QCO 2026 – BIS Certification for Household, Commercial & Similar Electrical Appliances

On 6 April 2026, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (DPIIT) issued the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026 — Gazette Notification S.O. 1739(E), File No. P-29026/36/2023-LEI, signed by Nidhi Kesarwani, Joint Secretary. This order formally supersedes and replaces the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2025, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession.

The most important practical change in the 2026 order is the revised implementation timeline. The list of 90 covered appliances remains identical to the 2025 order. The applicable Indian Standard — IS 302 (Part 1): 2024, aligned with IEC 60335-1: 2020 — also remains unchanged. What has changed are the compliance deadlines, which have been extended to give manufacturers additional preparation time.

Enterprise Category	QCO 2025 Deadline	QCO 2026 Deadline
General Manufacturers (excl. Micro & Small)	19 March 2026	1 October 2026
Small Enterprises	19 June 2026	1 January 2027
Micro Enterprises	19 September 2026	1 April 2027

While the deadline extension provides additional time, it does not reduce the urgency of beginning the BIS certification process. BIS-recognized testing laboratories experience severe backlogs as deadlines approach — manufacturers who wait until the final months face testing queues of 3 to 6 months, which may cause them to miss the deadline despite starting what they believe to be in time.

The QCO 2026 is issued under Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 and applies to all electrical appliances intended for household, commercial, or similar applications with a rated voltage not exceeding 250V for single-phase appliances and not exceeding 480V for other appliances — including direct current (DC) supplied appliances and battery-operated appliances. The order mandates that all covered appliances must conform to IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 and bear the Standard Mark (ISI Mark) under a valid BIS licence issued as per Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

As per the order, the latest version of Indian Standards shall apply for all purposes under this QCO. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is designated as the sole certifying and enforcement authority. Any person who contravenes the provisions of this order is punishable under the provisions of the BIS Act, 2016.

The following categories are explicitly exempt from the QCO 2026:

• Appliances already covered under other QCOs — electrical appliances that fall under the scope of any other Quality Control Order issued under the BIS Act, 2016, or notified for mandatory BIS certification under any other Act are not additionally covered by this order.

• Goods manufactured domestically for export — products manufactured in India exclusively for export to international markets are exempt.

• R&D imports — up to 200 units per year imported by manufacturers of household and similar electrical appliances for research and development purposes are exempt, provided these units are not sold commercially, are disposed of as scrap, and year-wise records are maintained and made available to the Central Government on demand.

• Pre-implementation stock — goods or articles domestically manufactured or imported before the applicable implementation date by a manufacturer who is already BIS certified, or who has applied to BIS for certification of the relevant goods before the deadline. Such manufacturers are permitted to sell, display, or offer for sale such declared stock for up to 6 months from the implementation date — provided a formal declaration is made to BIS.

The consequences of non-compliance after the QCO 2026 implementation date are immediate and serious under the BIS Act, 2016:

• Customs rejection — shipments of notified appliances arriving at Indian ports without a valid BIS licence will be detained or rejected by customs authorities, resulting in costly demurrage charges and shipment returns

• Market seizure — BIS enforcement officers can seize non-certified products from warehouses, distribution points, and retail outlets

• Financial penalties — violations are punishable under the BIS Act, 2016, with fines up to INR 5 lakh per offence for first-time violations

• Legal prosecution — repeat or serious violations can result in criminal prosecution under the BIS Act, 2016

• Brand damage — public enforcement actions and market withdrawals permanently damage supplier credibility with Indian buyers, distributors, and government procurement bodies

• Contract ineligibility — government tenders, public sector procurement, and large enterprise supply chains in India uniformly require BIS-certified inputs. Non-compliant suppliers are disqualified from these channels entirely.

The following 90 electrical appliance categories are mandatorily covered under the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026, and must be BIS certified under IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 before the applicable implementation deadline.

