New QCOs in May 2026 | IS/IEC 62368 Migration Takes Effect + What Is Coming Next

May 2026 marks a significant milestone in BIS compliance. The long-awaited IS/IEC 62368 migration for Audio/Video and IT Equipment took effect on May 1, replacing the older IS 13252 standard for many product categories. If you manufacture or import AV/IT equipment | including power banks, laptops, televisions, audio systems, and networking gear | your existing CRS registration may need updating to the new standard. This post covers what changed, what is coming next, and how to stay compliant.

IS/IEC 62368 Migration | May 1, 2026

The biggest BIS regulatory change of 2026 took effect on May 1. IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1): 2023 is a hazard-based safety standard that replaces IS 13252 for many AV/IT product categories. The key difference: IS 13252 was prescriptive (specific rules per product), while IS/IEC 62368 is hazard-based (assesses risks based on how energy is transferred). This is the same approach used by IEC 62368 internationally | it is the global standard for AV/IT safety. Products affected include: power banks, laptop/notebook computers, tablets, televisions (LED/LCD), audio amplifiers and systems, networking equipment, set-top boxes, and any product previously registered under IS 13252 that now falls under IS/IEC 62368. If your product was registered under IS 13252 (Part 1), you must verify whether it now requires registration under IS/IEC 62368. BIS provided a transition period | products already registered under IS 13252 may continue to be sold, but new registrations must use IS/IEC 62368. Existing registrations will eventually need migration during renewal.

What Importers and Manufacturers Must Do Now

• Check your existing CRS registration: log into the CRS portal and verify which IS standard your product is registered under
• If registered under IS 13252: check whether your product category has been moved to IS/IEC 62368. The BIS compulsory products list shows the current applicable standard for each category
• New products: all new CRS applications for AV/IT equipment must use IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1): 2023 | IS 13252 applications will be rejected
• Testing: labs are now testing to IS/IEC 62368. If you started testing under IS 13252 before May 1, check with your lab whether the report is still valid or needs updating
• Budget for re-testing: if your product needs to transition, factor in ₹50K-₹1.5L for new testing under IS/IEC 62368

Upcoming QCO Deadlines | July to December 2026

May 2026 is just the start. 31 products are becoming mandatory between now and December 2026. Here is the complete timeline:

July 2026 (3 products)

• Linear Alkyl Benzene (IS 12795:2020) | July 1 | Chemical manufacturing
• Morpholine (IS 12084:2018) | July 1 | Industrial chemicals
• n-Butyl Acrylate (IS 14709:1999) | July 10 | Paints and adhesives

July 2026 (Electronics)

• Digital Television Receiver (IS 18112:2022) | July 26 | DTH set-top boxes

August 2026 (1 product)

• Cotton Bales (IS 12171:2019) | August 27 | Textile industry

October 2026 (18 products | busiest month)

• Hand tools: Pipe Wrenches, Open-Jaw Wrenches, Ring Wrenches, Adjustable Wrenches, Chain Pipe Wrenches, Slugging Wrenches, Combination Pliers (9 products) | October 1
• Aluminium: Wrought Aluminium Utensils, Aluminium Cans for Beverages | October 1
• Electrical: IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 migration | 70+ household appliance categories | October 1
• Textiles: HDPE/PP Woven Sacks for Cement, Laminated Woven Sacks for Mail, PP Woven Valve Sacks | October 6

December 2026 (9 products)

• Wrought Aluminium products: Bars, Rods, Sections, Forging Stock, Plate, Sheet, Strip, Wire, Rivet Stock, Extruded Tube, and Hollow Sections | December 1 | 9 product categories

How to Prepare for the Wave of New QCOs

• Audit your product portfolio now: check every SKU against the upcoming QCO list on bischeck.in. Do not wait until the month before the deadline
• Prioritise by deadline: July products need immediate action, October products should start by July, December products should start by August
• Book lab slots early: as deadlines approach, BIS-recognised labs get fully booked. July and October deadlines will create a rush | secure your lab slot now
• Budget for compliance: certification costs ₹50K-₹5L depending on the scheme. Factor this into your Q3/Q4 2026 budgets
• Subscribe to QCO alerts: get notified the day a new QCO is published | before your competitors know about it

The government is adding products to mandatory BIS at an accelerating pace. In 2020, there were about 50 QCOs. By 2026, there are 187+ covering 870+ products. The trend is clear: more products, more enforcement, more urgency. Use the bischeck.in checker to see if your products are affected. Subscribe to alerts. Do not let a missed QCO deadline become a customs seizure or an Amazon delisting.