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
• Watch the QCO tracker: new orders are added as they are published, before your competitors know about them

The government is adding products to mandatory BIS at an accelerating pace. In 2020, there were about 50 QCOs. By 2026, there are 152 covering 872 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.