Sr. No.	Appliance Name	Notes
1	Vacuum Cleaners & Water Suction Cleaning Appliances	Dry & wet cleaning models; domestic & commercial
2	Spin Extractors	Laundry spin dryers
3	Cooking Ranges, Hobs, Ovens & Similar Appliances	Includes induction & gas-electric combos with electrical connections
4	Electrical Shavers, Hair Clippers & Similar Appliances	AC, DC, rechargeable types
5	Tumbler Dryers	Domestic & commercial clothes dryers
6	Warming Plates & Similar Appliances	Includes buffet warmers
7	Frying Pans, Deep Fat Fryers & Similar Appliances	Domestic & commercial fryers
8	Appliances for Heating Liquids	Kettles, soup warmers, beverage heaters
9	Massage Appliances	Handheld, chair, foot massagers
10	Electric Forced Convection Ovens, Steam Cookers & Steam-Convection Ovens	Includes combi-ovens
11	Electric Heating Tools	Soldering irons, hair straighteners, curling tools
12	Electric Steam Cookers	Standalone & multifunction
13	Insect Killers	Mosquito zappers, bug killers
14	Electric Call Bells & Buzzers (Indoor)	Wired & wireless models
15	Electric Water Boilers	Tea/coffee boilers
16	Electric Coffee Makers	Espresso, drip, capsule machines
17	Electric Bean Slicers	Food processing use
18	Electric Berry-Juice Extractors	Commercial & domestic
19	Electric Can Openers	Handheld & countertop
20	Electric Centrifugal Juicers	High-speed juicers
21	Electric Churns	Dairy/milk churners
22	Electric Citrus-Fruit Squeezers	Manual-assist & fully electric
23	Electric Coffee Mills (500g hopper)	Coffee grinders
24	Electric Cream Whippers	Whipping & frothing devices
25	Electric Egg Beaters	Stand & hand mixers
26	Electric Food Processors	Chopping, grinding, mixing units
27	Electric Grain Grinders (3L hopper)	For grains & spices
28	Electric Graters	Cheese & vegetable graters
29	Electric Ice-Cream Machines	Includes freezer-compatible models
30	Electric Knife Sharpeners	Rotary & belt sharpeners
31	Electric Knives	Kitchen & carving knives
32	Electric Noodle Makers	Pasta & noodle presses
33	Electric Potato Peelers	Domestic & commercial use
34	Electric Shredders	Food shredding machines
35	Electric Sieving Machines	For flour & powdered goods
36	Slicing Machines	Meat, bread, vegetable slicers
37	Electric Hot Plates	Single & double plate
38	Single Walled Baking Ovens	Domestic/commercial bakery ovens
39	Low Speed Food Grinding Machines	For spices & grains
40	Dishwashers	Domestic & commercial
41	Floor Treatment Machines & Wet Scrubbing Machines	Includes floor polishers
42	Food Waste Disposers	Kitchen sink disposal units
43	Blankets, Pads, Clothing & Similar Flexible Heating Appliances	Electric blankets, heated wear
44	Appliances for Skin Exposure to Optical Radiation	UV therapy, tanning lamps
45	Commercial Electric Cooking Ranges, Ovens, Hobs & Hob Elements	Heavy-duty kitchens
46	Commercial Electric Doughnut Fryers & Deep Fat Fryers	Bakery & fast food equipment
47	Commercial Electric Griddles & Griddle Grills	Flat-top grills
48	Commercial Electric Multi-Purpose Cooking Pans	For soups, sauces, curries
49	Commercial Electric Forced Convection Ovens, Steam Cookers & Steam-Convection Ovens	Catering ovens
50	Clothes Dryers & Towel Rails	Electric towel warmers
51	Commercial Electric Boiling Pans	Catering & food processing
52	Commercial Electric Grillers & Toasters	Contact & conveyor toasters
53	Commercial Electric Appliances for Keeping Food & Crockery Warm	Banquet warmers
54	Commercial Electric Bains-Marie	Buffet heating stations
55	Oral Hygiene Appliances	Electric toothbrushes, flossers
56	Sauna Heating Appliances & Infrared Cabins	Wellness equipment
57	Surface-Cleaning Appliances for Household Use Employing Liquids or Steam	Steam mops, carpet cleaners
58	Electrical Appliances for Use with Aquariums & Garden Ponds	Pumps, filters
59	Commercial Electric Dishwashing Machines	Industrial dishwashers
60	Whirlpool Baths & Whirlpool Spas	Jacuzzi systems
61	Thermal Storage Room Heaters	Night storage heaters
62	Commercial Electric Rinsing Sinks	Industrial sinks
63	Commercial Electric Kitchen Machines	Heavy-duty mixers
64	Air-Cleaning Appliances	Air purifiers, ionizers
65	Water-Bed Heaters	Heating systems for beds
66	Fixed Immersion Heaters	Industrial tanks, boilers
67	Outdoor Barbecues	Electric grills
68	Foot Warmers & Heating Mats	Home & spa
69	Amusement Machines & Personal Service Machines	Arcade & vending
70	Toilet Appliances	Bidets, smart toilets
71	Fabric Steamers	Handheld & standing steamers
72	Drives for Vertically Moving Garage Doors (Residential Use)	Motorized garage door openers
73	Humidifiers	Cool & warm mist
74	Commercial Electric Hoods	Kitchen exhaust systems
75	Vaporizers	Room vaporizers, inhalers
76	Gas, Oil & Solid-Fuel Burning Appliances Having Electrical Connections	Hybrid heating/cooking
77	Electrolysers	Water & chemical electrolysis
78	Beauty Care Appliances Incorporating Lasers & Intense Light Sources	Hair removal, skin treatment
79	Personal-e-Transporters	E-scooters, hoverboards
80	Skin Beauty Care Appliances	Facial massagers, skin cleaners
81	Furniture with Electrically Motorized Parts	Recliners, adjustable beds
82	Commercial Vacuum Packaging Appliances	Food sealing equipment
83	Hand-Held Electric Engraving Tools	Hobby & industrial engravers
84	DC Supplied / Battery-Operated Vacuum Cleaners	Cordless models
85	DC Supplied / Battery-Operated Shavers, Trimmers & Clippers	Personal grooming tools
86	DC Supplied / Battery-Operated Massage Appliances	Portable massagers
87	DC Supplied / Battery-Operated Blenders & Juicers	Cordless kitchen tools
88	DC Supplied / Battery-Operated Toothbrush & Oral Hygiene Appliances	Portable dental care
89	DC Supplied / Battery-Operated Foot Warmers & Heating Mats	Cordless heated mats
90	DC Supplied / Battery-Operated Air Purifiers	Portable air cleaners

