Last Updated: May 2026

Prepared by: House of Testing Technical & Compliance Team
Category: IS 62368 — Electronics & IT Safety

Introduction

India is currently undergoing one of the most important electronics compliance transitions in recent years.

IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 is replacing:

• IS 13252 (Part 1)

• IS 616

This transition affects a massive range of electronic, IT, communication, and audio-video products sold in India.

For manufacturers, importers, OEMs, startups, and compliance teams, the migration is not simply a paperwork update. The standard introduces a different safety philosophy based on Hazard-Based Safety Engineering (HBSE), which changes how electronic product safety is evaluated.

This guide explains:

• what changed under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023

• which products are affected

• migration implications for manufacturers

• common testing and compliance challenges

• practical preparation strategies

• why businesses should plan early

The objective of this article is not only to explain the standard itself, but also to help manufacturers understand the practical industry issues commonly observed during product evaluation, testing, migration planning, and BIS compliance activities.

In This Guide

• What Is IS/IEC 62368-1?

• Why India Is Migrating to IS 62368

• Hazard-Based Safety Engineering (HBSE)

• Products Affected by Migration

• Major Technical Changes

• Common Compliance Problems

• Migration Checklist

• Practical Industry Challenges

• FAQs

Who Should Read This Guide?

This guide is useful for:

• Electronics manufacturers

• Mobile and laptop brands

• Importers and OEM suppliers

• CCTV and networking equipment companies

• Smart device manufacturers

• Product compliance teams

• Testing and certification departments

• Foreign manufacturers exporting products into India

• Amazon and Flipkart electronics sellers

What Is IS/IEC 62368-1?

IS/IEC 62368-1 is a safety standard covering:

• audio-video equipment

• information technology equipment

• communication technology equipment

• consumer electronics

• smart devices

• networking products

The standard combines concepts previously covered under:

• IS 13252

• IS 616

into a unified framework.

Manufacturers handling electronics compliance in India should also review the Complete Guide to BIS CRS Certification in India to understand broader BIS registration requirements applicable to electronic products.

Why India Is Migrating to IS/IEC 62368-1

Older standards were based heavily on:

• prescriptive construction rules

• fixed engineering approaches

• separate product classifications

Modern products increasingly combine:

• IT functionality

• communication systems

• wireless connectivity

• audio-video capability

• smart features

• battery systems

• networking functions

IS/IEC 62368-1 was developed to address this convergence.

The migration also aligns Indian electronics safety requirements more closely with international compliance frameworks.

Hazard-Based Safety Engineering (HBSE)

One of the biggest changes introduced under IS/IEC 62368-1 is the shift toward:

Hazard-Based Safety Engineering (HBSE)

Instead of evaluating products only against predefined construction rules, the standard evaluates:

• energy sources

• transfer mechanisms

• safeguards protecting users

The framework classifies:

• electrical energy

• thermal energy

• mechanical energy

into different hazard levels.

Common Energy Source Classifications

The standard evaluates how safeguards prevent users from exposure to hazardous energy.

Products Affected by Migration

The migration affects a very large range of products.

Examples include:

• laptops

• desktops

• tablets

• televisions

• CCTV cameras

• routers

• networking products

• smart devices

• adapters

• SMPS

• power banks

• Bluetooth speakers

• gaming devices

• projectors

• docking stations

• OTT devices

• communication equipment

Common Product Categories and Applicable Standards

Manufacturers dealing with appliance-related compliance should also review the Complete Guide to ISI Mark Certification in India where applicable.

Major Technical Changes Under IS 62368

Energy Source Classification

The standard introduces classifications such as:

• ES1

• ES2

• ES3

for electrical energy.

Similar approaches apply to:

• thermal hazards

• mechanical hazards

Safeguard Philosophy

The standard evaluates:

• basic safeguards

• supplementary safeguards

• reinforced safeguards

rather than relying only on fixed construction requirements.

Battery Safety Considerations

Battery-related evaluation is increasingly important for:

• smartphones

• power banks

• IoT devices

• portable electronics

• wearable devices

Manufacturers frequently underestimate the impact of battery quality, thermal behavior, and charging system design on compliance outcomes.

Component Evaluation

Critical components and insulation systems require careful review.

