Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances
Humidifiers
Strategic Recommendations for Humidifiers — IS 302 (Part 1): 2024
- Start BIS Certification in Advance of Deadlines
Manufacturers and importers should initiate BIS certification under Scheme-I well before the phased enforcement dates (1 October 2026 / 1 January 2027 / 1 April 2027) to accommodate testing, inspection, and approval timelines. - Engage ERA Compliance, Experts
ERA’s compliance team provides end-to-end support for BIS certification, including application filing, coordination with BIS-recognised laboratories, factory audit readiness, corrective action support, and ISI marking approval to ensure smooth and timely compliance. - Reach Out for Support
For product eligibility checks, documentation guidance, and certification timelines, stakeholders may directly connect with ERA’s compliance team.
📧 cs@eraglobal.co.in | 📞 +91 9599296331 | 💬 WhatsApp Support Available - Track Gazette Notifications and Amendments
Stay updated on future Government notifications, BIS amendments, and enforcement changes by regularly tracking Gazette publications and subscribing to the ERA Newsletter for timely regulatory alerts and compliance updates. - Ensure ISI Marking and Product Compliance Control
Only BIS-certified humidifiers conforming to IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 and bearing the ISI Mark should be manufactured, imported, or sold in India. Non-certified or transitional stock must be strictly segregated and managed as per the notified provisions.
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Humidifiers |
| Applicable Indian Standard (IS) No. | IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 / IEC 60335-1: 2020. |
| Title of Indian Standard | Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 1: General Requirements |
| Notification & Amendments | Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026 – S.O. 1739(E), dated 6 April 2026, issued by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry; supersedes the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2025, except for actions taken before such supersession. |
| Objective & Scope | To ensure safety, performance, and electrical reliability of humidifiers used in household and commercial environments by prescribing requirements relating to electrical insulation, protection against electric shock, overheating, moisture ingress, and safe operation under normal and abnormal conditions. |
| Products Covered | Electric humidifiers, including household, commercial, and similar application devices designed to increase humidity levels in indoor environments, including DC/battery-operated variants, falling within the scope of IS 302 (Part 1): 2024. |
| Implementation Dates (Category-wise) |
General Enterprises: 1 October 2026; Small Enterprises: 1 January 2027; Micro Enterprises: 1 April 2027. |
| Exemptions | Products manufactured exclusively for export; up to 200 units per year imported for R&D purposes (non-commercial use); declared pre-implementation stock allowed for sale up to six months, subject to declaration to BIS; products covered under other QCOs are excluded. |
| Special Coverage | Covers appliances operating up to 250V (single-phase) and 480V (other appliances), including DC supply and battery-operated humidifiers; applies across household, commercial, and similar usage environments. |
| Industries Impacted | Electrical appliance manufacturers, HVAC equipment manufacturers, humidifier brands, importers, distributors, retailers, e-commerce platforms, and component suppliers. |
| Mandatory Compliance | Products must conform to IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 and bear the ISI Mark under BIS licence (Scheme-I) before manufacture, import, sale, or distribution in India. |
| Next Steps for Stakeholders | Identify product applicability; initiate BIS certification; conduct testing through BIS-recognised labs; ensure factory compliance and documentation; obtain BIS licence; affix ISI Mark; align supply chain before enforcement deadlines. |
| Certification, Enforcement & Legal Framework | Certification and enforcement by BIS under Sections 16, 17, and 25(3) of the BIS Act, 2016, with compliance under Scheme-I of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. |
| Penalties for Non-Compliance | Non-compliance attracts penalties under the BIS Act, 2016: (i) imprisonment up to 2 years; (ii) minimum fine of ₹2 lakh extendable up to ten times the value of goods; (iii) additional penalties for continuing violations. |
| Amendment Clause | The latest version of IS 302 (Part 1), including amendments notified by BIS from time to time, applies automatically from the date of notification. |
| Conclusion | BIS certification for humidifiers is mandatory under the 2026 QCO from the applicable enforcement dates. Early compliance ensures uninterrupted market access and regulatory conformity. |
| References/Annexures | BIS Act, 2016; BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018; S.O. 1739(E) dated 6 April 2026; IS 302 (Part 1): 2024; IEC 60335-1: 2020. |
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Notification
Humidifiers have been brought under mandatory quality control through the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026, notified vide S.O. 1739(E) dated 6 April 2026 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This regulatory framework replaces the earlier 2025 order, while preserving actions taken before such supersession. The Order mandates that humidifiers must comply with IS 302 (Part 1): 2024, aligned with IEC 60335-1: 2020, ensuring adherence to globally harmonised electrical safety requirements.
