India is implementing stringent product safety standards to restrict the import of compact household appliances and electronic lifestyle products from China. This action follows the recent identification of substandard electronic appliances imported from India’s neighbouring country.
The initiative also aims to encourage domestic manufacturers to increase local production capabilities.
Several electrical items including recliners, furniture, whirlpool baths, spas, toilet products, cloth dryers, towel rails, and beauty products - operating on electricity or battery - must now display the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification to demonstrate compliance with enhanced safety requirements.
Industry leaders indicated that the government directive was prompted by BIS's recent inspections, which discovered substandard products in the marketplace, including within major online retailers' storage facilities.
Powering up safety
On May 19, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), operating under the commerce and industry ministry, published a gazette notification titled 'Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2025'.
This order, taking effect from March 19, 2026, includes all electrical appliances for household, commercial, or similar uses, including battery-operated devices, according to an ET report.
Industry experts noted that this quality control directive also encourages domestic manufacturing of these consumer goods and development of a supply chain, comparable to other BIS-regulated items such as footwear, toys and air conditioners. Currently, the majority of small appliances are sourced from abroad.
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A senior official from a prominent electronic manufacturing firm noted that numerous electrical items imported from China did not adhere to Western safety and quality standards. Additionally, these products often deviated from their stated specifications.
"The order will help to weed out all these products from the Indian market," he said.
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