Household Electrical goods
Residual current operated circuit breakers for house hold and similar uses-Part 1
Strategic Recommendations for Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breakers for Household and Similar Uses – Part 1: Circuit-Breakers Without Integral Overcurrent Protection (RCCBs).
- Begin BIS Certification Immediately
Manufacturers and importers must ensure BIS licence and ISI marking under IS 12640 (Part 1). RCCBs have been under mandatory certification since 17 Feb 2003. - Consult Compliance Professionals (ERA)
Partner with the ERA Compliance Team to handle BIS applications, type testing, licence maintenance, and ISI mark compliance. - Reach Out for Support
📧 cs@eraglobal.co.in | 📞 +91 9599296331 | 💬 WhatsApp
For guidance on QCO amendments, BIS licence renewals, and product conformity. - Track QCO Amendments & Exemptions
Stay updated on amendments (2004, 2005, 2009, 2010) and export-related exemptions via the ERA NEWSLETTER. - Ensure Marking & Declarations
All RCCBs must bear the ISI mark with licence details; only export goods are exempt.
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Residual current operated circuit breakers for house hold and similar uses-Part 1 |
| Applicable Indian Standard (IS) No. | IS 12640 (Part 1) |
| Title of Indian Standard | Residual Current Operated Circuit-Breakers for Household and Similar Uses – Part 1: Circuit-Breakers Without Integral Overcurrent Protection (RCCBs). |
| Quality Control Order | Electrical Wires, Cables, Appliances and Protection Devices and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2003 — the parent QCO that brings RCCBs within mandatory certification. |
| Notification & Amendments | Notified by S.O. 189(E) dated 17 Feb 2003. Subsequently amended by S.O. 165(E) (5 Feb 2004), S.O. 1172(E) (22 Aug 2005), S.O. 512(E) (19 Feb 2009), S.O. 2058(E) (7 Aug 2009) and S.O. 2604(E) (Oct 2010 — amendment to proviso). |
| Final Enforcement Date | QCO effective from publication (17 Feb 2003); manufacturers were required to apply for BIS licence within 45 days of the Order and “regular production” of items in the Schedule was to commence only after obtaining a valid licence (clause 4). No separate MSME phase-in date was specified for RCCBs in the QCO/amendments. |
| Objective & Scope | To mandate minimum safety, performance and marking requirements for RCCBs used in household/similar installations, and to ensure products conform to IS 12640 (Part 1) to reduce electric-shock & fire risks. |
| Products Covered | RCCBs without integral overcurrent protection as defined in IS 12640 (Part 1): devices functionally independent of or dependent on line voltage, for household & similar uses (typical ratings up to low-voltage household systems). |
| Exemptions | Export-only consignments are expressly treated separately by the QCO (proviso to Clause 3(1)); the 2010 amendment (S.O. 2604(E)) altered wording of the proviso — but domestic sale of non-ISI RCCBs remains covered. No general domestic exemption for RCCBs is listed. |
| Industries Impacted | Low-voltage switchgear manufacturers, electrical safety device OEMs, importers/distributors of protective devices, electrical panel assemblers, MEP contractors, retailers and e-commerce sellers of household electrical accessories. |
| Mandatory Compliance | BIS certification under Scheme-I (Product Certification) is mandatory; product & packaging must carry the ISI mark and licence details for RCCBs covered by IS 12640 (Part 1). |
| Next Steps for Stakeholders | Apply to BIS for Standard-Mark licence; complete type testing in BIS-recognized labs per PM/IS-12640(P-1)/2; set up/validate routine & in-process tests, traceability & marking as per Product Manual; update labels and documentation. |
| Legal Framework Provision & Enforcement | QCO issued under powers in the BIS Act framework (originally under the BIS Act, 1986; current enforcement governed by BIS Act, 2016 and BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018). Enforcement actions (inspection, seizure, licence suspension/cancellation) are available to authorities. |
| Penalties for Non-Compliance | QCO / BIS framework provides for seizure of non-conforming goods, licence cancellation/suspension and prosecution under BIS Act (penalties/fines and imprisonment provisions under the Act for specified offences). Specific penalty quantum depends on the relevant Act/Clause invoked. |
| Conclusion | RCCBs (IS 12640 Part 1) have been in the mandatory BIS certification regime since the 2003 QCO; stakeholders must hold a valid BIS licence, follow the Product Manual testing/marking requirements, and maintain records to avoid enforcement. |
| References / Annexures | Key sources: QCO (S.O. 189(E) — 17 Feb 2003) and amendments S.O. 165(E), S.O. 1172(E), S.O. 512(E), S.O. 2058(E), S.O. 2604(E); PM/IS-12640(P-1)/2 (revised Product Manual); IS entry page (IS 12640 Part 1 : 2024). |
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Notification
Residual current operated circuit breakers for household and similar uses – Part 1 (RCCBs without integral overcurrent protection) are covered under the Electrical Wires, Cables, Appliances and Protection Devices and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2003 issued via S.O. 189(E) on 17 Feb 2003. The Order has been amended by S.O. 165(E) (5 Feb 2004), S.O. 1172(E) (22 Aug 2005), S.O. 512(E) (19 Feb 2009), S.O. 2058(E) (7 Aug 2009) and S.O. 2604(E) (21 Oct 2010). The current applicable Indian Standard is IS 12640 (Part 1) (latest version listed by BIS as IS 12640(Part 1):2024 / IEC 61008-1:2013).
Enforcement Timeline
- Effective from publication (17 Feb 2003)
Overview
RCCBs are residual-current protective devices that automatically disconnect the supply when earth-fault/leakage current exceeds a set threshold, providing protection against electric shock and fire in household and similar installations.
Objective & Scope
Products Covered
Exemptions Provided
The QCO exempts goods meant exclusively for export (proviso to clause 3(1)). In 2010, S.O. 2604(E) amended the proviso by omitting the words “and such specification shall not in any case be less than the Specified Standard”. No other domestic-sale exemptions are specified for RCCBs.
Industries Impacted
Low-voltage switchgear manufacturers; electrical panel/OEM assemblers; importers and distributors of protective devices; residential/commercial real-estate MEP contractors; retailers and e-commerce sellers of electrical goods.
Mandatory Compliance Requirements
Conformity to IS 12640 (Part 1), ISI marking, and a BIS licence under Scheme-I of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 for manufacture/import/sale of RCCBs in India. Products and packaging must bear the Standard Mark and licence details.
Next Steps for Stakeholders
Apply for BIS licence; get type testing done at BIS-recognized labs for the current IS 12640 (Part 1) version; implement in-process/acceptance testing and routine checks; update product labels/markings as per the standard; for imports, ensure the Indian BIS licence covers the exact ratings/types supplied.
Legal Provisions, Enforcement & Penalties
The Order is enforced under the BIS Act, 2016. Contraventions (e.g., manufacture/sale of non-conforming or non-marked goods) attract actions including search/seizure and prosecution. Section 29(3) prescribes penalties up to two years’ imprisonment and fines (with specified minimums and escalation for repeat offences).
Conclusion
BIS certification and ISI marking for RCCBs (IS 12640 Part 1) have been mandatory since 17 Feb 2003 and continue under the amended 2003 QCO. Stakeholders should align designs and test evidence to the latest IS 12640(Part 1):2024 and maintain valid BIS licences to ensure uninterrupted manufacture, import, and sale in India.
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.