BIS Standards Update October 2026: 35 Standards Notified, What Businesses Must Know

A product may be manufactured according to an Indian Standard, but what happens when BIS introduces a revised edition? Can manufacturers continue using the older standard? Do importers need fresh certification? And does every newly notified standard automatically become mandatory?

These questions matter following the latest BIS Standards Update October 2026.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified 35 Indian Standards through two Gazette notifications published on 16 October 2026. The standards cover electrical equipment, medical devices, hospital furniture, surgical instruments, solar equipment, industrial machinery, transport products and information technology.

The standards were established on 5 October 2026. For older editions specifically identified in the notifications, BIS has set 5 April 2027 as the withdrawal date.

Manufacturers, importers and suppliers dealing with the affected products should review which standards apply to them. However, the notifications do not make BIS certification compulsory for all 35 standards. Any mandatory certification requirement must be checked separately.

BIS October 2026 Notifications: What Has Been Announced?

BIS has issued two notifications under Rule 15(1) of the Bureau of Indian Standards Rules, 2018. These establish new and revised Indian Standards and identify earlier editions scheduled for withdrawal.

The changes cover different industries. Some standards relate to commonly used electrical equipment, while others deal with specialised medical instruments, industrial equipment or technical terminology.

Here are the main details.

The notifications do not say that every business handling these products must obtain a new licence. Their immediate legal effect is the establishment of the listed standards and the scheduled withdrawal of identified earlier editions.

For businesses, the important task is to check whether their existing product specifications, test reports or certification arrangements refer to a standard that has now been revised.

Why Does the October 2026 BIS Standards Update Matter?

Indian Standards are used for a range of purposes. Manufacturers may refer to them while designing products, laboratories may use them for testing, and buyers may mention specific standards in purchase agreements.

When BIS establishes a revised standard, businesses using an older edition have a reason to review their technical documents.

Consider a company manufacturing hospital trolleys. If its specifications refer to an older Indian Standard, the company needs to establish whether the revised edition affects the product. The same consideration applies to businesses supplying electronic components, alternators, sterilizers or other covered equipment.

The practical impact will differ from product to product.

For some companies, the immediate work may involve checking documents and standard references. Others may need a technical comparison of the revised and previous editions.

Businesses operating under a compulsory BIS certification scheme may also need to examine the applicable certification instructions.

The key point is that a revised standard does not automatically mean every affected product requires a fresh BIS licence or immediate retesting.

Those decisions depend on the actual standard and any separately applicable legal requirements.

Complete List of 35 BIS Standards Notified in October 2026

The two Gazette notifications cover 35 standards. The following tables identify the subject of each standard, its number and the earlier edition specified for withdrawal, where applicable.

BIS Notification No. 627: List of 23 Indian Standards

The previous Indian Standards identified in this notification are scheduled for withdrawal on 5 April 2027.

BIS Notification No. 628: List of 12 Indian Standards

As with the first notification, the identified earlier standards are scheduled for withdrawal on 5 April 2027.

The tables use shortened product descriptions for easier reading. Exact titles, corresponding international references and applicable scopes should be checked against the official standards before they are used in technical or certification documents.

Which Industries Are Affected by the New BIS Standards?

The October 2026 notifications cover several sectors, but not every business in these industries will be directly affected. Applicability depends on the products, components or technical processes involved.

Electrical Equipment and Electronics Manufacturers

The update includes standards for earthing, USB power socket outlets, thermistors, fixed resistors and alternators. Manufacturers working with these products should review the relevant Indian Standard before making changes to their product specifications or testing arrangements.

For businesses supplying electrical or electronic products in India, checking BIS certification requirements is also important when a separately applicable Quality Control Order covers the product.

Medical Equipment Manufacturers and Suppliers

Healthcare products account for a significant portion of the notified standards.

The list includes sterilizers, stretchers, patient trolleys, hospital furniture, surgical clamps, epidural needles and surgical staplers. Manufacturers may need to review whether revised standards affect their product specifications or existing technical documentation.

Hospitals and medical equipment purchasers may also want to check the standard editions mentioned in their procurement requirements. These BIS notifications do not, by themselves, amend any separate CDSCO medical device licensing requirements.

Solar Energy Businesses

The notification includes IS/IEC 627591:2022, which concerns transportation testing of photovoltaic module package units. This standard may be relevant to solar module manufacturers, packaging teams and suppliers responsible for shipping solar equipment. Businesses should obtain the full standard to understand its technical scope and testing provisions.

