Bureau of Indian Standards Issues New Rated Capacity Verification Guidelines For Lithium Batteries, Sets May 2027 Deadline

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued new implementation guidelines to verify the rated capacity of portable sealed secondary lithium cells and batteries. The move follows directions from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which raised concerns about cases of misdeclared battery capacities in the market. Although these products are already regulated under IS 16046 (Part 2), authorities found that some manufacturers were not accurately declaring battery capacity. To address this issue and protect consumer interests, BIS has now made it mandatory to measure and verify rated capacity as per the specific test methods mentioned in Clause 7.3.1 of IS 16047 (Part 3).

Under the revised guidelines, manufacturers who already hold BIS licenses must comply with the new testing requirements based on their license validity. Companies with licenses valid up to April 30, 2027, must meet the updated requirements by that date. For those whose licenses extend beyond April 2027, compliance must be ensured before their existing license expires. Existing license holders are required to submit fresh test reports from third-party laboratories for all “lead models” covered under their approved scope. In addition, they must submit a formal undertaking stating that other models in their scope also comply with the rated capacity standards.

BIS has also specified the process for submitting compliance documents. Manufacturers must generate a test request through the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and apply online under the relevant modules for standard revision or essential requirements. Laboratories have been instructed to use a revised Unified Test Report Format to clearly mention the measured capacity under Clause 4. BIS has warned that failure to meet the specified deadlines could result in serious action, including suspension or cancellation of licenses, or removal of specific models from the approved list.

For new applicants, the guidelines introduce transitional provisions. Applications that are currently under process and have already submitted samples or test reports may proceed without the additional capacity test for the time being. However, these applicants must provide an undertaking confirming that they will submit the required rated capacity test report before the end of the first validity period of their license. BIS has made it clear that from May 1, 2027, no new license will be granted unless the application includes the additional rated capacity test results.

MeitY’s earlier order also highlights that during routine surveillance, any samples picked up from the market must meet the declared capacity limits to maintain registration. The new guidelines, issued by the BIS Registration Department in February 2026, have come into effect immediately. The move is intended to give manufacturers sufficient time to transition to the stricter testing requirements before the final compliance deadline in May 2027, ensuring greater transparency and consumer protection in the battery market.