QCO 2026 — Notified
BIS Certification for Battery-Operated Air Purifiers under QCO 2026
Battery-operated and DC-supplied air purifiers — including portable personal air purifiers, USB-powered desk air cleaners, and rechargeable travel air purifiers — 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
USB and Low-Voltage Products
Many portable air purifiers are USB-powered or run on low-voltage DC from a power bank. Some importers assume that USB-powered products fall outside the scope of BIS certification. This is incorrect — QCO 2026 explicitly covers DC-supplied appliances including battery-operated variants regardless of their power input method. A USB-powered air purifier drawing DC power from a power bank is within scope. Importers must obtain BIS certification for such products before October 2026.
Market Context
Why This Category Matters
Portable and travel air purifiers are growing imports in India, marketed for use in cars, offices, and during travel. QCO 2026 Item 90 explicitly covers DC-supplied and battery-operated air purifiers. Non-compliance after October 2026 will result in import bans and penalties under the BIS Act, 2016.
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 and DC-supplied air purifiers are explicitly listed under QCO 2026 as Item 90. USB-powered models are not exempt. Importers must obtain BIS certification for all portable and cordless air purifier variants before the applicable implementation date.
Our Services
How Omega QMS Supports BIS Certification for Battery-Operated Air Purifiers
Omega QMS Pvt. Ltd. assists Indian manufacturers, foreign manufacturers, and importers in obtaining BIS certification for DC-supplied and battery-operated air purifiers under the Electrical Appliances QCO 2026.
The QCO Is Notified — Uncertainty Has a Cost
The Electrical Appliances QCO introduces strict requirements for battery-operated air purifiers. 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.