Electrical Appliances
Insulating Mats for Electrical Purposes
🎯 Strategic Recommendations for Insulating Mats (IS 15652:2006)
- Begin BIS Certification Immediately
Large & Medium enterprises must comply by 1 July 2024; Small enterprises by 1 October 2024; Micro enterprises by 1 January 2025 under IS 15652:2006. - Consult Compliance Professionals (ERA)
Partner with the ERA Compliance Team to handle BIS application, product testing, and ISI mark labelling. - Reach Out for Support
📧 cs@eraglobal.co.in | 📞 +91 9599296331 | 💬 WhatsApp — For assistance with BIS filing, lab coordination and exemption declarations. - Track QCO Amendments & Exemptions
Stay updated on Table-2 18-month deferment and any future amendments via official Gazette notifications and ERA newsletter (note: IS 15652:2006 is in Table-1). - Ensure Marking & Declarations
All insulating mats must carry ISI mark or be formally declared under exemption by the applicable deadline.
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Insulating Mats for Electrical Purposes |
| Applicable Indian Standard (IS) No. | IS 15652:2006 |
| Title of Indian Standard | Insulating Mats for Electrical Purposes – Specification |
| Quality Control Order | Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023 |
| Notification & Amendments | Notified via S.O. 43(E), dated 1 January 2024 (DPIIT). No amendments issued to date. |
| Final Enforcement Date | Large & Medium Enterprises: 1 July 2024 (6 months); Small Enterprises: 1 October 2024 (9 months); Micro Enterprises: 1 January 2025 (12 months). |
| Objective & Scope | Specify construction, classification and testing requirements for insulating mats used to protect personnel from electric shock in live working areas. |
| Products Covered | Insulating mats for use in substations, switchyards, control rooms, under switchgear/panels and similar high-voltage or live-working locations. |
| Exemptions | Products manufactured exclusively for export, and those produced for research, development, or testing purposes. |
| Industries Impacted | PPE manufacturers, power utilities (generation/transmission/distribution), electrical contractors, industrial maintenance, OEMs of switchgear and control panels. |
| Mandatory Compliance | Conformity to IS 15652:2006; ISI marking under a valid BIS licence as per Scheme-I of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. |
| Next Steps for Stakeholders | Apply for BIS licence, complete testing in BIS-recognised labs, update packaging/labeling for ISI mark, declare any exempt/non-ISI stock where applicable. |
| Legal Framework Provision & Enforcement | Enforced under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016; BIS is the certifying and enforcing authority for the QCO. |
| Penalties | Contravention punishable under the BIS Act, 2016 — seizure of goods, fines, suspension/cancellation of licence, and imprisonment (as provided under the Act). |
| Conclusion | IS 15652:2006 certification is mandatory from the stated staggered dates to ensure safe insulating performance and protect personnel working near live equipment. |
| References/Annexures | Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023 — S.O. 43(E), dated 1 January 2024 (Gazette of India: Extraordinary). |
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Notification
Insulating Mats for Electrical Purposes are covered under the Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023, issued via S.O. 43(E) dated 1 January 2024 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, under the BIS Act, 2016. This Order mandates compulsory BIS certification for insulating mats to be sold, imported, or distributed in India.
Enforcement Timeline
The Order comes into force six months from publication for Large & Medium Enterprises (1 July 2024), nine months for Small Enterprises (1 October 2024), and twelve months for Micro Enterprises (1 January 2025).
Overview
Insulating mats are a critical safety barrier used in electrical installations, power generation units, substations, switchyards, and control panels to safeguard personnel from electric shocks. These mats provide dielectric strength, mechanical durability, fire resistance, and moisture protection, ensuring worker safety during maintenance or operation of high-voltage equipment. Substandard mats could cause fatal accidents, power failures, and industrial liabilities — hence the regulation enforces stringent BIS oversight.
Objective & Scope
The Indian Standard IS 15652:2006 specifies the classification, material composition, mechanical and electrical performance, and testing protocols for insulating mats used in electrical environments. The scope includes mats designed for use in AC and DC installations up to specified voltage levels, ensuring compliance with both safety and durability requirements.
Products Covered
The QCO covers insulating mats placed on floors of electrical installations, typically made of elastomeric compounds, designed to provide insulation to personnel working with switchboards, control panels, and high-voltage apparatus.
Exemptions Provided
- Products manufactured solely for export.
- Mats intended only for R&D or testing purposes.
All other insulating mats for domestic applications must carry BIS certification and ISI marking.
Industries Impacted
This Order impacts a wide spectrum of sectors:
- Electrical utilities and power generation companies.
- Transmission and distribution networks.
- Manufacturers of switchgear, transformers, and control systems.
- Industrial plants, oil & gas refineries, and railways.
- Safety equipment suppliers and EPC contractors.
Mandatory Compliance Requirements
All insulating mats must conform to IS 15652:2006, undergo type testing in BIS-approved laboratories, and carry the ISI certification mark. Compliance falls under Scheme-I of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Next Steps for Stakeholders
Manufacturers and importers must:
- Apply for BIS certification immediately.
- Conduct type tests (dielectric strength, aging, flammability, tensile strength).
- Ensure packaging/labelling carries the ISI mark before sale.
- Declare any export or exempt stock as per QCO rules.
Legal Provisions, Enforcement & Penalties
The Order is enforced under the BIS Act, 2016, empowering BIS to conduct factory audits, market inspections, and license verifications. Non-compliance attracts seizure of goods, monetary fines, suspension or cancellation of license, and imprisonment up to two years.
Conclusion
Enforcement of IS 15652:2006 ensures that insulating mats across Indian industries are safe, reliable, and standardized, thereby reducing workplace accidents, protecting personnel, and strengthening India’s industrial safety ecosystem.
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.