Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances
Sauna Heating Appliances and Infrared Cabins
Strategic Recommendations for Sauna Heating Appliances and Infrared Cabins — 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 sauna heating appliances and infrared cabins 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 | Sauna Heating Appliances and Infrared Cabins |
| 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. |
| Implementation Dates | 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 operational reliability of sauna heating appliances and infrared cabins used in household, commercial, and wellness applications, thereby preventing hazards such as overheating, electric shock, and fire risks. |
| Products Covered | Sauna heaters, infrared sauna cabins, steam-based sauna equipment, electrically heated wellness cabins, and similar appliances intended for body heating and relaxation applications within voltage limits specified under IS 302 (Part 1): 2024. |
| 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 BIS declaration; products covered under other QCOs are excluded. |
| Special Coverage | Covers appliances operating up to 250V (single-phase) and 480V (other appliances), including DC-supplied and battery-operated variants; includes both domestic and commercial wellness equipment. |
| Industries Impacted | Sauna equipment manufacturers, wellness and spa equipment suppliers, fitness and hospitality sector operators, importers, distributors, retailers, and e-commerce platforms dealing in heating and wellness appliances. |
| Mandatory Compliance | Products must conform to IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 and bear the ISI Mark under BIS Scheme-I before manufacture, import, sale, or distribution in India. |
| Next Steps for Stakeholders | Identify applicable sauna and infrared cabin models; 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 are carried out by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under Sections 16, 17, and 25(3) of the BIS Act, 2016, along with BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 (Scheme-I). |
| Penalty for Non-Compliance | Imprisonment up to 2 years under the BIS Act, 2016, Fine starting from ₹2 lakh up to ten times the value of goods, Additional penalties for continued violations and seizure of non-compliant products. |
| Amendment Clause | The latest version of IS 302, including all amendments notified by BIS from time to time, applies automatically from the date of such notification. |
| Conclusion | BIS certification for sauna heating appliances and infrared cabins is mandatory from the notified enforcement dates. Early compliance is essential to ensure uninterrupted market access and avoid regulatory penalties. |
| References/Annexures | Gazette Notification S.O. 1739(E) dated 6 April 2026; BIS Act, 2016; BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018; IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 / IEC 60335-1: 2020. |
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Notification
Sauna Heating Appliances and Infrared Cabins are regulated 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. This Order replaces the earlier 2025 framework and establishes mandatory safety compliance requirements for a wide range of electrical appliances, including wellness and heating equipment such as sauna systems and infrared cabins. The regulation mandates adherence to IS 302 (Part 1): 2024, aligned with IEC 60335-1: 2020 standards.
Overview
The regulatory framework focuses on ensuring the electrical and thermal safety of sauna heating appliances and infrared cabins, which operate under high-temperature conditions and pose inherent risks if not properly designed. IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 specifies essential safety requirements such as insulation, temperature control, resistance to moisture, protection against electric shock, and safe operation under normal and abnormal conditions. The objective is to prevent accidents in both domestic and commercial environments, such as spas, gyms, and wellness centres.
Objective & Scope
The primary objective is to safeguard users from electrical hazards, overheating, and fire risks associated with sauna and infrared heating systems. The scope includes appliances used for personal wellness, relaxation, and therapeutic heating applications across residential and commercial setups. It applies to both AC and DC powered equipment within prescribed voltage limits, ensuring uniform safety compliance across product categories.
Products Covered
The coverage includes sauna heaters, infrared sauna cabins, steam sauna units, and similar electrically operated heating enclosures used for body therapy and relaxation. These products must meet design, construction, and safety requirements specified under IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 to ensure safe usage across varied operating conditions.
Exemptions Provided
Limited exemptions are provided for export-oriented production, R&D imports (up to 200 units annually), and pre-implementation stock subject to declaration and time-bound clearance. Appliances already regulated under other QCOs are excluded to avoid regulatory overlap.
Industries Impacted
The regulation impacts manufacturers of sauna and wellness equipment, importers, spa and hospitality businesses, gym and fitness chains, distributors, and online marketplaces dealing in such appliances. Compliance obligations extend across the entire supply chain.
Mandatory Compliance Requirements
Manufacturers and importers must obtain BIS certification under Scheme-I, ensure testing through BIS-recognised laboratories, comply with factory inspection requirements, and affix the ISI Mark before placing products in the Indian market. Only certified products are permitted for sale and distribution post-enforcement.
Enforcement Timeline
The implementation schedule mandates compliance from 1 October 2026 for general enterprises, 1 January 2027 for small enterprises, and 1 April 2027 for micro enterprises. These phased timelines provide a transition window for manufacturers and importers to align their products with safety standards, complete certification procedures, and manage inventory in accordance with regulatory provisions, including the limited sale of pre-implementation stock.
Next Steps for Stakeholders
Stakeholders should identify covered product categories, initiate BIS certification processes, upgrade manufacturing and safety systems as per IS standards, and plan certification timelines in advance. Early alignment is critical to avoid supply disruptions and ensure regulatory readiness before enforcement deadlines.
Legal Provisions & Penalties
Compliance is enforced by BIS under the BIS Act, 2016. Non-compliance may lead to imprisonment up to two years, monetary penalties starting from ₹2 lakh and extending up to ten times the value of goods, and additional consequences such as seizure of products and prohibition of sale.
Conclusion
BIS certification under IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 is mandatory for sauna heating appliances and infrared cabins from the notified dates. Proactive compliance ensures safety, regulatory approval, 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.