New BIS Requirements for Mobile Tempered Glass in India: IS 19348:2025 and the April 2027 Compliance Deadline

The Indian mobile-accessories market is entering a significant compliance transition.

Products that consumers commonly refer to as mobile tempered glass, screen guard, glass screen protector or smartphone screen protector will soon be subject to a specific Indian regulatory requirement. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has added “Screen Protectors for smartphones” to the compulsory registration framework under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021.

The notified product category is linked to IS 19348:2025 – Glass Screen Protector — Specification, and the requirement is scheduled to apply from 1 April 2027.

For manufacturers, importers, Indian brands, distributors and businesses sourcing tempered glass from overseas suppliers, this is an important compliance development.

This article explains what has changed, what IS 19348:2025 covers, the major technical requirements, marking and packaging expectations, who should prepare, and how businesses can approach the upcoming BIS compliance process.

What Has Changed for Mobile Tempered Glass in India?

On 21 September 2026, MeitY issued S.O. 5190(E) amending the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021.

The amendment introduced a new entry at Serial No. 66:

The official BIS Scheme-II page now lists the product at Serial No. 66, against IS 19348:2025.

BIS also lists IS 19348:2025 in its standards database as a new product specification titled “GLASS SCREEN PROTECTOR – SPECIFICATION.”

This means businesses dealing with covered smartphone screen protectors should not treat IS 19348:2025 simply as an optional quality reference. The government notification has established a compulsory registration requirement for the specified product category from 1 April 2027.

What Is IS 19348:2025?

IS 19348:2025 is the Indian Standard titled:

Glass Screen Protector — Specification

The standard was published by BIS in July 2025. BIS's standard record identifies it as a product specification developed under the Glass, Glassware and Laboratoryware Sectional Committee, CHD 10.

The standard establishes requirements and test methods for glass screen protectors used as additional protective layers over electronic displays.

The scope refers to applications such as:

• Smartphones
• Tablets
• Laptops
• PC screens
• E-readers
• Other electronic displays

The technical standard defines a glass screen protector as a multi-layered protective covering based on chemically strengthened or tempered glass. Depending on the product design, it may incorporate components such as adhesive layers, anti-shatter film, oleophobic coatings, anti-glare films, blue-light filtering layers, anti-fingerprint coatings or privacy films.

However, there is an important regulatory distinction:

The mandatory government notification specifically identifies:

“Screen Protectors for smartphones.”

Therefore, manufacturers and importers should assess their individual products against both the scope of IS 19348:2025 and the product description in the applicable MeitY notification, rather than assuming that every type of display-protection product is automatically covered.

Why Is BIS Compliance Being Introduced for Mobile Screen Protectors?

For years, the Indian market has contained a very wide range of screen-protection products sold under descriptions such as:

• Tempered Glass
• 9H Glass
• 10D Glass
• Full Glue Glass
• Premium Glass
• Privacy Glass
• Ultra-Clear Glass
• Anti-Glare Glass
• Chemically Tempered Glass

These commercial descriptions do not, by themselves, provide a uniform technical benchmark.

IS 19348:2025 introduces measurable parameters covering areas such as:

• Glass thickness
• Dimensions
• Optical transmission
• Visual defects
• Surface compression
• Mechanical strength
• Packaging
• Product marking
• Sampling and testing

This creates a more structured basis for determining whether a glass screen protector meets the applicable Indian Standard.

Key Technical Requirements Under IS 19348:2025

One of the most important aspects for manufacturers is understanding that compliance is not based simply on calling a product “tempered glass.”

The product must meet specified technical requirements.

1. Glass Thickness

The declared nominal thickness of the glass becomes an important compliance parameter.

Under the standard, the measured glass thickness is required to remain within ±10% of the declared nominal thickness.

The requirement specifically relates to the glass thickness itself, rather than simply the overall thickness of the complete multi-layer product.

Why this matters

Manufacturers should establish accurate nominal thickness values for each applicable product/model and ensure that production remains within the permitted tolerance.

