IS 10322 (Part 5/Sec 6): 2026 — LED Hand Lamps and Portable Work Lights

IS 10322 (Part 5/Sec 6): 2026 — LED Hand Lamps and Portable Work Lights

ARTICLE 11: IS 16614 (Part 1): 2026 — LED Tube Lights (Double-Capped LED Linear Lamps)

Standard: IS 16614 (Part 1): 2026 | Double-Capped LED Lamps for General Lighting — Safety Requirements Replaces: IS 16614 (Part 1): 2018 Deadline: August 2, 2026 HOT Status: Scope approval in progress ---

The Office, Factory, and School Lighting Standard

If IS 16102 (Part 1) governs the LED bulb you use at home, IS 16614 governs the LED tube light that lights your office, factory, school, hospital ward, supermarket aisle, and warehouse. LED tube lights are the workhorse of commercial and industrial lighting in India — and they come with unique safety challenges that justify their own dedicated standard.

IS 16614 (Part 1): 2026 replaces IS 16614 (Part 1): 2018 and introduces updated safety requirements for double-capped LED linear lamps. All LED tube light manufacturers and importers must transition before August 2, 2026.

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What Are Double-Capped LED Linear Lamps?

"Double-capped" means the lamp has electrical connections at both ends — two lamp caps (as opposed to single-capped or pin-based lamps). The name reflects their heritage as replacements for fluorescent tubes, which also have two end caps.

Products covered:

  • T8 LED tubes (26mm diameter, G13 bi-pin cap, 600mm and 1200mm lengths) — the most common LED tube in India
  • T5 LED tubes (16mm diameter, G5 bi-pin cap, 549mm, 849mm, 1149mm lengths) — used in slim batten fittings
  • LED batten-integrated tubes (where the tube is permanently fixed in a batten housing)

    • LED tube lights are available in three connection types — each with distinct safety implications:

    Type A (Plug-and-Play / Ballast Compatible): The LED tube includes an integrated driver and is designed to work directly with the existing fluorescent ballast (magnetic or electronic). The ballast provides power, and the LED driver regulates it. No wiring modification needed. Type B (Ballast Bypass / Direct Mains): The LED tube includes an integrated driver that connects directly to mains supply (230V AC). The ballast is bypassed or removed. The lamp pins become live when the tube is energised — creating a specific shock risk during lamp replacement. Type C (External Driver): The LED tube has no integrated driver — it requires a dedicated external LED driver. The tube is connected to the driver output. ---

    Key Changes in IS 16614 (Part 1): 2026

    Improved Electrical Safety — Especially for Type B Lamps

    Type B (ballast bypass) lamps present a unique electrical safety risk: the lamp pins at both ends become live when mains power is connected. If someone reaches into the lamp holder while the circuit is energised (during lamp replacement if proper electrical isolation is not followed), they can receive an electric shock.

    The 2026 version strengthens requirements for Type B lamps:

  • Clear and permanent marking identifying the lamp as Type B (mains-connected)
  • Safety features to reduce the risk of shock during installation/replacement
  • Updated creepage and clearance requirements at the lamp pin connections

    • Updated Compatibility Requirements

    LED tube lights are installed in existing fluorescent luminaire housings — T8 tubes in T8 housings, T5 tubes in T5 housings. The compatibility between the LED tube and the existing housing is a safety consideration:

  • Thermal compatibility: The housing was designed for fluorescent tubes, which dissipate heat differently. LED drivers integrated in the tube generate heat at specific points (usually at one end) that may stress materials in the fluorescent housing's lamp holder that are not designed for this localised heat.
  • Mechanical compatibility: G13 and G5 holders are standardised, but tolerances vary. The lamp must engage correctly with the holder without play that could affect electrical connection.

    • The 2026 standard updates compatibility requirements to reflect the LED-specific considerations.

    Revised Testing Methods

    Updated test procedures for measuring electrical, photometric, and mechanical performance of LED tube lamps, improving measurement accuracy and consistency between laboratories.

    Updated Marking Requirements

    The lamp type (Type A, B, or C) must be permanently and clearly marked on the lamp. This is safety-critical for Type B lamps — an installer who does not know they are handling a mains-connected lamp may not take appropriate isolation precautions.