Industrial Equipment and Transport Businesses

The updated standards include industrial towing trucks, freight containers, transport tractors, trailers and safety glass used in ships.

Businesses manufacturing or supplying these products should identify which standards apply to their equipment and whether older technical references need updating.

Information Technology and Printing Equipment Companies

The notifications also cover toner cartridge yield, print cartridge characterisation, programming languages and quantum computing terminology.

Some of these standards provide measurement methods or common technical language rather than product certification specifications.

The right approach is to examine each standard individually instead of assuming that every IT-related notification requires product testing or registration.

Important BIS Standards Manufacturers Should Know About

Although all 35 standards deserve attention from affected businesses, some may be especially relevant to product manufacturers, importers and technical teams.

IS 19820:2026 USB Power Socket-Outlets

USB charging facilities are incorporated into different electrical accessories and installations. IS 19820:2026 establishes an Indian Standard for socket-outlets incorporating USB power supply. The Gazette identifies its relationship with IEC 6088431:2021, with modifications.

Manufacturers and importers handling this type of socket-outlet should check whether the standard covers their exact product design. If the product is subject to mandatory certification under a separate legal requirement, the applicable conformity assessment process must also be reviewed.

The notification alone does not establish a new universal BIS certification requirement for all USB equipped socket-outlets.

IS 3043:2026 Earthing Code of Practice

Earthing is an important part of electrical installation design. IS 3043:2026 establishes the third revision of the Indian Standard concerning earthing practices.

It replaces the earlier IS 3043:2018 edition according to the notified withdrawal schedule.

Electrical contractors, engineers, infrastructure businesses and organisations using this code in technical specifications may need to review the updated edition. The full text should be examined before identifying any specific changes to installation methods or technical parameters.

IS 13364:2026 AC Generators and Alternators

The revised IS 13364:2026 covers AC generators driven by reciprocating internal combustion engines, specifically alternators rated up to 2,250 kVA.

The notification identifies the earlier IS 13364 Parts 1 and 2 of 1992 for withdrawal. Manufacturers and suppliers of relevant alternators should compare their current technical references with the revised edition. Where a separate mandatory certification requirement applies to particular equipment, that requirement must be checked independently.

Revised Standards for Medical Equipment

Several standards cover products used in hospitals and medical procedures. For example, IS 4035:2026 concerns stretcher trolleys, while IS 4036:2026 concerns patient trolleys.

The notification also establishes revisions for different sterilizers and specialised surgical instruments. Businesses manufacturing these products should check whether their designs, specifications or product documentation refer to the older editions.

A technical review should establish which requirements have changed, if any, before a manufacturer decides that redesign or additional testing is necessary.

IS/IEC 627591:2022Solar PV Module Transportation Testing

Solar equipment can pass through several handling and transport stages before reaching the installation site.

IS/IEC 627591:2022 provides a standard concerning the transportation and shipping of PV module package units. It may be relevant to manufacturers and suppliers evaluating packaging or transport-related specifications.

The Gazette establishes the standard but does not provide the full test procedures. Any technical assessment must therefore refer to the actual standard.

New BIS Standards vs Revised BIS Standards: What Is the Difference?

A newly established standard and a revised edition do not always require the same response from businesses.

A manufacturer using an existing standard may need to compare both editions. A company dealing with a newly standardised product may instead need to determine whether the standard is relevant to its products or operations.

Neither situation automatically creates a requirement to submit a fresh BIS certification application.

BIS Standards Withdrawal Date: What Changes on 5 April 2027?

The date 5 April 2027 is an important part of both notifications.

BIS has established the new and revised standards from 5 October 2026. The earlier editions specifically identified in the Gazette schedules remain in force concurrently until their scheduled withdrawal on 5 April 2027.

This creates a period during which businesses can review their standard references and understand the revisions.

However, the withdrawal date should not be confused with a universal deadline for BIS registration, product testing or licence renewal.

Important Dates for Businesses

Can Businesses Continue Using the Older Standards Until April 2027?

The notifications provide for concurrent operation of the earlier listed standards until their withdrawal. However, this does not automatically mean that an older edition will be acceptable for every certification, procurement or regulatory purpose throughout the period.

The applicable QCO, certification scheme, contract and any specific BIS instructions may affect which edition should be used. Businesses should verify these requirements before relying on an older standard.

Is BIS Certification Mandatory for All 35 Standards?

No. The October 2026 notifications do not make BIS certification compulsory for every product covered by the 35 Indian Standards.

