The new rule in one minute
On 21 September 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued notification S.O. 5190(E), adding "Screen Protectors for smartphones" to the Compulsory Registration Order as item 66, against IS 19348:2025 — Glass Screen Protector — Specification.
From 1 April 2027, smartphone glass screen protectors that are manufactured, imported, stored for sale, sold or distributed in India must conform to IS 19348:2025 and carry a valid BIS registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS).
Why this matters to sellers, not just factories
The rule doesn't stop at the factory gate. "Stored for sale", "sold" and "distributed" bring wholesalers, mobile accessory shops, installation counters and e-commerce sellers into scope. After the deadline, a drawer full of unregistered screen guards is a compliance problem — even if you only apply them for customers.
Screen guards are a fast-moving, low-value, high-volume category with many unbranded imports. That combination is exactly where enforcement tends to focus once a deadline passes.
What a compliant screen guard will look like
Registered products carry the BIS Standard Mark with the registration number (in the R-XXXXXXXX format used under CRS), and packaging carries the information the standard requires, such as manufacturer, batch and thickness. The registration is specific to the manufacturer, brand and model.
IS 19348:2025 itself covers the glass (dimensions, thickness, strength and surface quality), optical clarity, and added layers or features such as adhesive, anti-shatter film, oleophobic coating, anti-glare, blue-light and privacy layers.
A checklist for shops and distributors
1. List your sources: which brands and suppliers make up your screen-guard stock, and which of them are unbranded.
2. Ask suppliers now: will their products be BIS-registered under IS 19348:2025 before 1 April 2027? Ask for the registration number as soon as it's granted.
3. Verify, don't trust: check registration numbers on BIS's registered-products search or the BIS Care app, and confirm the brand and model match what you're buying.
4. Plan your buying: from early 2027, avoid building up stock of unregistered products you may not be able to sell after the deadline.
5. Keep records: invoices showing the supplier and registration number protect you if your stock is ever checked.
For online sellers and marketplaces
Marketplaces typically ask sellers to provide BIS registration details for products under compulsory registration, and may delist products without them. If you sell screen guards online, collect your suppliers' registration numbers before the deadline and update listings with them, so you're not delisted in April 2027.
What the rule does not cover (yet)
The notification is worded for smartphones. Glass protectors for laptops, tablets and smartwatches aren't named, and film-type guards (PET or TPU) are a different product from the glass protectors IS 19348 specifies. Products marketed as fitting both phones and other devices need case-by-case review — and the scope may widen later.
If you sell under your own brand
Private-label sellers are in the same position as importers: the registration must be held by the actual manufacturer, with your brand and models covered. Foreign factories register through an Authorised Indian Representative. With testing, application and grant all needed before 1 April 2027, private-label brands should start now.
How TechbyDR Services helps
For brands and importers, we handle IS 19348 testing and CRS registration end to end, including AIR services for foreign factories. For distributors and retailers, we can audit your supplier list and registration numbers so you know exactly what you'll be able to sell after 1 April 2027.
FAQs
What is the new rule for tempered glass in India?
From 1 April 2027, smartphone glass screen protectors must conform to IS 19348:2025 and carry BIS registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme, as notified by MeitY in S.O. 5190(E) on 21 September 2026.
Can shops sell old tempered glass stock after 1 April 2027?
The requirement covers products stored for sale, sold or distributed from that date, so unregistered stock should be cleared before the deadline rather than after it.
How do I check if a screen guard is BIS registered?
Look for the BIS Standard Mark with a registration number, then verify the number on BIS's registered-products search or the BIS Care app and check that the brand and model match.
Does the rule apply to laptop or tablet screen guards?
Not as currently notified — the notification covers screen protectors for smartphones. Products marketed for both phones and other devices need individual review.
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.
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