Electric heating pads, heated blankets, and electric underblankets are covered under QCO 2026 and require BIS ISI mark certification. These products have unique safety considerations because they operate during sleep and in direct prolonged contact with the human body.
IS 302 Part 2 Section 17 (IEC 60335-2-17) specifically covers blankets, pads, and similar flexible heating appliances.
Electric blankets and heating pads present a distinctive hazard profile:
The most critical test. Surface temperatures must not exceed the limits specified in IS 302 Part 2 Sec 17 even after extended operation. These limits are deliberately conservative because the product is in prolonged skin contact. A heating pad that reaches 55°C can cause burns in a person with reduced temperature sensation within 30 minutes.
Every heating pad and electric blanket must have a thermal cutout (thermostat or PTC element) that prevents overheating. The cutout is tested for reliability — it must activate before the surface temperature reaches the upper safety limit, across thousands of operating cycles.
Blankets and pads are folded for storage and unfolded for use repeatedly. The heating element wire must withstand this mechanical stress without developing hot spots or open circuits. The standard tests flexible products through thousands of flex cycles.
People sweat during sleep. A heating blanket may become damp during use. The product must maintain safe insulation even when the fabric is moist.
Heating pads with specific therapeutic claims (for arthritis, muscle pain) may be classified as medical devices under CDSCO rather than as household appliances under IS 302. Confirm the regulatory classification with a compliance expert if your product has medical claims.
Large enterprise: 1 October 2026. House of Testing handles IS 302 Part 2 Sec 17 heating pad and electric blanket testing.