The technical backbone of the QCO 2026 is IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 — formally titled Household and Similar Electrical Appliances — Safety — Part 1: General Requirements. This Indian Standard is aligned with the internationally recognised IEC 60335-1: 2020, bringing India's safety requirements for electrical appliances in line with global benchmarks. Certification under this QCO is granted through Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, and products that successfully complete the process are authorised to bear the ISI Mark — the Standard Mark issued under a valid BIS licence. As per the order, the latest version of Indian Standards shall apply for all purposes under this QCO.

IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 establishes a comprehensive safety evaluation framework that every covered appliance must pass before it can legally enter or remain in the Indian market. The standard covers electrical safety and insulation requirements to prevent shock and leakage hazards, protection against mechanical hazards arising from moving parts and structural failures, thermal and overload protection to guard against dangerous temperature rises, and fire hazard prevention measures. It also addresses radiation, toxicity, and similar hazards relevant to specific appliance categories, and sets clear requirements for markings and instructions that must accompany every certified product to ensure safe use by the end consumer.

BIS certification under the QCO 2026 follows Scheme-I under the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The process is systematic and involves the following steps:

Step 1 – Product Assessment and IS Identification

Confirm that your appliance is listed among the 90 categories covered under QCO 2026 and verify that your product's voltage rating falls within the applicable limits — 250V for single-phase appliances and 480V for DC-supplied or battery-operated appliances. Standphill India conducts this assessment for all clients as the first step, preventing unnecessary testing costs for appliances that may already be covered under another QCO.