This is an important distinction because the words "BIS Standard" and "BIS Certification" are often used together, even though they do not mean the same thing. An Indian Standard provides specifications, technical requirements, methods or terminology.

BIS certification involves conformity assessment under an applicable certification scheme. In India, BIS certification is generally voluntary unless a relevant law or Quality Control Order makes compliance compulsory for a particular product.

When Does BIS Certification Become Compulsory?

Mandatory certification may apply where the Central Government has issued an applicable Quality Control Order or another legally binding requirement.

The business must check:

• Whether its product falls within the notified product category.
• Which Indian Standard is specified?
• Which certification scheme applies.
• Whether the requirement has commenced.
• Whether any exemption or transitional condition applies.

The exact product matters. A broad description such as "electrical equipment" or "medical equipment" does not establish that every product in that category requires certification.

What Should Importers Check?

Importers should establish whether the product they intend to bring into India is covered by compulsory BIS certification requirements.

This involves examining the product description and applicable regulatory instrument rather than relying only on a supplier's commercial description. Where mandatory certification applies, importers may need to ensure that the goods satisfy the relevant requirements before import or supply, subject to applicable provisions. A newly established Indian Standard should not, by itself, be treated as a new import restriction.

How Do the Revised BIS Standards Affect Existing Licence Holders?

Businesses already holding BIS licences may have additional questions when a standard is revised. For instance, a licence may refer to a particular Indian Standard and edition. If BIS establishes a newer edition, the manufacturer should check whether the licence is affected.

The appropriate action depends on the certification scheme and applicable BIS instructions.

What Existing Licence Holders Should Review

• Applicable standard: Check whether the licence refers to an edition that is scheduled for withdrawal.
• Product scope: Confirm that the product and its variants remain correctly identified under the applicable standard.
• Testing arrangements: Review whether BIS has issued any instructions requiring additional testing or conformity assessment.
• Technical documentation: Check whether manufacturing records or quality procedures rely on old standard references.
• Official transition instructions: Determine whether any separate requirements apply to the particular licensed product.

A revised standard does not necessarily mean the manufacturer must submit a completely new BIS licence application.

Businesses should verify the official requirements before taking that step.

What Manufacturers and Importers Should Do After the BIS Update

A useful compliance review starts with the product, not the notification headline. Manufacturers and importers should first determine whether any of the 35 standards are relevant to their business. If they are, the following steps can help organise the review.

Step 1: Identify the Correct Product Standard

Find the Indian Standard that relates to the actual product, component or activity. Check the complete title and technical scope rather than relying on a short product description.

Step 2: Check Whether the Standard Has Been Revised

If an older edition is identified in the Gazette, review which edition is currently referenced in the company's technical documents. A comparison of the full editions may be needed to establish whether any relevant requirements have changed.

Step 3: Verify Mandatory BIS Certification Requirements

Check the current BIS compulsory certification list and any applicable QCO. This is particularly important for manufacturers and importers planning a BIS certification application. Businesses should not start an application merely because a standard appears in the October notifications.

Step 4: Review Existing Testing and Documentation

Where relevant, examine technical specifications, test reports, quality procedures and supplier documents. Identify whether any records reference a standard that is scheduled for withdrawal.

Additional testing should only be planned after the actual technical and regulatory requirements are established.

Step 5: Check the Applicable Transition Period

For revised standards, examine the 5 April 2027 withdrawal date along with any separately applicable certification instructions. Where a specific QCO or licence arrangement imposes an earlier or different requirement, that must also be considered.

Step 6: Seek Relevant BIS Compliance Assistance

When applicability or certification requirements are unclear, professional compliance support may help a business identify the appropriate route.

This can be useful for manufacturers applying for certification, foreign manufacturers evaluating FMCS requirements and importers checking product compliance before entering the Indian market.

BIS Certification Checklist for Manufacturers and Importers

The following checklist can help businesses assess their position before making certification or testing decisions.

Businesses can use this checklist as an internal review tool.

It does not mean every listed activity is legally mandatory for every manufacturer or importer.

Risks Businesses Should Avoid During the BIS Standards Transition

Ignoring the status of an Indian Standard can create avoidable problems, particularly where it is used in contracts, product documentation or regulatory submissions.

Continuing to Refer to a Withdrawn Standard

A manufacturer may continue using old standard numbers in its specifications or technical records without noticing that a revised edition has replaced them. After withdrawal, these references may need attention depending on the applicable requirements.

