste for environmentally sound recycling and disposal. As per these rules every producer of electrical and electronic equipment and their components needs to ensure that these parts do not contain hazardous substances beyond certain maximum concentration values:

• Lead (<0.1%)
• Mercury (<0.1%)
• Cadmium (<0.01%)
• Hexavalent chromium (<0.1%)
• Polybrominated biphenyls (<0.1%)
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (<0.1%)

In conclusion, the certification requirements for consumer electronics in India play a pivotal role in ensuring product quality, safety, and compliance with relevant standards. The ISI mark scheme by BIS and the CRS are crucial in establishing trust and confidence among consumers, while the ETA license for wireless devices and MTCTE certification ensure reliable and interoperable communication systems. Additionally, BEE certification promotes energy efficiency and responsible e-waste management.

By adhering to these certification processes, manufacturers and importers demonstrate their commitment to providing high-quality products, reducing environmental impact and safeguarding consumer interests. These certification requirements not only benefit the industry but also contribute to the overall well-being of society and the sustainable development of the nation. With a strong certification framework in place, India continues to pave the way for a thriving consumer electronics industry that prioritizes excellence and consumer satisfaction.

The SGS benefit

SGS supports manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in the consumer electronics industry, right through the production and supply chains, from the product design stage through to shipment. We can tailor our services to meet your specific needs – from offering a comprehensive production strategy, through certification to meet industry standards, or one-off tests to support quality control or risk assessment processes.

Our services for audio and video and household appliances are trusted across the globe, since we aim to help you maximize business opportunities while meeting the expectations of customers and regulators in different geographic markets.

As the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, SGS stays abreast of technological, regulatory and market developments – so that you can continue with your core business while we give you an edge over your competitors.

For further information, please contact:

Jeevan Hebbalu
Head - EMI / EMC, Connectivity & Products
t: +91 7208042962