Smartphone screen protectors to need BIS registration from April 2027

Smartphone screen protectors will have to meet a mandatory Indian Standard from April 1, 2027, with the government bringing them under the compulsory registration regime for electronics and information technology goods.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a Gazette notification dated September 21 amending the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. The amendment adds "Screen Protectors for smartphones" as a new entry in the schedule of products covered by the order.

Under the change, the provisions of the 2021 order will apply to the newly added goods, which must conform to the corresponding Indian Standard listed in the schedule. The requirement takes effect from April 1, 2027, giving manufacturers and other entities dealing in these products a transition period running until March 31, 2027.

The notification was issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, which allows the government to prescribe mandatory standards for products in the public interest. MeitY said the amendment was made after it was of the opinion that it was necessary or expedient to do so in the public interest.

The compulsory registration framework applies to specified electronics and information technology products, requiring them to meet the Indian Standards named in the schedule. With the latest amendment, smartphone screen protectors join that list of covered goods.