Step 2 – Product Testing at a BIS-Recognized Laboratory

Submit product samples to a BIS-recognized, NABL-accredited laboratory for testing under IS 302 (Part 1): 2024. Testing covers electrical safety, mechanical safety, thermal protection, fire hazard prevention, and marking compliance. Each model and variant must pass the full safety evaluation independently. Standphill India coordinates with BIS-approved labs for priority testing slots and reviews all test reports before BIS submission.

Step 3 – Prepare and Submit BIS Application

Compile all required documentation — test reports, factory layout, quality management plan, machinery list, manufacturing licence, ISO certificate (if available), product photographs, label artwork, and declarations — and submit the complete application through the BIS ManakOnline portal (manakonline.in). Standphill India prepares and uploads the complete application correctly the first time, preventing BIS rejections due to incomplete or incorrectly formatted submissions.

Step 4 – BIS Factory Inspection

BIS officials visit the manufacturing facility to verify testing equipment, quality control processes, production capability, and marking and packaging compliance. Standphill India trains and prepares manufacturer teams before the inspection to ensure the process goes smoothly without non-conformities.

Step 5 – Grant of BIS ISI Mark Licence (CM/L)

Upon satisfactory completion of document scrutiny and factory inspection, BIS grants the Certification Mark Licence (CM/L). The manufacturer can immediately begin marking certified appliances with the Standard Mark plus the licence number. Standphill India follows up with BIS daily to ensure licences are issued on time.

Step 6 – Post-Certification Compliance

BIS certification is an ongoing obligation. Manufacturers must maintain production quality to BIS standards, renew the licence at the appropriate time, and allow BIS surveillance inspections as scheduled. Standphill India provides Annual Compliance Management to ensure our clients never miss renewal deadlines or surveillance obligations.

Most manufacturers wait until the final quarter before a deadline — but by then, BIS-recognized testing laboratories are fully booked, application processing times can double or triple, and market entry is delayed, causing direct loss of sales and supply chain penalties from buyers who required certified products from a specific date.

Manufacturers who certify early gain measurable commercial advantages. They can actively market their products as BIS-certified ahead of competitors who are still waiting for their licences. They avoid quality-destroying price wars with uncertified products by positioning on certified premium quality. They secure distribution agreements that require BIS compliance as a condition of listing. And they become eligible for government procurement channels and large enterprise supply chains that open up only to certified suppliers.

For foreign manufacturers specifically, early certification is even more critical. The overseas factory audit requirement under FMCS adds coordination time for international travel by BIS officials — and this process cannot be rushed. Foreign manufacturers targeting the Indian market under QCO 2026 should be initiating their FMCS applications immediately.

At Standphill India, we specialise in end-to-end BIS certification for both Indian and foreign manufacturers across all 90 appliance categories covered under QCO 2026. Our proven support system covers every stage:

1. Product Assessment — We identify the applicable BIS standard, confirm your product's coverage under QCO 2026, and define the exact certification scope before any testing begins.

2. Document Preparation — We prepare all application documents in the exact format BIS requires — factory layout, quality plan, machinery list, label artwork, declarations, and undertakings — eliminating rejection risk from the start.

3. Testing Coordination — We coordinate with BIS-recognized, NABL-accredited laboratories for priority testing slots and review all test reports before submission to ensure they are complete and compliant.

4. Application Filing — We manage the complete online application submission through BIS ManakOnline — error-free, complete, and submitted well before deadlines.

5. Inspection Support — We prepare your team and factory thoroughly for BIS inspection — so the visit goes smoothly, non-conformities are eliminated before the inspector arrives, and licence approval follows without delay.

6. Licence Approval Follow-Up — We follow up with BIS daily to ensure your licence is issued on time. You are never left wondering about the status of your application.

7. Annual Compliance Management — After certification, we manage your renewal timelines, surveillance obligations, and standard update monitoring so your BIS licence stays valid and your market access is never interrupted.

The Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026 sets a firm and enforceable compliance deadline of 1 October 2026 for general manufacturers. After that date, selling or importing any of the 90 covered appliances in India without a valid BIS licence is a legal violation — regardless of product quality, international certifications held, or market position.

The manufacturers who will be ready on time are those who start today. BIS testing queues, factory inspection scheduling, documentation preparation, and query resolution all take time — and that time is not available to those who wait until August or September 2026 to begin.

