What the new notification actually covers
MeitY's notification of 21 September 2026 adds "Screen Protectors for smartphones" to the compulsory registration order, against IS 19348:2025 (Glass Screen Protector — Specification), with effect from 1 April 2027. The notification is worded specifically for smartphones.
That means the mandatory requirement, as notified, is a smartphone screen-protector rule. It would be wrong to assume that every glass guard for every device became compulsory on the same date.
Where laptop, tablet and smartwatch protectors stand
Tempered glass protectors for laptops, tablets, smartwatches, e-readers and monitors are not named in the current notification. Whether they fall under it depends on the product and how it is marketed — a guard sold as fitting both a phone and a small tablet, for example, needs careful review.
IS 19348:2025 itself is a general specification for glass screen protectors, and government orders frequently expand in scope over time. Manufacturers of non-smartphone guards should treat this as a signal to prepare rather than a reason to wait.
Why testing to IS 19348 is worth doing anyway
Testing your laptop or tablet guards against IS 19348:2025 now gives you evidence of quality that buyers, marketplaces and large retailers increasingly ask for, and it means that if the scope is widened you already have test data and a supplier base that can meet the standard.
For brands that sell both smartphone and non-smartphone guards from the same factory, using one quality baseline across the whole range is also simpler to manage than two.
What about plastic and film protectors?
IS 19348:2025 is a specification for glass screen protectors. Film-type guards made from materials such as PET or TPU are a different product. If your range mixes glass and film products, each needs to be assessed separately against what is actually notified.
How TechbyDR Services helps
We review your screen-protector range product by product, confirm which items fall under the smartphone notification, register those under CRS before the April 2027 deadline, and advise on voluntary testing and readiness for the rest. When the scope of the order changes, we tell you what it means for your specific products.
FAQs
Do laptop screen protectors need BIS certification?
Not under the current notification, which covers screen protectors for smartphones. We recommend confirming your specific product with us, and preparing for a possible expansion of scope.
Do tablet screen protectors need BIS certification?
Tablets are not named in the September 2026 notification. Products marketed for both phones and tablets need case-by-case review.
Can I get my laptop screen protector tested to IS 19348 voluntarily?
Yes. Testing at a recognised laboratory against IS 19348:2025 gives you documented quality evidence now and puts you ahead if the requirement is extended.
This article is general information about BIS/NABL compliance, not legal or regulatory advice. Requirements change — confirm current applicability for your specific product before acting.
Need help with this?
BIS CRS Registration
Complete consultancy for the Compulsory Registration Scheme.