BIS Certification for Batteries: IS 16046, IS 16805 & IS 15549 – Which Standard Applies

If you make or import batteries for India, the first question is not "how do I get BIS?" but "which standard does my battery fall under?" A power bank cell, an inverter battery and an e-rickshaw pack are all "lithium batteries", yet each follows a different route.

In short: portable rechargeable nickel and lithium batteries need BIS CRS registration under IS 16046 (Part 1 for nickel, Part 2 for lithium). Industrial and stationary lithium batteries are tested to IS 16805. Stationary valve-regulated lead-acid batteries are tested to IS 15549. EV traction batteries follow automotive standards.

Which Standard Applies to Your Battery?

Battery type	Standard	Route
Portable Li-ion and Li-polymer cells and packs (phones, laptops, power banks, rechargeable coin cells)	IS 16046 (Part 2), aligned with IEC 62133-2	Mandatory BIS CRS registration
Portable Ni-MH and Ni-Cd cells and packs	IS 16046 (Part 1), aligned with IEC 62133-1	Mandatory BIS CRS registration
Industrial and stationary lithium batteries (inverter, UPS, solar storage, telecom backup)	IS 16805, aligned with IEC 62619	Check the current notification for your product
Stationary valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries	IS 15549	Testing to the standard; often required in tenders
EV traction batteries	AIS-156 (two- and three-wheelers), AIS-038 (cars and commercial vehicles)	Vehicle type approval through a testing agency

The mandatory CRS list can change, so confirm your product in our CRS page for sealed secondary cells and batteries before you plan testing.

IS 16046: The Standard for Portable Batteries

IS 16046 sets safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells and batteries made from them. It is the standard behind most battery CRS registrations. Typical tests include:

• Continuous charging at low rate
• Vibration and moulded case stress at high temperature
• External short circuit
• Free fall
• Thermal abuse
• Crush
• Over-charging of the battery and forced discharge
• Internal short circuit for lithium cells, where applicable

Some tests need cells conditioned through charge and discharge cycles first, which is why battery testing takes longer than many other CRS products.

Cell vs pack registration

BIS treats the cell and the battery pack as separate products. The cell inside a pack should hold its own registration, and the pack is registered on top of that. If your cell supplier is not registered, start there. Many delays come from packs that cannot be registered because the cell is not.

IS 16805: Industrial and Stationary Lithium Batteries

IS 16805 is aligned with IEC 62619 and covers safety of secondary lithium cells and batteries for industrial use, including stationary storage and backup power. It covers tests such as short circuit, impact, drop, thermal abuse, overcharge, forced discharge and internal short circuit, and it checks the battery management system's protective functions.

If your battery is for an inverter, UPS, solar storage or telecom site, IS 16046 is usually the wrong standard. Our guide to BIS for UPS and inverters explains how the battery and the equipment fit together.

IS 15549: Stationary VRLA Lead-Acid Batteries

IS 15549 specifies stationary valve-regulated lead-acid batteries, the type used in large UPS systems, telecom and power plants. Tests cover capacity, endurance, charge retention, gas emission and other performance checks. Buyers such as utilities and telecom operators often ask for IS 15549 test reports in tenders.

BIS CRS Registration Process for Batteries

1. Confirm the standard and the model list. Group models into a series where BIS guidelines allow, to reduce testing.
2. Register the cell first, if you make packs.
3. Send samples to a BIS-recognised lab through the CRS portal. Get the test request generated before shipping samples.
4. Review the test report. Check model numbers, ratings and photos match your label and documents.
5. File the application on the CRS portal with the report, documents and fees. Foreign manufacturers need an Authorised Indian Representative.
6. Answer BIS queries quickly and correctly.
7. Get the R-number and mark the battery and packaging as BIS requires.

The CRS steps are covered in more detail in our CRS guide and CRS portal guide.

Documents You Will Need

• Business licence and address proof of the manufacturer
• Trademark certificate or brand authorisation
• Test report from a BIS-recognised lab
• Cell registration details, for packs
• Product label, marking layout and datasheet
• Critical components list and circuit or BMS details
• AIR documents and nomination, for foreign manufacturers

Cost and Timeline

BIS fees for CRS registration are the application fee, the annual licence fee and the processing fee, with concessions for micro, small and medium enterprises. Lab charges depend on the standard, the number of models and whether cells and packs are tested together. Ask the lab for a quote per model before you ship.

For timeline, plan on roughly 6 to 10 weeks: several weeks of lab testing because of conditioning and cycling, then BIS review. Retests after a failure add several weeks. BIS has also announced capacity verification for batteries from 1 May 2027, so check the latest guidelines before you plan testing.

Common Mistakes

• Using IS 16046 for an inverter or solar battery. Industrial lithium batteries use IS 16805.
• Applying for the pack before the cell. An unregistered cell blocks the pack.
• Label mismatch. Rated capacity, voltage and model on the label must match the report.
• Treating UN 38.3 as BIS. UN 38.3 covers transport, not sale. See our UN 38.3 testing page.

How Instacertify Helps

We confirm the right standard for your battery, plan cell and pack registrations, coordinate testing in BIS-recognised labs, act as AIR for foreign manufacturers and follow the CRS application to the R-number. See our BIS CRS certification service.