Standphill India is ready to begin your BIS certification process immediately — for any of the 90 appliance categories, for Indian manufacturers and foreign manufacturers alike. Our 20+ years of exclusive BIS expertise means you get the fastest, most reliable path to certification — with zero surprises.

Contact Standphill India today at +91-9667674225 or info@standphillindia.in and secure your BIS certification before the deadline.

Q1. What is the QCO 2026 for household electrical appliances?

The Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026 is a gazette notification (S.O. 1739(E)) issued by DPIIT on 6 April 2026. It supersedes the 2025 version of the order and establishes revised mandatory BIS certification deadlines for 90 categories of electrical appliances under IS 302 (Part 1): 2024. The new deadline for general manufacturers is 1 October 2026.

Q2. How is QCO 2026 different from QCO 2025?

The QCO 2026 supersedes the QCO 2025 entirely. The list of 90 covered appliances and the applicable Indian Standard (IS 302 Part 1: 2024) remain unchanged. The key difference is the revised implementation timeline — general manufacturers now have until 1 October 2026 (previously 19 March 2026), small enterprises until 1 January 2027, and micro enterprises until 1 April 2027.

Q3. What is the implementation deadline under QCO 2026?

General manufacturers (excluding micro and small enterprises) must comply by 1 October 2026. Small enterprises must comply by 1 January 2027. Micro enterprises must comply by 1 April 2027.

Q4. Which Indian Standard applies under QCO 2026?

IS 302 (Part 1): 2024, aligned with IEC 60335-1: 2020 — Household and Similar Electrical Appliances Safety — Part 1: General Requirements. As per the order, the latest version of Indian Standards shall apply.

Q5. Do DC-supplied and battery-operated appliances also need BIS certification under QCO 2026?

Yes. The QCO 2026 explicitly covers DC-supplied and battery-operated appliances — including cordless vacuum cleaners (Sr. No. 84), battery-operated massage appliances (86), shavers and trimmers (85), blenders and juicers (87), oral hygiene appliances (88), foot warmers (89), and air purifiers (90). All such appliances must be BIS certified under IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 before the applicable deadline.

Q6. Are products manufactured for export exempt from QCO 2026?

Yes. Goods or articles manufactured domestically for export are explicitly exempt from the QCO 2026. However, any product intended for sale in the Indian market — whether manufactured in India or imported — must carry a valid BIS ISI Mark licence.

Q7. Can I sell old stock after the QCO 2026 deadline without BIS certification?

Yes, but only under specific conditions. Stock manufactured or imported before the applicable implementation date may be sold for up to 6 months after the deadline — provided the manufacturer is already BIS certified or has applied for certification before the deadline, and has made a formal declaration of such stock to BIS. After 6 months from the deadline, all sales require a valid BIS licence.

Q8. How long does BIS certification take for household electrical appliances?

For domestic Indian manufacturers, the standard timeline is 4 to 6 weeks when documentation and testing are in order. For foreign manufacturers under FMCS, the process typically takes 8 to 12 weeks or more, depending on overseas factory inspection scheduling. Starting early is critical — BIS labs become heavily backlogged as deadlines approach.

Q9. What are the consequences of selling appliances in India without BIS certification after the deadline?

Non-compliant products are subject to customs rejection at Indian ports, seizure from the market by BIS enforcement officers, fines under the BIS Act 2016, legal prosecution for repeat or serious violations, and permanent damage to supplier credibility with Indian buyers and procurement bodies.

Q10. How can Standphill India help with BIS certification under QCO 2026?

Standphill India provides complete end-to-end BIS certification support for all 90 appliance categories covered under QCO 2026 — for Indian and foreign manufacturers. Our services include product assessment, documentation preparation, BIS-recognized lab coordination, ManakOnline application filing, factory inspection preparation, BIS query management, licence follow-up, and ongoing compliance management. With 20+ years of experience and 10,000+ certification projects, we guarantee the fastest, most reliable path to your BIS ISI Mark licence. Contact us at +91-9667674225 or info@standphillindia.in.