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BIS-CRS

BIS issues Extension for Cotton Bales Quality Control Order

Implementation Date Extended for Cotton Bales Quality Control Order

The Ministry of Textiles has officially extended the implementation date for the Cotton Bales (Quality Control) Order, 2023.

New enforcement date: 27th August 2026

This extension enables stakeholders to meet the new deadline for BIS compliance promptly. The initial date was 28th August 2023, but it has been extended in phases, and now the new notified date is 27th August 2026.

For more information, you can access the official notification issued by the ministry from here: Extension QCO for Cotton Bales

Stakeholder Consultation on Migration to IS/IEC 62368-72023(Ed. 4)

A stakeholder meeting was held on 11th July 2025 under MeitY to discuss the migration of electronic products under IS 13252 Part 1: 2020 and IS 616: 2017 to the new IS/IEC 62368-2023 safety standard (Ed. 4). This will replace the current IS 13252 and IS 616 standards.

This Migration will overall impact around 42 product categories. (27 products for IS 13252 and 15 products for IS 616).

Key Takeaways:

Migration Timeline: MeitY will provide three years as the migration timeline for all 42 product categories currently under IS 13252 and IS 616.

New Category: A new product category for AR (Augmented Reality)/VR (Virtual Reality) will be created under CRO with the date of implementation as 6 Months from the release of the order to avoid ambiguity, as these devices are currently covered under the CRO as ADPM (IS 13252) or VDU (IS 616) based on technical specification.

Exemption for AMC, Maintenance & Warranty: Industry flagged that existing BIS-certified products may need exact replacements under AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) and warranty as per the Customer’s requirement, since the Migration will lead to an upgraded version of the product, to which the Chair clarified that although all products have to be migrated into IS/IEC 62368, Ed. 4, however MeitY may consider exemptions in exceptional cases.

No Phase-wise implementation: Industry requested for phased migration starting with components, i.e. Adapter, etc. and then move to their finished goods; however, MeitY clarified all products will migrate together considering there is no inter-dependency since not all products are manufactured by the same manufacturer and all products themselves are the finished goods except for SMPS, Cell, & Battery.

Implementation guideline and series guideline- Industry requested R-number retention and clear implementation guidelines for migration. Also, since it is a Standard migration hence BIS had indicated the requirement of the modification of the existing series guideline.

Further, since this migration will impact 70-80% of the product categories hence to ease the implementation, it was suggested to test only one model instead of a complete series of products.

To which MeitY/BIS will draft the series and implementation guidelines, and if required, then another meeting can be convened with the industry for their due deliberation.

Lab Readiness: BIS confirmed that testing labs are already in the process of aligning with the new standard, as a few labs are already accredited as per the IS 62388, and BIS will expedite the accreditation as they receive any new requests from the Test Labs. Hence, three years is considered sufficient for industry-wide readiness.

BIS Marking Simplification: The Industry suggested displaying only the ‘R-number’ on the standard Mark of products to improve aesthetics and eliminate the requirement of the Indian standard. To which, the chair suggested that the industry submit its suggestions to BIS, which can be discussed further with the concerned authorities.

Product Category Consolidation: To reduce complexity, categories like keyboards and wireless keyboards, TV, VDU, etc, may be consolidated. Such as a wireless and wired keyboard could be within the same category as ‘Keyboard’. The Chair agreed and considered the suggestion for Migration.

Action Points for the Industry:

Industry to provide their comments against the Migration of 42 product categories and the addition of a new category/VR to MeitY.

Industry to provide suggestions w.r.t. the implementation and series guidelines to MeitY and BIS, respectively.

Industry to give representation to BIS to relook into the marking of products (without the Indian standard).

All the above suggestions are to be given before the End of July 2025 to the respective Department/ Ministry as mentioned.

BIS-ISI

BIS Quality Control Order for Hand Tools

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has introduced the Hand Tools (Quality Control) Order, 2025. It shall come into force on 1st October 2025.

Under this order, various types of hand tools mentioned in the order must comply with their applicable Indian standard and must display the Standard Mark, authorised by a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards, in accordance with Scheme-1 of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

Date of Implementation:

For General (Large Enterprises): 1st October 2025
For Small Enterprises: 1st January 2026
For Micro Enterprises: 1st April 2026

Exemptions under this order:

Export Goods: Products manufactured in India exclusively for export are exempt from the scope of this Order.

R&D Exemption: Manufacturers of hand tools are allowed to import up to 200 units per year for research and development purposes, provided they are not sold, are scrapped after use, and year-wise records are submitted to the Central Government with a signed declaration.