A manufacturer should therefore avoid treating thickness merely as a marketing specification.

2. Dimensional Accuracy

IS 19348:2025 also establishes tolerances for the length and width of the finished screen protector.

The standard specifies dimensional tolerances based on the nominal dimension.

Measurements are to be performed using suitable precision measuring equipment.

For smartphone protectors, dimensional consistency is particularly relevant because the product needs to correspond accurately with the intended device display.

3. Visual Light Transmission — Optical Clarity

Optical performance is another significant requirement.

For a normal glass screen protector, the standard specifies visual light transmission of:

More than 89%

For screen protectors incorporating privacy films, the specified visual light transmission is:

Not less than 59%

The measurement is performed with the release liner removed using the applicable method referenced by the standard.

This requirement provides a measurable benchmark for optical transparency instead of relying solely on commercial claims such as “HD,” “Ultra Clear” or “Crystal Clear.”

4. Visual and Spot Defects

IS 19348:2025 also establishes controls for visible defects in the glass.

The standard addresses defects including:

• Pinholes
• Inclusions
• Bubbles
• Scratches
• Reams
• Strings
• Lines
• Linear or extended faults
• Defects on cut edges

For example, the standard specifies that pinholes, inclusions and bubbles above the specified size threshold are not permitted, while scratches are controlled according to their width and length.

The standard also requires control over defects on the cut side of the glass.

For manufacturers, this means quality control cannot stop at checking whether the glass “looks clear.” Production inspection needs to account for defined defect criteria.

5. Surface Compression Requirement

Chemically strengthened glass relies on compressive stress at the surface to improve its mechanical performance.

IS 19348:2025 specifies a minimum surface compression requirement of:

500 MPa

The standard provides a method for evaluating surface compression and case depth, including the use of appropriate stress-measurement techniques.

This is particularly relevant for manufacturers using chemical strengthening or ion-exchange processes.

Manufacturers should therefore be prepared to demonstrate that their production process consistently achieves the required surface-compression performance.

6. Mechanical Strength — Four-Point Bend Test

Mechanical performance is addressed through a specified uniaxial flexure strength test using the four-point bending method.

Under the standard, the calculated 10th percentile Weibull fracture stress is required to be:

Not less than 200 MPa

This gives manufacturers and testing laboratories a defined mechanical-strength criterion rather than relying on informal claims regarding product strength.

It is important to understand that this is a specific laboratory test method and should not automatically be described in marketing material as equivalent to every type of drop, impact or scratch test.

7. Packaging Requirements

Packaging is also addressed by IS 19348:2025.

The packet is required to carry information including:

• Source of manufacture
• Nominal thickness of the screen protector
• Code or batch number
• Month and year of manufacture

These requirements are important for traceability and production identification.

Manufacturers and importers should therefore review existing packaging artwork well before the mandatory implementation date.

8. Product Marking Requirements

The standard also contains requirements for marking each chemically tempered screen protector.

The individual piece is required to carry information relating to:

• Source of manufacture
• Year of manufacture

The standard describes fog marking for the individual glass piece.

The final BIS certification/registration marking requirements should be implemented according to the applicable BIS conformity-assessment requirements and instructions in force at the time of registration.

9. Sampling and Testing

IS 19348:2025 includes provisions for representative sampling.

This is an important point for manufacturers because compliance is not simply established by testing one piece of glass and assuming that an entire production range automatically conforms.

The standard provides sampling provisions under its relevant annex.

For manufacturers producing multiple thicknesses, designs or product variants, it is therefore important to establish a proper product-family and sampling strategy before submitting an application.

What Products and Businesses Should Pay Attention?

The upcoming requirement is particularly relevant to businesses involved in:

Manufacturers

Indian manufacturers producing glass screen protectors for smartphones should review their manufacturing processes, testing capabilities and quality-control systems.

