Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances
Electrolysers
Strategic Recommendations for Electrolysers — 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.
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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 electrolysers 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 | Electrolysers |
| 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 2025 Order except for actions taken before supersession |
| Objective & Scope | To ensure safety, electrical reliability, and protection against hazards such as electric shock, overheating, and fire risks in electrolysers used in household, commercial, and similar applications operating within specified voltage limits. |
| Products Covered | Electrolysers and similar electrically operated appliances intended for electrochemical processes in household, commercial, or similar environments, including DC-supplied and battery-operated variants within prescribed voltage limits. |
| Enforcement Date (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. |
| Special Coverage | Applicable to all electrical appliances up to 250V (single-phase) and 480V (other appliances, including DC and battery-operated); excludes products already covered under other QCOs or separate BIS mandatory certification frameworks. |
| Industries Impacted | Electrolyser manufacturers, electrical equipment manufacturers, hydrogen and chemical processing equipment suppliers, OEMs, importers, distributors, industrial solution providers, and e-commerce sellers. |
| Mandatory Compliance | Products must conform to IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 and bear the ISI Mark under BIS Scheme-I licence before manufacture, import, sale, or distribution in India. |
| Next Steps for Stakeholders | Identify applicable product categories; conduct safety testing through BIS-recognised labs; align design and manufacturing with IS requirements; apply for BIS certification; complete factory inspection; obtain a licence; ensure ISI marking before market entry. |
| Certification, Enforcement & Legal Provision | Certification and enforcement carried out by BIS under Sections 16, 17, and 25(3) of the BIS Act, 2016, along with BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. |
| Penalties for Non-Compliance | Imprisonment up to 2 years under the BIS Act, 2016, Monetary fine starting from ₹2 lakh and extendable up to ten times the value of goods, Additional penalties for continuing violations, and seizure of non-compliant goods. |
| Amendment Clause | The latest version of IS 302, including amendments notified by BIS from time to time, shall apply from the date of such notification. |
| Conclusion | BIS certification for electrolysers is mandatory from the notified enforcement dates; early compliance is essential to ensure uninterrupted market access and avoid regulatory 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. |
Notification
Electrolysers are covered under 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. The Order supersedes the earlier 2025 framework, except for actions taken before such supersession. It mandates that electrolysers conform to IS 302 (Part 1): 2024, aligned with IEC 60335-1:2020, ensuring standardized safety requirements for electrical appliances across India.
Enforcement Timeline
As per the implementation schedule notified in the Order, compliance becomes mandatory from 1 October 2026 for general enterprises, 1 January 2027 for small enterprises, and 1 April 2027 for micro enterprises. This phased approach provides transition time for MSMEs while ensuring that all market participants progressively align with safety and certification requirements within defined timelines.
Overview
The regulation establishes a comprehensive safety framework for electrolysers used in domestic, commercial, and similar environments. These appliances involve electrochemical processes and electrical operations that pose potential risks such as electric shock, thermal hazards, and insulation failures. IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 defines critical safety parameters, including electrical insulation, mechanical strength, temperature limits, leakage current, and protection against abnormal operation. The framework aims to eliminate unsafe products from the market and promote reliable, safe electrical equipment.
Objective & Scope
The primary objective is to ensure user safety and operational reliability of electrolysers by mandating compliance with standardized electrical safety requirements. The scope covers the manufacture, import, sale, and distribution of electrolysers operating within voltage limits of up to 250V for single-phase and 480V for other configurations, including DC and battery-operated systems. Products already regulated under other QCOs are excluded to avoid regulatory overlap.
Products Covered
The Order covers electrolysers and similar electrochemical electrical appliances used across residential, commercial, and light industrial environments. This includes systems used for water electrolysis, chemical processing, and related applications, provided they fall within the defined electrical and usage parameters under IS 302 (Part 1): 2024.
Exemptions Provided
Limited exemptions are provided for products manufactured exclusively for export, R&D imports up to 200 units annually (non-commercial use), and declared pre-implementation stock, which may be sold for up to six months from the enforcement date upon proper declaration to BIS. These provisions ensure flexibility while maintaining regulatory intent.
Industries Impacted
The regulation impacts a broad ecosystem, including manufacturers of electrolysers, hydrogen technology companies, electrical equipment manufacturers, OEM suppliers, importers, distributors, and industrial solution providers. E-commerce platforms and retailers dealing in such products must also ensure that only BIS-certified products are listed and sold.
Mandatory Compliance Requirements
Manufacturers and importers must obtain BIS certification under Scheme-I, ensure product testing in BIS-recognised laboratories, comply with factory inspection and quality control norms, and affix the ISI Mark on each compliant product. Only certified products can be legally manufactured, imported, or sold in India after the enforcement dates.
Next Steps for Stakeholders
Stakeholders should immediately identify applicable products, initiate BIS certification processes, conduct gap analysis against IS 302 requirements, and align manufacturing and quality systems accordingly. Early action is essential to avoid supply disruptions and ensure a smooth regulatory transition.
Legal Provisions & Penalties
Certification and enforcement are governed by the Bureau of Indian Standards under Sections 16, 17, and 25(3) of the BIS Act, 2016. Non-compliance attracts strict penalties, including imprisonment up to two years, fines starting from ₹2 lakh and extending up to ten times the value of goods, and additional penalties for continued violations.
Conclusion
Compliance with IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 is mandatory for electrolysers from the notified enforcement dates. Businesses that proactively align with BIS certification requirements will ensure regulatory compliance, maintain market access, and build trust through adherence to safety standards.
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