India BIS / CRS Compulsory Registration Overview

Core Concepts & Scope

On 7 November 2025, MeitY issued Notification S.O. 4997(E), and BIS followed with an implementation guideline on 9 March Together, they mandate that 38 categories of electronic IT and audio/video equipment migrate from the legacy standards IS 13252-1:2010 and IS 616:2017 to the unified multimedia safety standard IS/IEC 62368-1:2023.

Among the 38 categories, XR (AR / VR / MR) devices become compulsory on 1 May 2026 and have been added as Category 65 of the CRS schedule; the other 37 categories may continue using certificates issued under the old standards until 1 November 2028, allowing a phased renewal.

a recommends that XR vendors submit samples 4–6 months ahead of schedule to absorb laboratory lead time and any retest cycles.

Television sets are listed under CRS Category 64 against standard IS 18112:2022. Gazette S.O. 352(E) dated 22 January 2026 postponed the compulsory date from 26 January 2026 to 26 July On the furniture front, mandatory ISI Mark affixation for furniture (beds, tables, chairs and related articles) becomes effective on 13 February 2026, while Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) enjoy a grace period until 13 August 2026.

Key Rules & Regulatory Points

a has also confirmed that Scheme-X, which covers cranes, pumps, compressors, transformers, switchgear, control panels, rotating electrical machines and diesel generators, has been pushed from 1 March 2026 to 1 September 2026, leaving industrial brands a comfortable preparation window.

The CRS application pipeline imposes three non-negotiable conditions: samples must be tested by a BIS-recognised laboratory; overseas applicants must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) based in India; and on successful grant the registration number is issued in the format R-XXXXXX.

The R-number, the relevant IS standard number and the full name and address of the AIR must be printed legibly on the product itself as well as on the smallest retail package. Under the BIS Act 2016, violations may lead to seizure of goods, administrative fines ranging from one to ten times the value of the consignment, and criminal liability in serious cases.

All facts above are sourced from official Indian public documents and BIS implementation guidelines. Key references include: MeitY Notification S.O. 4997(E) of 7 November 2025; BIS Implementation Guideline for IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 dated 9 March 2026; Gazette S.

Practical Checklist

352(E) of 22 January 2026 extending the television compliance date; the February 2026 order on mandatory ISI Mark for furniture with MSME grace period; the Scheme-X deferral notice resetting the effective date to 1 September 2026; and the penalty provisions under Sections 17 to 29 of the BIS Act 2016.

a maintains a compliance database that is refreshed monthly against the original Indian Gazette texts.

This overview applies to manufacturers, brand owners, importers and cross-border e-commerce sellers that plan to export, or already export, electronic IT / AV products, XR devicesevision sets, furniture and Scheme-X industrial equipment to the Indian market.

CRS specifically covers consumer electronics in the IT and audio/video segments; ISI furniture certification covers household and commercial beds, tables and chairs; Scheme-X addresses industrial machinery and electrical equipment deployed in industrial scenarios.

Common Pitfalls

a recommends that each SKU planned for India be mapped individually against the latest CRS 65-category schedule, the furniture ISI list and the Scheme-X equipment list so that the correct track is selected from day one.

Observed misconceptions among clients include: assuming that CE or FCC reports can directly replace BIS-recognised CRS testing, when in reality CRS only accepts reports issued by laboratories approved by BIS; assuming that overseas entities can file directly on the BIS portal without an AIR, when a local Indian representative is mandatory; assuming a single industry-wide enforcement date for furniture, when MSMEs receive an additional six-month grace window; assuming that Gazette S.O.

352(E) is a permanent waiver for televisions, when it is only a delay until 26 July 2026; and printing the R-number only in the user manual while omitting it from the product body and package label, which is required. a performs a compliance baseline review at project kick-off to eliminate these common pitfalls before costly rework is triggered.

This article is a general guidance note at the level of publicly available BIS / CRS / furniture ISI / Scheme-X rules within the 2026 framework. It does not replace case-specific determinations issued by BIS for a particular manufacturer or model; it does not cover state-level taxation, customs classification or the WPC wireless equipment type approval regime; it also does not constitute legal advice.

Consequences & Tips

Matters such as laboratory testing lead time, AIR changes, and renaming of the R-number holder must be confirmed case by case against the latest BIS circulars. a will always clarify to customers that the ultimate reference is the live BIS system status and the official Gazette text in force at the time.

Before launching a CRS / ISI / Scheme-X compliance project, companies are advised to complete the following preparation steps: map the target SKUs against the latest BIS compulsory schedule and confirm the applicable IS standard for each model; identify a BIS-recognised laboratory, reserve a testing slot and prepare the required prototype quantity (typically 2–6 units per model); select or appoint a qualified AIR and execute a written authorisation and liability agreement; once the registration number is granted, update the mould, package, user manual and label artwork so that the R-number, IS standard number and AIR name/address appear simultaneously on all three media; upload the compliance dossier to the brand back-office of each relevant e-commerce platform.

a can support the full chain from laboratory liaising and AIR pre-screening, through marking specification review, to the final platform submission package.