Mobile Phone BIS Compliance 2026: IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 Plus IS 16333 Part 3
Mobile Phone BIS Compliance 2026: IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 Plus IS 16333 Part 3
Mobile phones are among the highest-volume BIS CRS registered products in India. The IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 migration brings an important requirement for mobile phone manufacturers: compliance with both IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 AND IS 16333 (Part 3):2022.
The Dual Standard Requirement for Mobile Phones
IS 16333 Part 3:2022 is the Indian Standard for mobile phones covering specific mobile device requirements beyond electrical safety. This includes:
- Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) — radiation exposure limits from antenna emissions
- Battery capacity and performance requirements
- Display quality requirements (brightness, color accuracy)
- Hearing aid compatibility (HAC) requirements
- Loudspeaker performance
- Camera resolution and performance (for marketed camera specifications)
While IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 handles electrical safety (not shocking or burning the user), IS 16333 Part 3 handles device-specific performance and radio frequency exposure (SAR testing).
IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 Tests for Mobile Phones
Electrical Safety:
- Touch current (ES classification) — mobile phones are typically ES1
- Battery safety requirements (comprehensive — phones have integrated lithium batteries)
- Charging circuit safety — USB-C PD, fast charging protocols
- Adapter/charger evaluation if bundled charger is included
Battery Safety (Critical for Smartphones):
- Thermal runaway containment
- BMS overcharge, over-discharge, overcurrent protection
- Cell-level documentation
- Swelling/pressure relief requirements for pouch cell batteries
Thermal Safety:
- Surface temperature limits during charging and intensive use
- Temperature limits for wireless charging (which generates more heat than wired)
SAR Testing (IS 16333 Part 3) — A Separate Test
SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) testing measures the rate at which radio frequency energy is absorbed by the human body when using a mobile phone. This is tested under IS 16333 Part 3 and requires:
- Testing against the head (simulated)
- Testing in body-worn configuration
- Limits: 1.6 W/kg for 1g tissue (India follows ICNIRP/FCC limits)
SAR testing requires specialized equipment (DASY system or equivalent) and is typically conducted at labs with specific SAR testing capability. Not all IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 labs also conduct SAR testing — confirm lab capability before booking.
Migration Process for Mobile Phone Manufacturers
- Identify your existing IS 13252 mobile phone R-numbers
- Ensure your BIS-recognized testing lab can test both IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 AND IS 16333 Part 3:2022
- Book testing for both standards simultaneously to save time
- File Standard Revision on BIS portal with test reports for both standards
Combined testing under both IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 and IS 16333 Part 3:2022 typically takes 4-6 weeks at labs equipped for both. This is longer than some other product categories due to the SAR testing requirement.
House of Testing (HOT) handles IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 testing for mobile devices. Contact us regarding our IS 16333 Part 3 SAR testing partnerships.