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    10 Frequently Asked Questions

    FAQ 1: I sell Type A plug-and-play LED tubes. The customer installs them directly into existing fluorescent fittings. Why do Type A tubes have complex certification requirements if they are "just plug and play"?

    Type A tubes interact with the existing fluorescent ballast — and the combination of LED driver characteristics and ballast characteristics determines the actual operating conditions of the lamp. An LED tube designed for a magnetic ballast may not work correctly with an electronic high-frequency ballast, and vice versa.

    The certification requirements ensure that:

  • The LED driver within the tube operates safely across the range of ballast types it is designed to work with
  • The combination does not create hazardous conditions (overheating, flicker, excessive current) under any specified operating condition
  • The lamp is marked correctly to indicate which ballast types it is compatible with

    • A "plug-and-play" label does not eliminate the complexity of driver-ballast interaction — it means the user does not need to rewire. The engineering challenge is embedded in the lamp design.

    FAQ 2: My Type B LED tubes have a "one-end live" design where only one cap is connected to mains, and the other end has a dummy cap with no electrical connection. How does this affect testing?

    The one-end-live design is a safety improvement for Type B lamps — it means only one set of lamp pins is live, reducing the shock risk if someone handles the lamp near the non-live end. However, it creates installation confusion: the lamp must be inserted in the correct orientation (live end in the correctly wired holder).

    IS 16614 (Part 1): 2026 addresses this through:

  • Specific marking requirements to clearly indicate which end is live
  • Requirements for the dummy cap at the non-live end (must be non-conductive, must not resemble a normal active cap to avoid confusion)
  • Testing to verify that the lamp cannot be installed in the wrong orientation without the user being aware of the issue

    • Pre-compliance testing at House of Testing will verify your one-end-live design against the 2026 requirements before formal BIS submission.

    FAQ 3: Our LED tubes have both G13 (T8) and a magnetic ballast bypass option in the same product — a dual-mode tube. Is this covered under IS 16614?

    Dual-mode tubes (Type A/B) that can operate both with an existing ballast and with ballast bypassed are a more complex product — they include circuitry for both modes.

    IS 16614 (Part 1): 2026 must be satisfied for both operating modes. The safety requirements must be met whether the lamp is operating as Type A (with ballast) or Type B (direct mains). This is a more comprehensive test scope than a single-mode lamp.

    The marking must clearly indicate the dual-mode capability and the appropriate installation instructions for each mode.

    FAQ 4: My 1200mm T8 LED tubes are the most common product I sell. How many samples do I need to submit for BIS testing?

    Typically 6 samples for the standard test matrix, though the exact number depends on the tests required:

  • 3 samples for primary test sequence (electrical safety, temperature rise, mechanical)
  • Additional samples if the IP rating is claimed and IP testing is required
  • Additional samples for destructive tests if applicable

    • If you have a range of lengths (600mm, 900mm, 1200mm, 1500mm) with the same driver design, the lead model approach may apply. The longest lamp (highest wattage, typically most thermally demanding) would be the lead model. Discuss with our engineers whether shorter lengths can be covered by an undertaking.

    FAQ 5: There is a significant market in India for unbranded LED tubes sold in bulk to contractors. These often have no BIS marking. How does BIS enforcement approach this segment?

    BIS enforcement does engage with the unbranded or poorly certified segment of the market, though enforcement resources are limited relative to the market size. Common enforcement actions include:

  • Market surveillance sampling — BIS officials purchase products from retail outlets and distributors and test them. Products failing BIS certification requirements face compliance action.
  • Import scrutiny — the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and Customs work with BIS to flag imports of LED tubes without valid BIS documentation
  • Action against large distributors — enforcement focused on supply chain chokepoints rather than individual retailers
  • Consumer complaints — complaints about product failures drive targeted enforcement in specific areas

    • The risk for contractors and distributors who trade in non-certified tubes is increasingly real. As BIS surveillance of the lighting market intensifies, buying and selling without certificates creates genuine legal and commercial risk.

    FAQ 6: We are planning to launch LED tube lights under our own brand, manufactured by a factory in Noida. The factory already has BIS certification for some tube light models. Can we sell under our brand using their certificate?

    No. You cannot sell products under your brand name using another company's BIS registration. BIS CRS registration is brand-specific — the brand name on the product must match the brand name under which the registration was obtained.

