India is one of the world’s fast-growing emerging markets and a major export destination for lithium batteries and electric mobility products. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) enforces mandatory certification for lithium-ion batteries under IS 16046-2:2018. Products without valid BIS certification are prohibited from sale in India. A clear understanding of the BIS framework, test requirements and application procedures is essential for manufacturers targeting the Indian market.

1. Overview of BIS Certification System

BIS is India’s national authority responsible for standards and product compliance. Its mainstream certification schemes are listed below:

• ISI Certification: Product compliance certification for domestic Indian manufacturers
• CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme): Mandatory registration for imported electronic and IT products
• BIS Type Approval: Mandatory certification applicable to battery products

As per Indian Government Notification GSR 804(E) issued in 2022, lithium batteries are officially included in the mandatory BIS certification scope with IS 16046-2:2018 as the applicable standard. Uncertified lithium batteries are banned from sales and industrial use across India.

2. Applicable Standard: IS 16046-2:2018

IS 16046-2:2018 is the Indian national standard adopted from IEC 62133-2:2017, with highly consistent technical requirements.

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Manufacturers holding valid IEC 62133-2 CB test reports can leverage the high standard equivalence to accelerate BIS procedures and avoid redundant testing, saving time and costs.

3. 9 Core Test Items per IS 16046-2:2018

Lithium batteries must pass all the following safety tests:

1. Continuous low-rate overcharge: Charge at 0.1C for 28 days; no leakage or explosion allowed
2. External short circuit: Short-circuit test on fully charged batteries; fire and explosion are prohibited
3. Forced discharge (single cell): Discharge cells to over-discharge status to verify thermal runaway protection
4. Vibration test: Simulate transit vibration to check internal connection reliability
5. Mechanical impact: Simulate drops during transportation to assess structural integrity
6. High temperature exposure: Evaluate chemical safety at 70 °C
7. Temperature cycling: Cycle between -20 °C and +60 °C to verify sealing and electrochemical stability
8. Compression test (battery pack): Apply external pressure to simulate mechanical damage scenarios
9. Overcharge protection: Verify BMS can cut off power effectively under overcharge conditions

4. 5-Step BIS Certification Application Process

Step 1: Product classification Confirm the product falls under BIS-regulated lithium battery categories (cells, packs, energy storage modules, etc.) and verify the corresponding HSN code per official notifications.

Step 2: Appoint BIS Recognized Laboratory BIS only accepts test reports issued by officially recognized laboratories. Many qualified laboratories in Mainland China hold BIS recognition, so testing can be completed locally without shipping samples to India.

Step 3: Conduct testing and obtain reports Complete all tests in compliance with IS 16046-2:2018. Discuss report reuse solutions with the lab if you already have IEC 62133-2 CB documents.

Step 4: Submit application via official platform File applications on BIS online portal manakonline.in, and upload test reports, product specifications, factory documents and other materials. BIS will arrange an on-site factory inspection.

Step 5: Factory inspection & certificate issuance BIS auditors conduct on-site audits to verify production and quality control capabilities. A formal BIS certificate will be issued upon approval. The certificate is generally valid for 1–2 years and requires timely renewal.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is BIS certification mandatory for all lithium batteries? A: Yes. Since the enforcement of GSR 804(E), all lithium batteries including cells, packs and energy storage modules must hold BIS certificates for sales or component assembly in India. Non-compliant goods will be detained by customs and subject to penalties.

Q: Can CB certificates speed up BIS application? A: Yes. Due to technical equivalence between the two standards, valid IEC 62133-2 CB test reports serve as reliable references to reduce repeated testing. Confirm document reuse rules with BIS-recognized laboratories in advance.

Q: Do products have to be tested in India? A: Not necessarily. Multiple Chinese laboratories are recognized by BIS to conduct testing locally. However, on-site factory inspection by BIS auditors is normally still required.

Q: What is the validity period of BIS certificates? A: Lithium battery BIS certificates are valid for 1–2 years and need renewal before expiry. Re-application or modification filing is required if product models or key parameters are changed.

Q: How to arrange certification for exports to India, Europe and South Korea simultaneously? A: Take IEC 62133-2 CB certification as the core. Complete international standard testing in one go, then convert the reports for BIS (IS 16046-2), CE (EN 62133-2) and KC (KC 62133). This maximizes data reuse and cuts overall certification costs and lead time.

Feel free to contact us for inquiries about BIS certification fees, lead time and testing arrangements.

Disclaimer This article is for reference only and does not constitute certification commitment or legal advice. All operations shall comply with the latest official BIS regulations and standards.