Manufacturers often underestimate the importance of:

• insulation coordination

• thermal management

• enclosure materials

• certified components

• power supply stability

Common Compliance Challenges Frequently Observed During Migration

In practical industry scenarios, manufacturers commonly face issues such as:

• hardware changes after testing

• incorrect adapter ratings

• unstable SMPS behavior

• inadequate insulation spacing

• inconsistent labels and markings

• non-approved battery configurations

• mismatch between submitted and production versions

• insufficient technical documentation

• improper series model grouping

Many delays occur not because products are fundamentally unsafe, but because product documentation, tested samples, production versions, and declared specifications fail to remain technically aligned.

Typical Areas Evaluated During Testing

Adapter and SMPS Problems — A Major Industry Issue

A significant percentage of practical compliance failures involve:

• low-quality adapters

• unstable SMPS construction

• inconsistent output ratings

• improper protection systems

• adapter substitutions after testing

In many real-world cases, manufacturers unknowingly create compliance risks by changing adapters or power supplies after certification activities are completed.

Migration Planning Checklist

Manufacturers preparing these elements early generally experience smoother migration and fewer compliance delays.

Real-World Problems Frequently Seen During Testing

Some recurring issues observed across the industry include:

• excessive temperature rise

• inadequate creepage and clearance

• unstable power supplies

• poor enclosure construction

• weak insulation systems

• low-quality lithium battery integration

• improper earthing arrangements

• inconsistent labeling practices

These problems often become visible during abnormal operation and stress evaluation.

Why Manufacturers Should Start Migration Early

Manufacturers delaying migration planning may later face:

• overloaded laboratory schedules

• longer testing queues

• documentation bottlenecks

• shipment delays

• redesign pressure

• import clearance issues

Businesses preparing early generally achieve:

• smoother testing

• better documentation alignment

• improved production stability

• reduced compliance risks

• faster approval timelines

Practical Industry Observation

In many practical situations, manufacturers assume that products compliant under older standards will automatically satisfy IS/IEC 62368-1 requirements without significant evaluation.

However, migration frequently exposes issues involving insulation systems, adapter quality, thermal behavior, construction details, battery integration, and safeguard implementation that may not have been evaluated similarly under older frameworks.

Impact on Indian Electronics Industry

The migration is expected to significantly influence:

• electronics product design

• component sourcing

• safety engineering practices

• battery integration standards

• quality expectations

• global harmonization efforts

Manufacturers already aligned with international compliance systems may experience smoother transition compared to businesses relying on outdated product safety practices.

Key Takeaways

• IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 represents a major shift in electronics safety philosophy

• The migration affects a very large range of electronic and smart products

• Hazard-Based Safety Engineering introduces new evaluation concepts

• Adapter, battery, and component consistency are critical for compliance

• Documentation alignment plays a major role during migration

• Early preparation significantly reduces delays and retesting risks

• Production versions must remain aligned with tested samples and approved specifications

Manufacturers approaching migration proactively with stable hardware, strong documentation discipline, and proper compliance planning generally experience smoother transition outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is IS 13252 discontinued?

The industry is transitioning toward IS/IEC 62368-1:2023.

Does every product require retesting?

Migration requirements depend on product category and existing approvals.

Which products are affected?

A large range of electronics and audio-video equipment categories.

Does IS 62368 include EMC requirements?

No. EMC compliance may require separate evaluation.

Why is IS 62368 considered more complex?

Because it introduces Hazard-Based Safety Engineering concepts and broader energy-based evaluation.

Are adapters and batteries important during compliance evaluation?

Yes. Adapters, SMPS systems, batteries, and related components play a major role during safety assessment.

Related Guides

• Complete Guide to BIS CRS Certification in India

• Complete Guide to ISI Mark Certification in India

• IS 62368 vs LED Standards: Why Lighting Products Are Not Affected
  

• IS/IEC 62368-1:2023: How to Handle Series Models in BIS CRS Migration
  
  

• IS 616 Products and IS/IEC 62368-1:2023: Guide for Audio-Video Equipment Manufacturers
  

• IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 Product Markings: Complete Checklist of What Must Be on the Product

About House of Testing

House of Testing supports manufacturers and importers through testing and compliance services across electronics, electrical products, batteries, LED products, appliances, automotive components, and related safety standards.

The laboratory supports BIS-related testing across multiple standards and product categories relevant to the Indian market.