QCO 2026 — Notified
BIS Certification for Battery-Operated Foot Warmers and Heating Mats under QCO 2026
Battery-operated and DC-supplied foot warmers and heating mats — including USB-powered heated insoles, rechargeable electric foot warmers, and cordless heated floor mats — are explicitly listed under the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026 — commonly referred to as QCO 2026. BIS certification is mandatory for all such appliances before they can be sold or imported in India.
Scope
Covered Products
Standard
Applicable Indian Standard
IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 — Household and Similar Electrical Appliances — Safety: Part 1 General Requirements (technically equivalent to IEC 60335-1: 2020).
Compliance Requirements
Key Requirements Under Scheme-I
Critical Note
Flexible Heating Element Safety
Battery-operated foot warmers and heating mats combine flexible heating elements with rechargeable battery packs, creating a dual risk profile — flexible element failure under bending stress and battery thermal runaway under charging fault conditions. BIS testing evaluates both the heating element’s durability under flexing and the battery charging circuit safety. Products designed for budget markets with minimal thermal protection frequently fail both test areas. Pre-testing validation is strongly recommended.
Market Context
Why This Category Matters
USB-powered and battery-operated foot warmers are popular seasonal imports in India, sold through e-commerce channels at low price points during winter months. QCO 2026 Item 89 explicitly covers DC-supplied and battery-operated foot warmers and heating mats. Non-compliant products face import rejection and penalties under the BIS Act, 2016 after October 2026.
Implementation Timeline
Compliance Dates
Exemptions
Key Exemptions
Exemption 01
Export manufacturing
Goods manufactured domestically solely for export are exempt.
Exemption 02
R&D imports
Up to 200 units per year may be imported for R&D without BIS certification, provided they are not sold commercially. Year-wise records must be maintained.
Exemption 03
Existing stock
Declared stock held by a BIS-certified manufacturer (or one who has applied) may be sold for up to six months from the implementation date, subject to a declaration to BIS.
Bottom Line
Conclusion
Battery-operated foot warmers and heating mats are explicitly listed under QCO 2026. Importers must obtain BIS certification for their DC/battery-operated variants and should prioritise pre-testing validation given the dual failure risk profile of these products.
Our Services
How Omega QMS Supports BIS Certification for Battery-Operated Foot Warmers
Omega QMS Pvt. Ltd. assists Indian manufacturers, foreign manufacturers, and importers in obtaining BIS certification for DC-supplied and battery-operated foot warmers and heating mats under the Electrical Appliances QCO 2026.
The QCO Is Notified — Uncertainty Has a Cost
The Electrical Appliances QCO introduces strict requirements for battery-operated foot warmers and heating mats. Companies that have not yet conducted a formal applicability assessment are operating with regulatory uncertainty that carries real commercial and legal risk.
Omega QMS Pvt. Ltd.
📞 +91-11-41413939 (100 Lines)
📍 909, Hemkunt House, Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110008
Contact our regulatory team for a product-level applicability assessment and a clear view of your BIS certification requirements under the Electrical Appliances QCO.