Glass
BIS Makes Screen Protectors Mandatory for the Indian Market from April 2027
India is set to introduce a new mandatory compliance requirement for smartphone screen protectors, including commonly sold tempered-glass screen guards. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has listed IS 19348:2025 – Glass Screen Protector — Specification under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), following MeitY Notification S.O. 5190(E) dated 21 September 2026. The requirement is scheduled to come into force on 1 April 2027.
What is changing?
From 1 April 2027, “Screen Protectors for Smartphones” will fall under the MeitY compulsory registration framework against IS 19348:2025. BIS currently identifies the standard as “Glass Screen Protector – Specification” and lists common terms including tempered glass, screen protector, chemically tempered glass and chemically strengthened glass.
What does this mean for screen guards imported from China?
The change is particularly relevant to Indian businesses importing screen guards from China. Once the requirement becomes effective, covered products cannot simply continue to enter the Indian market on the basis of existing supplier declarations or commercial product documentation. Manufacturers and importers will need to ensure that the applicable BIS CRS registration requirements are met.
For Chinese manufacturers supplying the Indian market, the compliance process will need to be planned around the applicable product models, testing, technical documentation and BIS registration requirements. Overseas manufacturers using the CRS route may also require an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) in India, as applicable under the BIS registration framework.
A new quality benchmark for tempered glass
The new requirement establishes an Indian conformity framework for a product category that is widely sold as a low-cost mobile accessory. The move is expected to make compliance with the applicable Indian Standard an important consideration for manufacturers, importers, distributors and brands selling smartphone screen protectors in India.
Screen protectors can be marketed with claims such as:
- Tempered or chemically strengthened glass
- Scratch and impact protection
- Anti-shatter protection
- Oleophobic / anti-fingerprint coating
- Anti-glare treatment
- Privacy protection
- Blue-light filtering
- Edge-to-edge screen protection
However, product marketing claims should not be treated as a substitute for conformity assessment against IS 19348:2025.
Important: CRS registration, not simply an ISI Mark requirement
The new requirement should be described accurately as a BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) requirement. It is not the same as saying that screen protectors are being brought under a conventional BIS ISI Mark licence. The official BIS CRS list identifies IS 19348:2025 for the product category “Screen Protectors for Smartphones,” with the notification recorded as S.O. 5190(E) dated 21 September 2026.
What Chinese manufacturers and Indian importers should do now
- Identify covered products: Review the product range and determine which screen protectors fall within the notified category.
- Review IS 19348:2025: Assess the product against the applicable Indian Standard and identify testing and documentation requirements.
- Check the Chinese factory: Confirm that the overseas manufacturer can support the Indian compliance and registration process.
- Plan testing and registration: Arrange applicable testing and prepare the technical documentation required for BIS CRS registration.
- Review import timelines: Do not wait until April 2027 if significant quantities or new product launches are planned for India.
Impact on the Indian market
The implementation of the requirement will be important for the large ecosystem of Chinese manufacturers, Indian importers, mobile accessory brands, distributors and e-commerce sellers. Businesses that currently source large volumes of tempered glass from China should review their product portfolio and supplier arrangements well before the implementation date.
KEY DATE: 1 APRIL 2027
IS 19348:2025 – Glass Screen Protector – Specification
Screen Protectors for Smartphones under BIS CRS
For importers and brands
If you import tempered glass or screen guards from China, now is the time to review your Chinese supplier, product models, testing requirements and BIS registration strategy. Early preparation can help reduce the risk of supply-chain disruption when the mandatory requirement takes effect.
Need help with BIS compliance for screen protectors?
Instacertify can assist with applicability assessment, testing coordination and BIS CRS registration support for Indian and overseas manufacturers.
