The Government of India issued an important notice in the Gazette of India on April 9, 2024. Through such issued notice, this further extended some timelines for implementation of the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021, relating to some specific categories of products placed in the schedule. It has given more time for compliance to manufacturers.

Introduction

The Central Government, under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, of 2016, has been making substantial moves toward regulating electronics and IT products. The regulation is referred to as the "Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021". In the initial order, compulsory requirements were mentioned for electronic products, which comprised CCTV cameras. This order was gazetted in India on April 9, 2024.

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Date for New Implementation

The government has moved the date for implementation in light of such issues. The new date is when the order will come into force. It is April 9, 2025. This extension would require six more months for its implementation.

Reasons for Extension in Timeline

Several factors contributed to the extension of the timelines:

• Stakeholder Discussions: Numerous deliberations with stakeholders made many challenges come to the fore.
• Industry Request: The industry petitioned for additional time to remain within the stipulations.
• Smooth Implementation: The order will be well implemented only if the process is smooth.

Important Provisions of Order

Compulsory Registration is an essential part of the order for certain electronics and IT goods. This is to include:

• High-Tech Requirements: Products should have specific high safety performance levels and quality norms.
• BIS Registration: Manufacturers need to get their products registered with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
• Testing and Certification: Products are to undergo tests whether they would comply with the high-tech requirements or not

Benefits of BIS Registration Compliance

The registration order compliance confers various benefits as follows:

• Consumer Safety: Ensures a product that is safe and there will be no chances of harming the consumers.
• Access to the Market: Allows producers to sell their products in the Indian market.
• Brand Identity: Consumers will trust manufacturers who are compliant and it will add them to the list of good manufacturers with a reputation.
• Standards Adaptation: The adaptation to the changed standards on the products does not come easy.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: Mostly, it requires investment in new technology and facilities that call for significant financial input.
• Timely Compliance: Even within the revised timeline, the compliances have to be ensured timely so that penalties are avoided.

Impact on Manufacturer

This extension has brought much relief to the manufacturers. Now, they can have more time to:

• Upgrade Their Facilities: To be in a position to meet the new standards.
• Conduct Testing: Carry out thorough testing to ensure the products are compliant.
• Get Registration/Certification: Register and get properly certified under BIS as per the registration order without any hurry.

Government and Industry Bodies

The government and industry bodies play a very key role in making compliance happen:

• Support and Guidance: They have provided clear guidelines and support in such a manner that has helped the manufacturers to clearly understand what the requirements are.
• Public Awareness Programmes: Organizing public awareness programs so that the need for compliance is brought to their notice.
• Collaboration: Manufacturers, Industry Associations, and Government Agencies Collaboration.

Measures taken by Manufacturers

The manufacturers have to follow these measures:

• Review the Regulators: Thoroughly review the new regulations so as to know well what the detailed requirements are going to be for each product.
• Invest in Testing: Many investments will be required to be made for thorough testing to ensure compliance with the requirements in terms of the standards required.
• Improvement of Infrastructure: Infrastructure to the manufacturing units will have to be geared up to make sure that they are in line with the regulators.
• Registration of Products: Register the products with BIS and get that certificate.
• Continued Compliance Monitoring: Be aware and monitor compliance, as new regulations keep surfacing.

Conclusion

The extension of timelines for the implementation of the Electronics and IT Goods Registration Order, 2021 is a significant step. This will provide the necessary time for the manufacturers to fall in line with the regulations and, in turn, uphold high standards of quality and safety for electronic and IT goods. Besides supporting the interest of manufacturers, this also stands as a protective gesture for consumers by ensuring that they get safe and reliable products into the market.

Manufacturers have to act proactively with the extended deadlines, and they will benefit further in terms of market access, among other benefits. The Government and Industry Associations should, therefore continue to aid the manufacturers to enable the respective industries to weather this change with an effective and seamless implementation of the order.