This article is unlike the others in this series. Every other standard covered here is a revision of an existing standard — manufacturers are transitioning from an old version to a new version. IS 10322 (Part 18): 2026 is different. It is a brand new adoption by BIS — there was no previous Indian Standard specifically for swimming pool luminaires.
This means: if you manufacture, import, or supply LED luminaires for swimming pools, fountains, water features, spas, or similar aquatic environments in India — you have never needed BIS certification for these products before. Now you do.
---Swimming pool lighting creates a uniquely dangerous electrical environment. Consider:
Water and electricity in direct contact with humans: Unlike any other lighting application, the water in which people swim is in direct contact with the luminaire (for underwater lights). Electrical fault currents can flow through the water and through the human body simultaneously. The consequences of an electrical fault in or around a pool can be fatal — Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) is a documented phenomenon where swimmers become paralysed by low-level AC currents in the water and drown. Continuous water immersion: Pool luminaires are submerged continuously, not just splash-protected. The sealing requirements are far more demanding than even IP67 (30-minute immersion) — pool lights may be submerged for years without maintenance access. Chemical environment: Pool water contains chlorine, bromine, pH adjustment chemicals, and stabilisers. These chemicals are aggressively corrosive to metals and degrading to certain plastics and rubber seals. Materials must be specifically selected for chemical resistance. High pressure in deep pools: In deep competition pools, water pressure at 3 metres depth is approximately 0.3 bar. Seals and enclosures must withstand this pressure continuously. UV exposure: Poolside luminaires above the waterline are exposed to intense UV — both solar UV and UV from some pool sanitisation systems. UV degrades plastics and seals. Regular thermal cycling: Pools in India are used year-round. Luminaires experience thermal cycling from cold nights to hot summer operation. Seals must maintain integrity through this cycling.The safety risks justify a dedicated, highly specific standard — and IS 10322 (Part 18): 2026 fills this gap.
---The single most important safety provision for underwater pool luminaires is the requirement for Safety Extra-Low Voltage (SELV) supply. The standard limits the supply voltage for underwater luminaires to ensure that even in the event of an insulation failure, the current flowing through a person in the water remains below the physiologically harmful threshold.
SELV means:
This is a fundamental design requirement that distinguishes swimming pool luminaires from all other LED products. A luminaire designed for 230V mains connection cannot be used as an underwater pool luminaire regardless of its IP rating. The voltage level — not just the ingress protection — determines safety.
IP68 means the luminaire is protected against continuous immersion beyond 1 metre. The exact depth and duration must be specified by the manufacturer — a pool light might be specified for IP68 at 3 metres depth for continuous immersion.
The IP68 test involves immersing the luminaire at the specified depth in water for a specified period (typically 24–30 hours) and verifying that no water has entered in a quantity that would compromise electrical safety.
All materials in contact with pool water (or in the water pathway for wet niche luminaires) must resist:
Stainless steel grades, ABS plastics, silicone seals, and tempered glass are commonly used. Mild steel, standard aluminium alloys, and many commodity plastics are not suitable.
Pool luminaires often use high-intensity LEDs to achieve the necessary underwater illumination effect. The emitted light is viewed directly by swimmers — making photobiological safety assessment important. IS 10322 (Part 18): 2026 requires photobiological safety assessment per IEC 62471.
Underwater luminaires dissipate heat primarily through water conduction — which is efficient. However, the LED junction temperature must still be managed to ensure long-term reliability. When the pool is empty (during cleaning or maintenance), the cooling mechanism is absent — the luminaire must be able to withstand this condition safely.
Yes. The 12V LED luminaire itself requires BIS CRS certification under IS 10322 (Part 18): 2026. The fact that it operates at 12V SELV does not exempt it from mandatory certification — it is still a luminaire placed under the Compulsory Registration Order.
The certification verifies that the luminaire:
The 12V transformer that provides the SELV supply is a separate product and may require its own certification under relevant transformer/control gear standards.
IS 10322 (Part 18): 2026 specifies maximum voltage limits for underwater applications. The standard limits AC voltage to ≤12V and DC voltage to ≤30V for underwater luminaires.
At 24V DC, you are within the specified limit — 24V DC underwater lighting is acceptable provided the supply is truly SELV (isolated from mains, no earth connection on the 24V side).
