India’s immersive technology industry is entering a new era of rules and regulations. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has officially included Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR) devices to the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). This is a big step to make sure that products are safe and work as they should.
This notice means that these devices, which are sometimes called Extended Reality (XR) goods, have to go through safety certification in India for the first time.
What is the New Mandate?
Before, smartphones and laptops had to be BIS-certified, but AR/VR headsets were in a “grey area” when it came to regulations. As of the most recent update, all makers (both local and foreign) and importers must get BIS CRS Registration in order to make, import, or sell these devices in India.
Key Details of the Notification:
- Product Category: Devices for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR).
- Applicable Indian Standard: IS/IEC 62368-1:2023.
- Effective Date: 5th December 2025.
- Standard Title: Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment – Part 1: Safety Requirements.
Why This Matters for Your Business
The move to required certification isn’t just a problem; it’s a must if you want to get into the market. If you don’t follow the rules by the effective date, you could:
- Import Seizures: Customs will stop shipments that don’t have a valid BIS R-Number.
- Sales Bans: You can’t sell anything on e-commerce sites or in stores if they don’t have the BIS Standard Mark.
- Legal Penalties: If you don’t follow the rules, you could face big fines and recalls of your products.
Shift to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023
The addition of XR devices comes at the same time as India’s move from older standards like IS 13252 and IS 616 to the newer IS/IEC 62368-1:2023. This new standard is “hazard-based,” which means it looks at how safe the equipment is depending on the types of energy it utilizes (such electrical or thermal). This makes it better for high-tech, battery-powered wearable gadgets like AR glasses.
BIS CRS Registration Process
To achieve compliance, manufacturers must follow a structured process:
- Product Testing: To make sure they match the IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 safety guidelines, samples must be examined by a BIS-recognized lab in India.
- Documentation: Preparation of a technical file, including test reports and manufacturer credentials.
- Appointment of AIR (for Foreign Brands): Foreign companies must hire an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to handle the registration and be the main point of contact in India.
- Online Application: Submission of the application through the BIS portal.
- Grant of R-Number: BIS gives a unique Registration Number (R-Number) to each product after it has been confirmed. This number must be on the product and its packaging.
Looking Ahead: The December 2025 Deadline
The industry is actively encouraged to start testing and registering early, even though the required enforcement doesn’t start until December 5, 2025. As the deadline gets closer, testing lines at well-known labs can get long, and the registration procedure can take a few weeks.
Companies can maintain an uninterrupted supply chain and increase customer trust in the Indian IT sector, which is growing quickly, by getting BIS certification immediately.