For more information, you can access the official notification issued by the ministry from here: Hand-Tool QCO

QCOs Withdrawn for Acetic Acid, Methanol & Aniline

The Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, Government of India, has officially withdrawn the Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for the following chemicals:

Acetic Acid (IS 695)

Methanol (IS 517)

Aniline (IS 2833)

As per the Gazette Notification dated 23rd July 2025, these chemicals/substances are no longer under mandatory BIS-ISI certification, effective immediately.

This move has been taken in the public interest after consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

For more information, you can access the official notification issued by the ministry from here: QCOs Withdrawn for Acetic Acid, Methanol & Aniline

BIS Draft Quality Control Order for Primary Batteries

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has introduced a draft for the Primary Batteries (Quality Control) Order, 2025. It shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Under this order, Primary batteries must comply with their applicable Indian standard IS 6303 (Part 5):2023 and must display the Standard Mark, authorised by a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards, in accordance with Scheme-1 of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

Date of Implementation:

For General (Large Enterprises) – 06 months from the date of official publication of this order.

For Small Enterprises – 09 months from the date of official publication of this order.

For Micro Enterprises – 12 months from the date of official publication of this order.

For more information, you can access the official notification issued by the ministry from here: BIS Draft Quality Control Order for Primary Batteries

BIS Draft Quality Control Order for Electronic Weighing Systems

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has introduced a draft for the Electronic Weighing Systems (Quality Control) Order, 2025. It shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Under this order, Electronic Weighing Systems must comply with its applicable Indian standard IS 9281: Part 3: 1981 and must display the Standard Mark, authorised by a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards, in accordance with Scheme-1 of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

Date of Implementation:

For General (Large Enterprises) – 06 months from the date of official publication of this order.

For Small Enterprises – 09 months from the date of official publication of this order.

For Micro Enterprises – 12 months from the date of official publication of this order.

For more information, you can access the official notification issued by the ministry from here: BIS Draft Quality Control Order for Electronic Weighing Systems

BIS Draft Quality Control Order for Steel Doors, Windows, Ventilators and Fittings

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has introduced a draft for the Steel Doors, Windows, Ventilators and Fittings (Quality Control) Order, 2025. It shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Under this order, goods/articles mentioned in the order must comply with their applicable Indian standard and must display the Standard Mark, authorised by a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards, in accordance with Scheme-1 of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

The following goods/articles are covered under this draft order:

Sr. No.	Goods/Articles	Indian Standard	Title of Indian Standard
1.	Steel Doors, Windows, Ventilators and Fittings	IS 17706: 2022	Pull Handles- Specification
2.		IS 17296: 2020	Stainless Steel Door Stoppers-Specification
3.		IS 3614: 2021	Fire Doors and Doorsets – Specification
4.		IS 1038: 1983	Specification for Steel Doors, Windows Ventilators
5.		IS 1361: 1978	Specification for Steel Windows for Industrial Buildings

Date of Implementation:

For General (Large Enterprises) – 06 months from the date of official publication of this order.

For Small Enterprises – 09 months from the date of official publication of this order.

For Micro Enterprises – 12 months from the date of official publication of this order.

For more information, you can access the official notification issued by the ministry from here: BIS Draft Quality Control Order for Steel Doors, Windows, Ventilators and Fittings

WPC

Update on DoT Notification: Delicensing of the 6 GHz Band (5925–6425 MHz)

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has moved forward with its initiative to delicense the lower 6 GHz band (5925–6425 MHz) through its draft notification G.S.R. 316(E), dated May 16, 2025.

This decision is poised to significantly benefit both consumers and industry stakeholders in India by enabling license-exempt use for indoor Wi-Fi applications and very low-power outdoor operations, subject to specified power limits and regulatory conditions.

Key Updates and Implementation:

Expected Date of final notification: The DoT has received comments and suggestions from industry stakeholders on the proposed rules. The final notification is expected to be issued soon, with some reports indicating a possible release by August 15, 2025, though this date is not officially confirmed.

Limited Delicensing bands: At present, the DoT has indicated that no additional spectrum beyond the 5925–6425 MHz range will be delicensed. This means the initial 500 MHz portion of the lower 6 GHz band will be available for Wi-Fi.

While some industry players, advocated for a larger delicensed portion of 6GHz bands, the DoT appears firm on the current limit to safeguard spectrum for future 5G and 6G deployments however, there is a possibility that transmit power limits for outdoor Wi-Fi devices may be increased in the future if they do not interfere with existing licensed services, particularly satellite and defense communications.

