BIS for Electrical Appliances in India: QCO 2026 Guide

Selling a toaster, a heater, or a commercial kitchen appliance in India now comes with a compliance question: does it fall under the new Quality Control Order? The Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026 makes BIS certification mandatory for around 90 types of electrical appliances. This guide explains what changed, who is affected, and what to do next. For hands-on support, see our BIS certification services in India.

Key takeaways

• The 2026 order replaces the earlier 2025 version of the same name.
• It was notified on 6 April 2026 and applies from 1 October 2026 for enterprises other than micro and small.
• The applicable standard is IS 302 (Part 1):2024.
• Certification is under the ISI Mark route, with testing at BIS-recognised labs.
• Small and micro enterprises get later deadlines.

Contents

1. What changed from the 2025 order
2. Which appliances are covered
3. Deadlines by enterprise size
4. What is excluded, and how this differs from CRS
5. How to get certified
6. Common mistakes
7. Consequences of non-compliance
8. FAQs

1. What changed from the 2025 order

The 2026 order supersedes the 2025 order. It clarifies applicability, adds exemptions, and revises timelines. Businesses that prepared under the older order should recheck their product list and dates against the new notification.

2. Which appliances are covered

The order applies to electrical appliances used in homes, commercial spaces, and similar settings. It covers appliances rated up to 250V (single phase) and up to 480V for other appliances, including DC and battery-operated ones. Around 90 appliance types are listed in the order’s schedule. Check your product against the schedule in the official notification before assuming you are in or out.

3. Deadlines by enterprise size

Enterprise type	Compliance date
Large and medium	1 October 2026
Small	1 January 2027
Micro	1 April 2027

4. What is excluded, and how this differs from CRS

Appliances already covered by another Quality Control Order, or by another mandatory BIS requirement, are outside this order. It is also separate from the Compulsory Registration Scheme, which applies to a different product list and works through registration rather than a factory-based licence. For the electronics side, read our overview of BIS CRS registration.

5. How to get certified

1. Classify the product against the order’s schedule.
2. Check the standard: IS 302 (Part 1):2024 and any product-specific part that applies.
3. Test samples at a BIS-recognised laboratory.
4. Apply for the BIS licence with test reports and factory details.
5. Prepare for the factory audit: BIS reviews production and quality control.
6. Mark the product with the Standard Mark and licence number after approval.

Overseas manufacturers need a licence for each factory, so start early. Our guide to BIS FMCS certification covers that route.

6. Common mistakes

• Relying on the 2025 order’s dates or product list.
• Assuming a CRS registration covers an appliance that now falls under this QCO.
• Applying for one licence and assuming it covers every factory.
• Testing before confirming which part of the standard applies.
• Waiting for the deadline to start. Testing and audit take months.

7. Consequences of non-compliance

Selling, importing, or distributing a covered appliance without the mark violates the BIS Act, 2016. Possible outcomes include customs holds, penalties, and removal of listings from sales channels.

FAQs

Is BIS certification mandatory for electrical appliances in India?
Yes, for the appliance types listed in the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026.

Which standard applies?
IS 302 (Part 1):2024.

When does the order apply?
From 1 October 2026 for enterprises other than micro and small, from 1 January 2027 for small, and from 1 April 2027 for micro enterprises.

Is this the same as BIS CRS?
No. CRS is a separate registration scheme with its own product list. This order uses the ISI Mark route.

Conclusion

If your product is an electrical appliance sold in India, check it against the 2026 schedule now. Book test slots early and plan the factory audit. For support from standard mapping to licence follow-up, see our BIS certification services in India.