    If you are selling the same products under your own brand, you need your own BIS CRS registration. This requires:

  • Your own application to BIS
  • Test reports from a BIS-recognized laboratory for the products under your brand name
  • Manufacturing details confirmed (the Noida factory)

    • If the factory already has a certification for the same product specification, the test data may potentially be referenced. However, a new registration in your brand name is still required. Discuss the most efficient path with our team.

    FAQ 7: What is the temperature rise test for LED tube lights and what are the critical measurement points?

    Temperature rise testing for LED tube lights is more complex than for self-ballasted LED lamps because the lamp interacts with the holder and housing:

    The test is conducted with the lamp installed in a specified test housing (simulating actual installation conditions) and operated at rated voltage and current until thermal equilibrium is reached.

    Critical measurement points:

  • Driver/capacitor temperature: The integrated driver components (particularly electrolytic capacitors) must remain within their rated temperature. Capacitor lifetime is strongly temperature-dependent — a capacitor rated for 105°C will last much longer than one operating at 90°C.
  • Lamp cap temperature: The G13 or G5 lamp cap and its contacts must not exceed temperature limits that would cause holder damage or degradation.
  • External surface temperature: Accessible surfaces of the tube must not reach temperatures that could cause burns on contact.
  • LED junction temperature: While not directly measured (measuring junction temperature requires thermal modelling), the LED board temperature is measured and used to estimate junction temperature relative to manufacturer specifications.

    • For T8 LED tubes where the driver is at one end, the driver end of the tube is typically the hottest — and the temperature there must be within limits when the tube is installed in a standard G13 holder.

    FAQ 8: Our LED tubes are sold with a "3-year warranty." Does the BIS standard verify longevity or warranty claims?

    IS 16614 (Part 1): 2026 is a safety standard — it does not directly verify longevity or warranty duration claims.

    Longevity claims ("25,000 hours rated life," "3-year warranty") are addressed through performance standards and potentially through BEE energy efficiency requirements, not through IS 16614.

    However, a key component of longevity in LED tubes — driver capacitor quality — is indirectly assessed. The temperature rise test ensures capacitors operate within their rated temperature range, which is the primary determinant of capacitor lifespan. A LED tube whose capacitors operate at 90°C (within the 105°C rating) will last far longer than one whose capacitors operate at 104°C (at the edge of their rating).

    For reliable performance to your claimed warranty period, it is essential that the thermal design keeps capacitors well within their temperature ratings — not just barely within limits.

    FAQ 9: We have been selling T8 LED tubes without BIS certification (the products were manufactured when CRS wasn't enforced). How do we regularise our situation?

    The path to regularisation:

  • Stop selling non-certified products as soon as reasonably possible — continuing to sell knowing products are non-certified increases your regulatory exposure.
  • Apply for BIS CRS certification under IS 16614 (Part 1): 2026. This is the only legitimate path to market access.
  • Arrange testing at a BIS-recognized laboratory — House of Testing — for your current product specifications.
  • Submit application on Manakonline once test reports are available.
  • During the certification process, consider whether to continue selling (accepting the regulatory risk) or pause sales until certification is obtained.

    • There is no formal "amnesty" or regularisation programme for previously non-certified products. The practical approach is to obtain certification as quickly as possible. Our team can help you prioritise and expedite the certification process.

    FAQ 10: What is the difference between "BIS approved" and "BIS registered" as displayed on LED tube packaging in India?

    These terms are used interchangeably in the market, but the correct term for CRS products is BIS Registration (the product is registered, and the manufacturer/importer holds a Registration Certificate).

    BIS Certified is more appropriate for ISI Mark products (which go through a more extensive process including factory inspection and ongoing surveillance). BIS Approved is an informal term not used in the standard BIS documentation — though widely used in marketing.

    The marking that must appear on a BIS CRS registered LED tube is the CRS Mark (a standardised logo), accompanied by the registration number in the format issued by BIS.

    If you see "BIS Approved" on a product without the CRS Mark and registration number — the product may be relying on marketing language without an actual valid registration. Always verify product registration status on the BIS official portal (manakonline.in or the public CRS verification portal) using the registration number before purchasing or distributing a product.