Impact on OEMs: Once the final notification is issued, Manufacturers will be permitted to apply for WPC ETA-SD certification for products operating in the 5925–6425 MHz band. OEMs will be responsible for ensuring their products comply with the power limits and other regulatory conditions set by the DoT.

The DoT’s decision marks a significant step in modernising India’s wireless infrastructure, balancing the needs of unlicensed Wi-Fi with the requirements of licensed services. The industry now awaits the final notification to proceed with product development and certification.

Draft notification for 6GHz delicensing rules can be accessed from here: Draft notification for 6GHz delicensing rules

Satellite Internet in India: Current Status, Key Developments & Players

No Commercial Service Yet in India

While major satellite internet players have received regulatory approvals, no satellite internet service is commercially live in India yet. All providers are in the stages of spectrum allocation, ground infrastructure setup, and regulatory compliance.

Starlink Clears Major Regulatory part:

GMPCS License: Granted by DoT in June 2025.

IN-SPACE Authorisation: Received in July 2025 for a 5-year operating license.

Next Steps: Requires spectrum allocation, ground gateways (minimum 3), lawful interception compliance, and testing before launch.

Expected Launch: Commercial services may begin by late 2025.

Key Licensed Players and Bidders

Provider	License Status	Spectrum Status	Launch Status	Focus
OneWeb (Bharti)	IN-SPACe + DoT Approved	Pending	Trials/pilots only	Enterprise, rural Wi-Fi
JioSpaceFiber (Jio-SES)	Licensed	Pending	Infrastructure setup	Rural, enterprise broadband
Starlink (SpaceX)	GMPCS + IN-SPACe (5 yrs)	Pending	Targeting Q4 2025	Consumer + Enterprise
Amazon Kuiper	Awaiting Approval	Not allocated	TBD	Future entry

Government Regulation & Market Cap:

User: There is a maximum user limit of 20 lakh (2 million) for Starlink.

License Duration: TRAI is proposing a 5-year duration for satellite spectrum licenses.

Pricing: Expected Starlink terminal cost ₹30,000+, monthly fee ₹3,000–4,000. Services are expected to be premium in the initial phase.

Distribution & Partnerships

Starlink: Signed distribution deals with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio.

OneWeb: Partnered with Hughes Communications India Pvt. Ltd. (HCIPL).

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Important Update for PIBOs and PWPs under Plastic Waste Management Rules  

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has officially extended the deadline for filing Annual Returns for FY 24-25 under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2023.  

New Deadline: 31st July 2025.  

Applicable to: Registered Producers, Importers, Brand Owners (PIBOs) and Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs)  

All registered PIBOs and PWPs are encouraged to utilise this extended timeline to complete their filings to avoid non-compliance and penalties.  

MoEFCC Notifies EPR Framework for Scrap of Non-Ferrous Metals

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued an Official notification dated 1 July 2025, introducing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for the management, recycling, and refurbishment of scrap of non-ferrous metals such as Aluminium, Copper, and Zinc. 

Key Highlights: 

This amendment introduces a new chapter VIII focused on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for scrap of non-ferrous metals.

Registration: The following entities shall be registered by the Central Pollution Control Board on the online portal-

- Manufacturer

- Producer

- Recycler

- Refurbishers

- Collection agent

The rules will come into force from 1st April 2026, with EPR targets applicable from FY2026-27.

Recyclers and refurbishers will generate EPR Certificates, which producers can purchase to fulfil their obligations, and which will be valid for only two years.

Producers must meet annual recycling targets starting at 10% of the average life of products, progressively increasing to 75% by 2032-33.

Mandatory registration on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal for all entities in the value chain.

Who should take note? 

Non-ferrous metal product manufacturers

Importers and assemblers of metal-containing products

Importers of used devices, products, or scrap of non-ferrous metals

Recycling and refurbishment companies

Large bulk consumers

Provision for environmental compensation in case of non-compliance.

Minimum recycled content requirements will apply to new products manufactured domestically.

These rules define the responsibilities of all the stakeholder that applies to all manufacturers, producers and all entities involved in the generation and management of Non-ferrous metals.

For more information, you can access the official notification issued by the ministry from here: MoEFCC Notifies EPR Framework for Scrap of Non-Ferrous Metals

Extension of Timeline for Filing Annual Returns under Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022

The Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change has extended the timeline for Filing Annual Returns Under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, for the FY 2024-25.

New Deadline: 30th September 2025.  

