BIS QCO for Air Cooler and Air Filters - IS 3315 - IS 17570

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has issued the Air Cooler and Air Filters (Quality Control) Order, 2025 vide S.O. 529(E) dated 30th January, 2025, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), Part II – Section 3 – Sub-section (ii).

This Order supersedes the Air Cooler and Air Filters (Quality Control) Order, 2023 (S.O. 1114(E) dated 5th March, 2024) and comes into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette i.e. 30th January, 2025.

This QCO makes it mandatory for all Air Coolers (Evaporative / Desert Coolers) and Air Filters (for General Ventilation) to conform to the relevant Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Indian Standards and bear the ISI Mark (Standard Mark) under a valid BIS licence before being manufactured, imported, or sold in India.

REGULATORY HISTORY OF THIS QCO:

- Principal Order (2023): S.O. 1114(E) | 5th March, 2024 Air Cooler and Air Filters (Quality Control) Order, 2023 (Effective 6 months from date of publication)

- Current Order (2025): S.O. 529(E) | 30th January, 2025 Air Cooler and Air Filters (Quality Control) Order, 2025 (Supersedes 2023 Order — Effective from 30th January, 2025)

The Air Cooler and Air Filters (Quality Control) Order, 2025 applies to 2 categories of products as specified in the Table, manufactured in India for domestic sale or imported into India for commercial use.

This Order does NOT apply to:

- Air Coolers and Air Filters manufactured domestically exclusively for export

- R&D imports up to 200 units per year by manufacturers of Air Coolers and Air Filters, subject to conditions specified in the Order

- Enterprises registered on Udyam Portal with plant & machinery investment not exceeding ₹25 Lakhs AND turnover not exceeding ₹2 Crore (CA certified)

- Existing declared stock (manufactured or imported before 30th January, 2025) which may be sold up to 31st October, 2025 — subject to a declaration filed with BIS

PRODUCTS COVERED

1. AIR COOLERS – IS 3315:2019 Evaporative Air Coolers (Desert Coolers)

   This covers all types of evaporative air coolers commonly known as  Desert Coolers, including:

   • Personal / Room Air Coolers

   • Tower Air Coolers

   • Window Air Coolers

   • Industrial / Commercial Air Coolers

   • Portable Air Coolers

IS 3315:2019 specifies safety, performance, energy efficiency, and construction requirements for evaporative air coolers that use the principle of water evaporation to cool ambient air.

2. AIR FILTERS – IS 17570 (Part 1):2021 / ISO 16890-2:2016 Air Filters for General Ventilation - Technical Specifications, Requirements and Classification System based upon Particulate Matter Efficiency (ePM)

 This covers air filters used in general ventilation and HVAC systems, classified based on their ability to filter particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10). Applications include:

   • Commercial Building HVAC Systems

   • Industrial Ventilation Systems

   • Air Handling Units (AHUs)

   • Clean Room Ventilation

   • Office and Institutional Ventilation Systems

Note: The latest version of each Indian Standard including all amendments notified by BIS from time to time shall apply.

All Air Coolers and Air Filters covered under this QCO must:

- Conform to the corresponding Indian Standard as specified in the Table

- Bear the BIS Standard Mark (ISI Mark) under a valid BIS licence

- Obtain BIS certification under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018

- Be tested at BIS-recognised and NABL-accredited laboratories

1. Export Exemption:

   Air Coolers and Air Filters manufactured in India exclusively for export are fully exempt from this QCO.

2. Udyam Portal Small Manufacturer Exemption: Enterprises registered on Udyam Portal with:

   • Investment in Plant & Machinery / Equipment at original cost not exceeding ₹25 Lakhs, AND

   • Annual Turnover not exceeding ₹2 Crore (CA certified) are fully exempt from implementation of this Order.

3. R&D Import Provision:

   Manufacturers of Air Coolers and Air Filters may import up to 200 units of goods per year for R&D purposes, provided:

   • Such imported goods are NOT sold commercially

   • Goods are disposed of as scrap after R&D use

   • Year-wise records are maintained and furnished to the Central Government

4. Existing Stock Clearance Provision: Manufacturers certified by BIS, or those who have applied for BIS certification, may sell existing declared stock (manufactured or imported before 30th January, 2025) up to 31st October, 2025,

    subject to:

   • Filing a formal declaration to this effect with BIS

IMPLEMENTATION DATES

- General Enterprises (excluding Micro & Small): 1st April, 2025

- Small Enterprises: 1st July, 2025

- Micro Enterprises: 1st October, 2025

ENFORCEMENT & PENALTIES

Any person who contravenes the provisions of this Order shall be punishable under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the designated certifying and enforcing authority for all Air Coolers and Air Filters covered under this Quality Control Order.

