Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances
Blankets, Pads, Clothing and Similar Flexible Heating Appliances
Strategic Recommendations for Blankets, Pads, Clothing and Similar Flexible Heating Appliances — 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 Safety Control
Only BIS-certified flexible heating appliances 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 | Blankets, Pads, Clothing and Similar Flexible Heating Appliances |
| 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 Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2025. |
| Implementation Dates (Category-wise) | General Enterprises: 1 October 2026; Small Enterprises: 1 January 2027; Micro Enterprises: 1 April 2027. |
| Objective & Scope | To ensure electrical safety, thermal protection, insulation integrity, and prevention of fire and shock hazards in flexible heating appliances used in household and similar environments. Covers appliances operating within prescribed voltage limits for domestic, commercial, and similar applications. |
| Products Covered | Electric blankets, heating pads, heated clothing, flexible heating mats, and similar appliances designed for personal heating or comfort applications, including DC and battery-operated variants. |
| Exemptions | Products manufactured exclusively for export; up to 200 units per year for R&D purposes (non-commercial use); declared pre-implementation stock allowed for sale up to six months, subject to declaration; products covered under other applicable QCOs are excluded. |
| Industries Impacted | Electrical appliance manufacturers, heating product brands, textile-integrated heating product manufacturers, OEM suppliers, importers, distributors, retailers, and e-commerce platforms. |
| Special Coverage | Includes AC, DC, and battery-operated appliances; applies to appliances up to 250V (single-phase) and 480V (other appliances); covers both household and commercial use flexible heating products. |
| Mandatory Compliance | Products must conform to IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 and bear the ISI Mark under a valid BIS licence (Scheme-I) before manufacture, import, or sale in India. |
| Next Steps for Stakeholders | Identify applicable product models; align design with safety requirements; conduct testing in BIS-recognised labs; apply for BIS licence; complete factory inspection; implement marking and compliance controls before enforcement deadlines. |
| Certification, Enforcement & Legal Provision | Certification and enforcement by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under Sections 16, 17, and 25(3) of the BIS Act, 2016; conformity assessment under Scheme-I of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. |
| Penalty for Non-Compliance | Non-compliance attracts penalties under BIS Act, 2016: (i) imprisonment up to 2 years, (ii) minimum fine ₹2 lakh extendable up to ten times the value of goods, (iii) additional penalties for continued violations and product seizure. |
| Amendment Clause | Latest version of IS 302 including all amendments notified by BIS from time to time shall apply from the date of such notification. |
| Conclusion | BIS certification is mandatory for flexible heating appliances from notified dates. Early compliance ensures product safety, uninterrupted market access, and avoidance of legal penalties. |
| 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
Blankets, pads, clothing, and similar flexible heating appliances 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 Order supersedes the earlier 2025 notification while preserving actions taken prior to such supersession. The regulation mandates compliance with IS 302 (Part 1): 2024, aligned with IEC 60335-1: 2020, establishing uniform electrical safety requirements across a wide range of appliances, including flexible heating products.
Overview
Flexible heating appliances such as electric blankets and heating pads pose inherent risks related to overheating, insulation failure, and electrical shock due to their direct contact with the human body. IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 establishes comprehensive safety parameters, including thermal regulation, dielectric strength, insulation resistance, mechanical durability, and protection against fire hazards. The regulation ensures that such products are designed and manufactured to operate safely under normal and abnormal conditions, thereby reducing risks to consumers and enhancing product reliability.
Objective & Scope
The primary objective is to safeguard consumer safety by ensuring that flexible heating appliances meet stringent electrical and thermal safety standards. The scope includes the manufacture, import, and sale of these appliances intended for household, commercial, or similar applications within specified voltage limits. It also includes modern product variants such as battery-operated and DC-powered heating devices. Products exclusively manufactured for export are excluded from domestic compliance requirements, subject to prescribed conditions.
Products Covered
The regulation covers electric blankets, heating pads, heated garments, flexible heating sheets, and similar appliances designed for personal comfort and thermal use. It includes both traditional AC-powered devices and newer portable or wearable heating technologies. The coverage ensures that all variants, regardless of form factor or power source, meet uniform safety standards under IS 302 (Part 1): 2024.
Exemptions Provided
Limited exemptions are available for export-only products, research and development imports up to 200 units annually, and declared pre-implementation stock. Additionally, products already regulated under other QCOs or statutory frameworks are excluded to avoid regulatory overlap. These exemptions are conditional and require adherence to documentation and declaration requirements.
Industries Impacted
The Order impacts manufacturers of heating appliances, textile-integrated smart clothing producers, electrical product brands, OEM manufacturers, importers, distributors, and online marketplaces. It also affects supply chains dealing with heating elements, insulation materials, and electronic control systems integrated into flexible heating products.
Mandatory Compliance Requirements
Manufacturers and importers must obtain BIS certification under Scheme-I, ensure product testing through BIS-recognised laboratories, comply with factory inspection requirements, and affix the ISI Mark on each product. Compliance must be ensured prior to manufacture or import for sale in India. Ongoing quality control and surveillance requirements must also be maintained.
Enforcement Timeline
As per the implementation schedule, mandatory compliance applies from 1 October 2026 for general enterprises, 1 January 2027 for small enterprises, and 1 April 2027 for micro enterprises. The phased enforcement structure provides additional time to MSMEs for transitioning to compliant manufacturing systems. Manufacturers and importers are also permitted to clear declared pre-implementation stock for up to six months from the respective enforcement date, subject to certification-related declarations to BIS.
Next Steps for Stakeholders
Stakeholders should immediately assess product applicability, initiate BIS certification processes, upgrade design and safety features as per IS 302 requirements, and align production systems with compliance standards. Early planning is essential to avoid supply disruptions and ensure timely market access before enforcement deadlines.
Legal Provisions & Penalties
Certification and enforcement are administered by BIS under the BIS Act, 2016. Non-compliance may result in severe 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. Enforcement actions may also include product seizure and market restrictions.
Conclusion
Compliance with IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 is mandatory for flexible heating appliances from the notified enforcement dates. Timely certification and adherence to safety standards are essential to ensure consumer protection, regulatory compliance, and uninterrupted business operations in the Indian market.
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.