IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 Replaces IS 13252 and IS 616 — The Complete Guide for Indian Manufacturers and Importers
On 29 October 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a landmark Gazette Notification that changes the compliance landscape for every manufacturer, importer, and brand owner dealing in electronics and IT products in India. The notification formally mandates the migration from two legacy standards — IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 — to a single unified global safety standard: IS/IEC 62368-1:2023.
This is not a minor technical update. It affects an estimated 42 product categories covering thousands of active BIS registrations. If your products hold BIS CRS certificates under IS 13252 or IS 616, you are directly impacted. The deadline is 1 November 2028 — after which no licenses under the old standards will remain valid.
Background: Why India Is Making This Change
IS 13252 (Part 1) was aligned with IEC 60950-1 — the legacy safety standard for Information Technology Equipment (computers, laptops, servers, printers, and peripherals). IS 616 was aligned with IEC 60065 — the legacy safety standard for Audio/Video equipment (televisions, amplifiers, set-top boxes, DVD players).
Both IEC 60950-1 and IEC 60065 were formally withdrawn internationally in 2020, replaced by IEC 62368-1 — a hazard-based safety engineering standard that merges both frameworks into a single, technology-neutral approach. Countries including the EU, USA, China, South Korea, Japan, and Australia have already completed this transition. India, with its October 2025 notification, is now aligning with global practice.
What Is IS/IEC 62368-1:2023?
IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 is the 4th Edition of the international standard for Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment. Its full title is: Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment — Part 1: Safety Requirements.
The fundamental difference from its predecessors is the shift from a prescriptive approach to a hazard-based safety engineering (HBSE) approach. Rather than prescribing specific design solutions, the standard:
- Identifies energy sources that can cause harm (electrical, thermal, mechanical, radiation, chemical)
- Classifies each energy source by hazard level (PS1, PS2, PS3 for electrical; TS1, TS2, TS3 for thermal, etc.)
- Specifies safeguards required to protect against each energy level
- Allows engineers to apply alternative protective measures as long as they provide equivalent safety
This approach is more flexible, more future-proof, and better suited to modern electronics where IT, AV, and communication technologies are increasingly converged in single devices.
Which Products Are Affected?
The 42 CRS product categories transitioning to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 include:
Previously under IS 13252 (27 categories):
- Laptops, notebooks, and tablets
- Desktop computers and workstations
- Servers and storage devices
- Printers, scanners, photocopiers
- Keyboards (wired and wireless)
- Computer monitors and Visual Display Units (VDUs)
- SMPS (Switch Mode Power Supplies) and power adaptors
- UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supplies)
- Mobile phones and smart phones
- Power banks
- CCTV cameras (IP-based)
- Routers and networking equipment
- Set-top boxes
- Smart speakers and voice assistants
Previously under IS 616 (15 categories):
- Televisions (LCD, LED, OLED, QLED)
- Audio amplifiers and AV receivers
- Blu-ray and DVD players
- Bluetooth speakers
- Home theatre systems
- Digital cameras and camcorders
- Smart watches and wearables
New Category Added:
- Extended Reality (XR) devices — AR headsets, VR headsets, MR devices — with a separate deadline of 1 May 2026
The Transition Timeline
| Category | Deadline | Status |
|---|
| Extended Reality (XR) devices — new category | 1 May 2026 | Urgent — deadline passed or imminent |
| All 42 existing IS 13252 and IS 616 categories | 1 November 2028 | Concurrent running period now active |
During the concurrent running period (now until 1 November 2028), manufacturers may continue to sell and register products under either the old or the new standard. However, after 1 November 2028:
- IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 will be formally withdrawn
- IS 616:2017 will be formally withdrawn
- Only IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 will be the valid standard
- Products without a valid IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 BIS registration cannot be legally sold or imported
What Existing License Holders Must Do
If you currently hold BIS CRS registrations under IS 13252 or IS 616, you must migrate to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023. The process, as clarified in BIS implementation guidelines, involves:
- Identify your lead models: For each product family, identify the lead model that will be tested. Other series models may be covered by a declaration of conformity, subject to MeitY's series guidelines (expected to be issued separately).
- Get fresh test reports: Submit lead models to a BIS-recognized laboratory for testing against IS/IEC 62368-1:2023. Note: Test reports from overseas labs against IEC 62368-1 cannot be directly submitted — testing must be done at BIS-recognized labs in India.
- Apply through Standard Revision module: File the migration application through the BIS online portal under the Standard Revision or Amendment process. This is NOT a fresh application — it is a revision of your existing registration.
- Submit declaration for series models: Provide an undertaking that all series models comply with the new standard.
- Receive confirmation: BIS will issue a confirmation letter listing all models migrated to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023.
Key Technical Changes from IS 13252 to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023
Manufacturers need to understand that IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 is not simply a relabelling exercise. There are substantive technical differences that may require design review:
- Clause 4 — Component compliance: Components previously certified under IEC 60950-1 or IEC 60065 need verification that their legacy certification is still applicable or whether re-certification is needed
- Creepage and clearance: The requirements are restructured under the PS1/PS2/PS3 energy classification framework — some products may find requirements differ from IS 13252
- Touch current limits: Updated limits aligned with modern electronics usage patterns
- Lithium battery requirements: More comprehensive coverage of battery safety, relevant to the many IS 13252 products (laptops, tablets, power banks) that use lithium batteries
- Interconnected equipment: New requirements for equipment that connects to other devices — directly relevant in an era of IoT and networked devices
Lab Capacity Warning
Based on industry assessment, BIS-recognized laboratories are expected to experience significant capacity constraints as the 2028 deadline approaches. It is estimated that labs may reach maximum capacity 12-18 months before the deadline, meaning manufacturers who delay may face testing queues that prevent them from completing migration in time.
The practical recommendation is to begin migration testing no later than early 2027 — and ideally in 2026 while lab capacity is still available.
What House of Testing Can Do for You
House of Testing is a BIS-approved testing laboratory with extensive experience in IS 13252, IS 616, and now IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 testing. We can:
- Conduct pre-compliance assessment against IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 to identify gaps before formal testing
- Perform complete type testing for your lead models
- Guide you through the BIS Standard Revision application process
- Help you develop a migration strategy that covers your entire product range efficiently
Contact House of Testing at support.houseoftesting.com or through the community to plan your IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 migration.