This extension offers producers more time to ensure they fulfil their EPR obligations accurately and efficiently.  

Note: Producers are advised not to wait until the deadline and to file the annual return on time. Failure to do so may result in environmental compensation penalties.  

For more information, you can access the official notification issued by the ministry from here: Filing Annual Returns under Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022  

CPCB Extended Deadline for Filing EPR Under E-Waste Management

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has extended the deadline for filing both quarterly and annual returns under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, for the FY-2024–25.

New Deadline: 15th August 2025 

EPR Certificate Transactions: During this extended period, EPR Certificate generation & transfer will continue as usual on the portal. 

Note: Stakeholders are advised to file the annual return before the extended deadline to avoid any potential penalties under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.  

For more information, you can access the official notification issued by the ministry from here: Extended Deadline for Filing EPR Under E-Waste Management

Deadline Extended for Quarterly & Annual Returns for Waste Tyre

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has extended the deadline for filing Quarterly & Annual Returns under the Waste Tyre EPR Framework for FY 2024–25.

Key Points:  

New Due Date:15th August 2025

During this extended period, EPR Certificate generation & transfer will continue as usual via the EPR Portal.

Ensure records are updated and submissions are done on time, as delays may lead to Environmental Compensation under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

For more information, you can access the official notification issued by the ministry from here: Deadline Extended for Quarterly & Annual Returns for Waste Tyre

Voice Compliance

TRAI Strengthens Regulatory Coordination to Curb Spam and Cyber Threats

TRAI Launches Pilot Project for Digital Consent Management in Partnership with RBI and Banks

On July 22, 2025, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) called a meeting of the Joint Committee of Regulators, uniting key stakeholders from Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Department of Telecommunications (DOT), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), & now National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman highlighted the urgent need for strengthened collaboration across telecom, financial, and security regulators to effectively address spam, telecom infrastructure misuse, and the growing threat of digital payment fraud through seamless inter-agency coordination.

The key outcomes of the Meeting:

1600-Series for Financial Calls

TRAI is pushing for a dedicated 1600-series number range for service and transactional calls in the banking and financial sector. This will roll out in phases to boost caller identity & trust.

Pilot Launch: Digital Consent Acquisition

A national pilot has begun to create a secure, digital platform for capturing user consent for commercial communications. This replaces unreliable offline consents with a tamper-proof, user-friendly system where users can easily register, view, or withdraw their consent.

Leading banks like State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Canara Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank are part of this pilot, coordinated with major telecom operators.

Faster Data Sharing to Prevent Fraud

Efforts are underway to automate the sharing of fraud/spam data between:

I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre)

DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform

DLT platforms by telecom operators

This helps in quicker detection and disconnection of numbers involved in scams.

Tackling Misuse of Enterprise Telecom Lines

Issues around SIP/PRI lines being used for bulk spam were discussed. Potential solutions include assigning specific number ranges and adding stricter checks for enterprise customers.

Upgraded SMS Header Portal

TRAI’s portal https://lnkd.in/gR7newZt is now enhanced, allowing users to easily identify which company or entity is sending them commercial SMS.

NPCI Becomes a Strategic Member of JCoR

With rising payment-related frauds, NPCI’s inclusion adds valuable insights from the digital payments sector.

For more information, you can access the official notification issued by the ministry from here: TRAI Circular to Curb Spam and Cyber Threats

BEE

Submission of Outstanding Production Data and Labelling Fees for FY 2017-2024

In their latest notification dated 21st July, BEE has informed all the applicants registered under the S&L program that the link for submitting the production data upload (i.e. paying the star labelling fee) is now active for the fiscal year from 2017-2024.

All permittees/manufacturers registered under BEE’s Standards & Labelling (S&L) Program are required to complete the respective process as per the given table.

Financial Year	Deadline to submit the PDU
FY 2017-2024	25th August 2025

Labelling Fees: A 10% annual penalty will be applicable for all pending labelling fees.

Nil Production Declaration (if applicable):

- If no production occurred in any quarter, enter “0” for that quarter.

- Upload a Chartered Accountant (CA)-certified statement to support the nil declaration.

- Failure to upload the CA certificate will be considered non-compliance.

Consequences of Non-Compliance: Missing the deadline will lead to suspension of portal access.

To ensure seamless business operations and avoid penalties or access restrictions, all permittees/manufacturers are strongly advised to complete the submission process well before the deadline.

For more information, you can access the official notification issued by the ministry from here: Submission of Outstanding Production Data and Labelling Fees for FY 2017-2024

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