The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced new guidelines requiring all portable sealed secondary lithium cells and batteries sold in India to undergo rated capacity verification testing to ensure they deliver the capacity claimed by manufacturers. Under the revised framework, these batteries must be tested at a controlled temperature of 20°C to measure their actual discharge performance, clearing doubts over exaggerated or inaccurate capacity labels that have been observed in the market.
For manufacturers who already hold a BIS registration licence, the new rules set specific timelines for compliance. Those with licences valid until April 30, 2027, must submit third‑party test reports from a BIS‑recognised laboratory confirming that the measured capacity aligns with the rated capacity on their products by that date. If a manufacturer’s licence extends beyond April 30, 2027, they must show compliance before their existing licence expires.
The process for compliance involves submitting testing requests through the BIS Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and applying online in the relevant compliance modules. BIS has emphasised that failing to meet these testing and reporting requirements can lead to severe administrative actions, including suspension or cancellation of licences and removal of models from the approved scope of registration.
For new applicants seeking BIS licences, transitional provisions have been defined. If samples have already been submitted to authorised laboratories or test reports are pending, these applications can continue processing without immediately repeating the rated capacity test. However, after April 30, 2027, no licence will be issued unless the application includes test reports that verify rated capacity from a recognised third‑party laboratory.
Companies with pending applications must also provide a written undertaking confirming they will submit the required capacity verification results before their licence’s first validity period ends. Furthermore, any application made to change the scope of an existing licence will be treated with the same compliance requirements as a new application, closing loopholes that might otherwise delay enforcement.
BIS says the updated guidelines aim to protect consumers, promote transparency, and eliminate misleading capacity claims in the lithium battery market. By standardising how capacity is measured and reported, the authority hopes to strengthen confidence in battery products and improve overall product performance accountability in India’s rapidly growing electronics and energy storage sectors.
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