Enforcement Timeline
The implementation follows a phased timeline to facilitate industry transition. Compliance becomes mandatory from 1 October 2026 for general enterprises, followed by 1 January 2027 for small enterprises and 1 April 2027 for micro enterprises. Additionally, manufacturers and importers holding declared pre-implementation stock are permitted to sell such inventory for up to six months from the respective enforcement date, subject to a formal declaration to BIS. This staggered enforcement ensures smooth adoption across industry segments while maintaining regulatory certainty.
Overview
The regulatory framework establishes comprehensive safety requirements for humidifiers used in residential, commercial, and similar environments. IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 prescribes critical parameters such as electrical insulation, resistance to moisture, protection against electric shock, thermal safety, and safe operation under both normal and abnormal conditions. Given that humidifiers operate in moisture-rich environments, the regulation specifically addresses risks related to water ingress and electrical hazards, ensuring consumer safety and product reliability.
Objective & Scope
The primary objective is to safeguard users from electrical and operational hazards associated with humidifiers while ensuring consistent product quality in the Indian market. The scope includes all electric humidifiers operating within specified voltage limits, including battery-operated and DC-powered variants. The regulation applies to manufacture, import, sale, and distribution within India, while products intended exclusively for export are exempt, subject to prescribed conditions.
Products Covered
The Order covers a wide range of humidifiers, including ultrasonic, evaporative, steam-based, and hybrid models used in households, offices, healthcare facilities, and commercial establishments. Both standalone and integrated humidification systems falling within the electrical appliance category are included, provided they meet the applicability criteria defined under IS 302 (Part 1): 2024.
Exemptions Provided
Limited exemptions are available for export-oriented production, research and development imports up to specified annual limits, and pre-implementation stock subject to declaration and time-bound clearance. Products already regulated under other applicable QCOs are excluded to avoid regulatory overlap. These exemptions are structured to balance compliance requirements with operational flexibility for industry stakeholders.
Industries Impacted
The regulation impacts manufacturers of humidifiers and HVAC equipment, appliance brands, OEM suppliers, importers, distributors, retailers, and e-commerce platforms. It also affects component suppliers involved in electrical safety systems, heating elements, and moisture control technologies, requiring alignment with BIS standards across the value chain.
Mandatory Compliance Requirements
Manufacturers and importers must obtain BIS certification under Scheme-I, ensure product testing in BIS-recognised laboratories, implement robust quality control systems, and affix the ISI Mark on compliant products. No humidifier can be manufactured, imported, or sold in India without meeting these requirements after the applicable enforcement date.
Next Steps for Stakeholders
Stakeholders should promptly assess product applicability, initiate BIS certification processes, coordinate with testing laboratories, and upgrade manufacturing and quality systems to meet IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 requirements. Early planning is essential to align certification timelines with enforcement deadlines and avoid supply disruptions.
Legal Provisions & Penalties
Certification and enforcement are administered by BIS under Sections 16, 17, and 25(3) of the BIS Act, 2016. Non-compliance attracts stringent penalties, including imprisonment up to two years, monetary fines starting from ₹2 lakh and extending up to ten times the value of goods, and additional penalties for continuing violations.
Conclusion
BIS certification for humidifiers is mandatory under the 2026 Quality Control framework. Timely compliance not only ensures legal market access but also enhances product safety, consumer trust, and long-term business sustainability.
Ready to start your certification journey?
Let us help you navigate regulatory challenges and achieve certification with ease. Leave us your details, and we’ll get back to you—or request a free consultation today.