However, verify that your specific application meets the voltage limits specified in the 2026 version of the standard, and that the SELV isolation is properly implemented. The isolation transformer or DC power supply providing the 24V must meet SELV requirements — it cannot be a standard mains-connected power supply with earthed output.
Products mounted at the pool edge (above water) may be classified differently depending on their design and intended installation position relative to water zones.
Poolside luminaires that are above the water level and not intended for immersion are typically covered under IS 10322 (Part 5/Sec 1) (fixed general purpose luminaires) or IS 10322 (Part 5/Sec 2) (recessed luminaires) depending on how they are installed.
The key distinction is whether the luminaire is:
Indian building codes and pool construction standards define the water zones around pools. Confirm with your project engineer which zone your luminaire occupies before determining which BIS standard applies.
IS 10322 (Part 18): 2026 was notified as part of BIS's 2026 updates to the IS 10322 series. As a new addition to the CRO (Compulsory Registration Order), it requires certification for all swimming pool luminaires sold in India.
Unlike the other IS 10322 Part 5 standards which had concurrent running periods (allowing use of old standards until August 2, 2026), IS 10322 (Part 18): 2026 is a new addition with no predecessor standard to transition from.
The practical implication: there is no grace period based on transitioning from an old standard. If your product is being sold in India as a swimming pool luminaire, it should be certified. Contact our team for the current enforcement timeline and to register your products for testing.
CE marking (to IEC 60598-2-18 via the EN 60598-2-18 implementation) is the international standard basis for IS 10322 (Part 18): 2026. The technical requirements are substantially harmonised.
However, BIS CRS registration requirements remain:
In practical terms: your CE-marked European product is likely to pass IS 10322 (Part 18): 2026 testing — the technical requirements are the same international standard. But you must test at a BIS-recognized laboratory and register in India.
If the European manufacturer does not want to take on Indian BIS registration, you as the importer can obtain registration in your name as the Authorised Indian Representative (AIR).
IS 10322 (Part 18): 2026 testing requires specialised equipment:
IP68 testing tank: A pressure-capable water tank with controlled depth measurement, equipped to submerge samples at specified depths for extended periods. Standard splash/spray IP test equipment is insufficient. SELV verification equipment: Equipment to verify that the luminaire's supply circuit is truly SELV-isolated from mains — no earth connection, proper isolation resistance. Chemical resistance test facility: For accelerated chemical resistance testing using pool water concentrations of chlorine and pH-adjusted water. High voltage test equipment: Dielectric strength testing at voltages appropriate for SELV luminaires. Spectroradiometer: For photobiological safety assessment.This specialised equipment requirement means that not all general luminaire testing laboratories can test IS 10322 (Part 18): 2026 products. House of Testing is developing scope specifically for this standard. Register your interest now to be notified when testing is available.
A colour-changing underwater LED system typically involves multiple certification requirements:
The complete system approach — ensuring all components are appropriately certified — is the correct approach for professional pool lighting installations. Contact our team for guidance on the complete compliance pathway for DMX pool lighting systems.
Yes. The isolating transformer is a critical safety component — it provides the electrical isolation that makes the SELV system safe. Requirements for the transformer include:
The transformer is typically a separate product from the luminaire, covered under its own safety standard (IS 4106 for transformers or relevant isolating transformer standard). The luminaire certification covers the luminaire itself; the transformer requires its own compliance.
Installing a non-safety-isolating transformer (a standard 12V DC power supply, for example) instead of a proper SELV isolating transformer defeats the safety provision of the 12V voltage limitation. This is a common installation error with severe safety consequences.
This is a legitimate safety concern. When a pool is drained for cleaning or maintenance, underwater luminaires are no longer cooled by water — their cooling mechanism is removed. LED junction temperatures can rise rapidly without water cooling, potentially damaging the LED or driver.
IS 10322 (Part 18): 2026 addresses this through thermal protection requirements:
In practice, proper installation procedure requires disconnecting pool luminaires before draining the pool. However, the standard's requirements ensure that accidental operation without water cooling does not create a fire or electric shock hazard.
Not directly in terms of BIS certification obligations — you are not the manufacturer or importer and do not hold the BIS registration.
However, you have professional responsibility for the lighting systems you install:
Contact House of Testing to understand which pool luminaire suppliers have obtained IS 10322 (Part 18): 2026 certification. We can help you identify certified products for your installations.