India has just updated the market access rules for electrical appliances. Deadline: 1 October 2026. Here are the key measures introduced.
On 6 April 2026, the Indian government published in the Official Gazette the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026 — or simply the QCO 2026. This measure directly affects anyone exporting household appliances and electrical devices to India: without BIS certification (Bureau of Indian Standards), from 1 October 2026 it will no longer be possible to sell, import, or distribute 90 categories of products in the country. This article explains what is changing, which products are affected, and how to prepare in time.
What the QCO 2026 Provides
The decree is issued by the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry (DPIIT) under Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016. It fully replaces the 2025 version of the same order, keeping the list of 90 products subject to the obligation unchanged, but updating the compliance deadlines.
Deadlines have been extended to give manufacturers more time to comply. But beware: an extension does not reduce the urgency.
Business category | QCO 2025 deadline | QCO 2026 deadline |
General manufacturers (excluding micro and small enterprises) | 19 March 2026 | 1 October 2026 |
Small enterprises | 19 June 2026 | 1 January 2027 |
Micro enterprises | 19 September 2026 | 1 April 2027 |
The Reference Technical Standard: IS 302 (Part 1): 2024
The standard IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 — Household and Similar Electrical Appliances Safety, Part 1: General Requirements is aligned with the international standard IEC 60335-1: 2020. This makes it familiar to those who already certify their products for the European or North American markets, even though the assessment procedures in India follow specific pathways.
The standard covers:
- Electrical safety and insulation: prevention of shocks and leakage
- Mechanical protection: moving parts, structural resistance
- Thermal and overload protection: operating temperatures and fault scenarios
- Fire prevention
- Radiation, toxicity, and other category-specific hazards
- Markings and instructions for the end user
As set out in the decree, the most up-to-date version of the standard always applies. It is therefore important to verify, at the time of preparing the dossier, that the regulatory reference is the one currently in force.
The 90 Products Subject to Mandatory Certification
The QCO 2026 covers a very broad scope, going well beyond classic kitchen appliances. Below are the products grouped by area, with a focus on those most relevant to industrial exports.
Kitchen and Food Preparation
- Vacuum cleaners and wet cleaning machines
- Ovens (convection, steam, combination), cooktops, grills
- Air fryers and deep fryers — domestic and commercial
- Coffee machines (espresso, filter, capsule), kettles, beverage warmers
- Blenders, juicers, food processors, stand mixers
- Slicers, choppers, coffee grinders, grain mills
- Domestic and industrial dishwashers
Personal Care and Wellness
- Shavers, epilators, clippers — AC, DC, and battery-powered
- Hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons (electric heating tools)
- Electric toothbrushes and oral hygiene devices
- Massagers (handheld, chair, foot)
- Saunas, infrared cabins, tanning beds
- Laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) skin care devices
Air Conditioning and Air Quality
- Air purifiers — including cordless battery-powered versions
- Humidifiers, vaporisers
- Fan heaters, thermal storage heaters
Home Appliances
- Tumble dryers (drum, heated airer)
- Steam irons, vertical steamers
- Electric brooms and battery-powered (DC) vacuum cleaners
- Floor cleaning robots, steam mops
- Electric doorbells and intercoms
Commercial and Professional Equipment
- Convection ovens, steam cookers, combination ovens for catering
- Commercial fryers, grills, contact grills
- Industrial dishwashers, rinsing tanks
- Heating plates, Bain-Marie, heated cabinets
- Commercial extraction hoods
- Vacuum packaging machines
Mobility and Other Products
- Electric scooters and personal e-transporters (including hoverboards)
- Furniture with motorised parts (recliner chairs, adjustable beds)
- Whirlpool pools and Jacuzzi tubs
- Motorised gates and garage doors
- Aquarium and garden pond equipment
DC and Battery-Powered Devices
The QCO 2026 explicitly extends the obligation to devices powered by direct current or rechargeable batteries — a new development compared to many previous interpretations. Products affected include:
- Cordless vacuum cleaners (DC)
- Battery-powered shavers and clippers
- Portable battery-powered massagers
- Cordless blenders and juicers
- Cordless electric toothbrushes and oral hygiene devices
- Portable battery-powered air purifiers
Exemptions Under the Decree
Not everything falls within the obligation. The QCO 2026 provides for specific exemptions, such as products already subject to other QCOs, production exclusively for export, imports for R&D purposes, and pre-deadline stock.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failing to comply means being at risk of customs blockage, market seizure, financial penalties, criminal proceedings, and reputational damage.
How We Can Help You
For over 40 years, we have been supporting companies through testing, certification, and compliance processes at an international level.
For the QCO 2026, our support covers the entire process:
- Coverage analysis: we verify whether and how your products fall within the 90 categories of the decree, preventing unnecessary testing costs
- Testing service
- Documentation preparation: we prepare all documentation required for the application in the correct format
- Inspection support: we prepare your team and facility for the BIS inspector visit
- Follow-up and monitoring: we manage the dossier through to licence issuance, with regular status updates
- Ongoing compliance: we handle renewals, surveillances, and regulatory updates to keep you compliant over time.
In Summary
The QCO 2026 is not an entirely new development — the path towards mandatory compliance for electrical appliances in India was already underway with the QCO 2025. The extension to 1 October 2026 provides more breathing room, but does not change the substance: anyone wishing to sell in the Indian market must hold BIS certification.