Importers

Indian importers sourcing tempered glass from overseas manufacturers should begin reviewing their supplier factories and product specifications.

Private-Label Brands

A company selling screen protectors under its own brand should understand the relationship between the brand owner, manufacturer and BIS registration requirements.

Overseas Manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers supplying smartphone screen protectors to India should assess the applicable BIS registration route and Indian representation requirements.

Distributors and E-Commerce Sellers

Businesses operating downstream in the supply chain should review their sourcing arrangements to ensure that covered products can be legally supplied after the implementation date.

Is Every “Mobile Glass” Product Automatically Covered?

This is one of the most important questions businesses should address before beginning certification.

The government notification specifically identifies:

Screen Protectors for smartphones and links the category to:

IS 19348:2025 — Glass Screen Protector — Specification.

Therefore, businesses should not simply classify every display-protection product as covered or excluded based on its commercial name.

For example, the compliance assessment may need to distinguish between:

• Glass screen protectors
• Chemically strengthened glass protectors
• Plastic screen films
• Hydrogel films
• PET films
• Privacy glass
• Other display-protection accessories

The applicable product description, material construction, intended use and notified regulatory category should be reviewed together.

A product-specific applicability assessment is therefore recommended before filing a BIS application.

What Does the April 2027 Date Mean?

The notified implementation date is:

1 April 2027

BIS's own page on upcoming notified requirements lists Glass Screen Protector — Specification, IS 19348:2025, with an implementation date of 1 April 2027.

This gives businesses a preparation period before the requirement becomes applicable.

However, waiting until March 2027 may create unnecessary commercial pressure because certification can involve:

1. Product applicability assessment
2. Manufacturer documentation
3. Product specification review
4. Sample preparation
5. Laboratory testing
6. Test report review
7. BIS application
8. Factory/manufacturer assessment, where applicable
9. Clarification and compliance activities
10. Registration/licensing formalities

Actual timelines can vary depending on the applicant, manufacturer location, product configuration, testing requirements and BIS processing.

How Instacertify Can Support BIS Compliance for Mobile Tempered Glass

At Instacertify, we assist manufacturers, importers, private-label brands and businesses with regulatory certification and product-compliance requirements in India and international markets.

For smartphone glass screen protectors covered by the new requirement, our support can include:

1. BIS Applicability Assessment

Review of the product construction, intended use, specifications and applicable regulatory requirement.

2. IS 19348:2025 Gap Assessment

A structured review of the product against the relevant technical requirements of the Indian Standard.

3. Testing Coordination

Assistance in identifying and coordinating applicable testing requirements and laboratory activities.

4. Technical Documentation Support

Support with preparation and review of the documentation required for the compliance process.

5. Manufacturer & Factory Documentation

Review of manufacturer details, factory information, product specifications and supporting records.

6. BIS Registration Support

Assistance throughout the applicable BIS registration/conformity-assessment process.

7. Product & Model Mapping

Support in organising multiple smartphone models, variants and SKUs into an appropriate compliance structure.

8. Packaging & Marking Review

Review of product packaging and marking requirements against the applicable standard and BIS requirements.

9. Import Compliance Support

For overseas manufacturers and Indian importers, Instacertify can assist with understanding the regulatory pathway for bringing covered products into the Indian market.

Final Takeaway

The Indian regulatory landscape for smartphone screen protectors is changing.

IS 19348:2025 establishes a dedicated technical framework for glass screen protectors, while the 21 September 2026 MeitY notification brings screen protectors for smartphones into the compulsory registration framework from 1 April 2027.

For manufacturers and importers, the most practical approach is to begin with the product itself:

Identify → Assess → Test → Document → Register → Maintain Compliance

Businesses that currently manufacture or import mobile tempered glass should therefore review their product range, manufacturing locations, specifications, testing capabilities and packaging well before the April 2027 implementation date.

Instacertify can support businesses through the applicability assessment, technical review, testing coordination, documentation and BIS compliance process for applicable smartphone screen protectors.

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