India Mandates BIS Certification for Sale of Imported Used Electronics to Ensure Quality: DGFT
By: Admin
May 23, 2024
Categories: DGFT|News
4 Min Read
The importation of used, repaired, refurbished, and reconditioned electronic products destined for sale in India will now require certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This new regulation, welcomed by the industry, aligns with the government’s recent initiative to curb the import and sale of low-quality products in the country.
According to a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on May 20, the import of second-hand products, whether refurbished, repaired, or reconditioned, listed under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021, is prohibited unless they are registered with BIS and comply with BIS labelling requirements. Previously, only new products from the 63 items listed under this order needed compulsory BIS certification.
Industry insiders noted that many refurbished and reconditioned items, such as laptops, smart speakers, printers, copiers, SLR digital cameras, multi-function devices, video game consoles, earphones, headsets, and security cameras, were being sold in India through offline stores and e-commerce platforms like Amazon. Now, manufacturers or sellers of these imported products will need BIS approval.
The notification also introduced stricter enforcement measures and penalties. Non-BIS compliant goods must either be re-exported by the importer or deformed beyond use and disposed of as scrap by the customs department.
Panasonic India’s chairman remarked that Monday’s amendment to the foreign trade policy is a positive step towards creating a quality-driven ecosystem. These measures, aimed at restricting the import of poor-quality goods (both new and second-hand), will enhance competitiveness and support the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. This will also bolster the supply chain and electronics exports, he added.
He further mentioned that this move would create a level playing field for local manufacturers, better preparing them for global markets and strengthening other sectors reliant on the electronics industry for components.
The CEO of a major consumer electronics company stated that this notification would prevent the sale of lower-quality refurbished and reconditioned products in India, which were primarily imported by certain sellers and distributors, rather than by brands themselves.
Additionally, the notification stated that new LED modules used in lighting and luminaires would undergo random testing in BIS laboratories to ensure they meet specific safety standards. Only those samples that comply with BIS safety norms will be cleared by customs, while those that fail will be either returned or destroyed at the importer’s expense.
Industry executives noted that the Indian market has been inundated with low-quality LED modules, which will now face restrictions under this new regulation.