Assuming Every New BIS Standard Requires Certification

This can lead to confusion, unnecessary applications or unsuitable compliance planning. Before starting a BIS certification process, businesses should establish whether certification is required and which scheme applies.

Using the Wrong Standard for a Product

Similar products may be covered by different technical specifications. Correct identification is important for product development, testing and certification decisions.

Ignoring Separate Certification Instructions

A Gazette notification establishing a revised standard does not necessarily contain all the rules relevant to an existing BIS licence.

Affected licence holders should review applicable BIS instructions and governing certification requirements.

How to Apply for BIS Certification in India if Your Product Is Covered

Not every product listed in the October notifications needs compulsory certification. However, businesses whose products fall under an applicable certification requirement must follow the relevant scheme.

The first step is confirming that the product is covered by a binding requirement. After that, the manufacturer should identify the applicable certification route. Depending on the product and scheme, the process may involve:

1. Confirming product and standard applicability.
2. Identifying the appropriate BIS certification scheme.
3. Preparing scheme specific application information and documents.
4. Completing any required product testing or factory assessment.
5. Submitting the application through the applicable BIS process.
6. Responding to official observations or requests, where necessary.
7. Obtaining the required licence or certificate before undertaking activities for which it is legally required.

The actual steps are not identical for every product.

For example, the requirements under a product certification scheme for an Indian manufacturer may differ from those under a registration scheme or the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme.

Businesses seeking BIS Certification for Manufacturers or BIS Certification for Importers should therefore check the exact regulatory route rather than relying on a general application checklist.

BIS Certification for Foreign Manufacturers and Importers

Foreign manufacturers supplying regulated products to India may need to understand the applicable BIS requirements before entering the market.

Where the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) applies, the manufacturer must follow the relevant scheme requirements. The October 2026 standard notifications do not mean that every foreign supplier of the listed products must obtain FMCS certification.

Applicability depends on the product and the governing certification requirement.

Importers should coordinate with their manufacturers to verify the correct standard, product coverage and certification status.

Where applicable, BIS FMCS Certification assistance may help foreign manufacturers understand the relevant application requirements. Businesses should also distinguish the manufacturer's certification responsibilities from any separate obligations imposed on importers under Indian law.

How Corpseed Can Help with BIS Certification and Compliance

For manufacturers and importers, the difficult part of a regulatory update is often deciding what actually applies to their product.

A business may know that BIS has revised a standard but still need to determine whether certification is compulsory, which scheme applies or whether an existing licence is affected. Corpseed provides business compliance support, including relevant BIS Certification Services in India. Depending on the product and applicable requirements, assistance may cover the following areas.

BIS Certification Applicability Assessment

Before preparing an application, businesses should establish whether their product falls under a mandatory certification requirement.

Corpseed can assist with reviewing relevant product information and identifying the regulatory route that may apply.

BIS Certification for Indian Manufacturers

Manufacturers subject to an applicable certification requirement may need support with understanding documentation, application procedures and coordination of scheme specific requirements.

Corpseed's BIS certification assistance can help businesses organise the process.

BIS FMCS Support for Foreign Manufacturers

Eligible foreign manufacturers may seek assistance in understanding the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme and the relevant approval process.

BIS Product Testing and Documentation Support

Businesses may need to identify the correct Indian Standard and understand the associated testing or documentation requirements. Relevant assistance can include reviewing compliance requirements and coordinating appropriate next steps, depending on the product and scheme.

Existing BIS Licence and Standards Review

Manufacturers already holding BIS licences may need to examine whether revised standards affect their certification arrangements. A structured compliance review can help identify questions that should be checked against official BIS instructions.

Need BIS certification or unsure whether the October 2026 standards affect your product?

Get in touch with Corpseed for assistance with BIS certification applicability, product compliance requirements and relevant application procedures.

Key Takeaways

The October 2026 BIS update establishes 35 Indian Standards across several manufacturing and technical sectors. These standards were established on 5 October 2026 through notifications dated 6 October 2026 and published on 16 October 2026.

For earlier standards identified in the Gazette schedules, 5 April 2027 is the scheduled withdrawal date. Businesses using the older editions should examine whether the revisions affect their technical specifications, documentation or certification arrangements.

The most important point is that a newly notified Indian Standard does not automatically create a mandatory BIS certification requirement. Manufacturers and importers should check product applicability, existing QCOs and relevant BIS instructions before making certification or testing decisions.

For businesses that need certification, choosing the correct scheme and preparing according to the applicable requirements is more useful than responding to every standard update with a fresh application.