BIS is responsible for:

- Granting ISI Mark licences to Air Cooler and Air Filter manufacturers and importers

- Conducting factory audits and market surveillance

- Testing samples at BIS-recognised and NABL-accredited laboratories

- Taking enforcement action against non-compliant products in the market

For Licence Applications:

DOMESTIC MANUFACTURERS: Apply online through the BIS Manakonline portal (www.manakonline.in).

Standphill India provides end-to-end BIS licence application assistance for Indian manufacturers of Air Coolers and Air Filters.

Read More: BIS Certification Process for Indian Manufacturers

FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS: Overseas manufacturers must apply through the BIS Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) at BIS HQ, New Delhi. Standphill India 

assists foreign manufacturers in obtaining BIS certification with complete end-to-end FMCS support.

Read More: Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) - Complete Guide

File No.: P-29026/25/2023-LEI

Current Order (2025) issued by: Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT

This Order supersedes: Air Cooler and Air Filters (QCO) Order, 2023

IS 3315:2019 – Evaporative Air Coolers (Desert Coolers)

This standard specifies requirements for the design, construction, performance, safety, and energy efficiency of Evaporative Air Coolers (popularly known as Desert Coolers or Air Coolers) operating on the principle of evaporative cooling.

Key requirements covered under IS 3315:2019 include:

- Construction and materials used in the cooler body, tank, and pads

- Motor and electrical safety requirements

- Water pump performance and leak-proof construction

- Cooling efficiency and airflow performance

- Energy consumption and power input requirements

- Insulation and earthing requirements

- Noise levels during operation

- Marking and labelling requirements

This standard applies to all types of evaporative air coolers - personal, room, tower, window, portable, and industrial coolers — intended for domestic and commercial use in India.

IS 17570 (Part 1):2021 / ISO 16890-2:2016

Air Filters for General Ventilation – Technical Specifications, 

Requirements and Classification System based upon Particulate Matter Efficiency (ePM)

This standard, equivalent to ISO 16890-2:2016, specifies the technical requirements, test methods, and classification system for air filters used in general ventilation applications.

Key features of IS 17570 (Part 1):2021:

- Classification of air filters based on ePM1, ePM2.5, and ePM10 efficiency (particulate matter filtration efficiency)

- Minimum efficiency reporting values (MERV equivalent)

- Initial and average efficiency testing requirements

- Pressure drop and airflow resistance measurements

- Dust holding capacity and filter loading tests

- Marking and documentation requirements

This standard applies to air filters used in HVAC systems, air handling units, commercial buildings, industrial ventilation, and clean environments.

Certification Scheme: Scheme-I of Schedule-II, BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018

Note: The latest version of each Indian Standard including all amendments notified by BIS from time to time shall apply.

Read More: BIS Certification for Air Coolers (Desert Coolers) - IS 3315:2019

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Manak Bhavan, 9, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg New Delhi – 110002

Tel: +91-11-23230131, Website: www.bis.gov.in, Manak online Portal: www.manakonline.in

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (DPIIT) Udyog Bhavan, New Delhi – 110011

For BIS Branch Office contacts near your manufacturing location: https://bis.gov.in/index.php/regional-branch-offices-bis-list/

KEY DATES AT A GLANCE:

- Principal Order (2023): 5th March, 2024 (S.O. 1114(E))

- Current Order (2025): 30th January, 2025 (S.O. 529(E))

- Effective from: 30th January, 2025 (date of publication)

- Existing Stock Clearance Deadline: 31st October, 2025

- Implementation – General Enterprises: 1st April, 2025

- Implementation – Small Enterprises: 1st July, 2025

- Implementation – Micro Enterprises: 1st October, 2025

The information provided on this page is intended for informational purposes only and is based on Gazette of India notifications available at the time of publishing. Implementation Dates, Product Scope, Exemption Criteria, and other regulatory details are subject to change through future Government amendments or BIS notifications at any time. Readers are requested to seek formal legal advice prior to acting upon any information provided herein.

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