BIS Certification for Glass Screen Protectors (IS 19348:2025): CRS Registration Guide

Quick Overview

Glass screen protectors, often called tempered glass, screen guards or chemically strengthened glass, are among the highest-volume accessories sold in India. Until now they have been sold without a mandatory Indian quality standard. That is changing: the Government of India has brought smartphone screen protectors under the Compulsory Registration Scheme, so products placed on the market after the effective date must be registered with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

This guide explains the standard, the deadline, who is affected, how the registration process works, what documents to prepare and how overseas manufacturers participate. It is general guidance, and you should verify the details against the official notification and the BIS portal. For other approvals, see our BIS certification services.

Key Facts at a Glance

IS 19348:2025 Standard Overview

IS 19348:2025, titled “Glass Screen Protector — Specification”, is the Indian Standard that sets quality requirements for glass screen protectors fitted over device displays. It is a new standard published by BIS in 2025, and it is the standard named in the CRS entry for screen protectors. Publishing a standard makes it available for testing and certification, but a separate legal step makes conformity compulsory. Here that step is the MeitY notification described below.

Although screen protectors are made of glass, they are regulated as electronics accessories, which is why the compulsory route is CRS under MeitY's order rather than the ISI Mark.

Certification Status and the 1 April 2027 Deadline

MeitY notification S.O. 5190(E), dated 21 September 2026, amended the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. It adds “Screen Protectors for smartphones” at Serial No. 66 of the Schedule, against IS 19348:2025, and provides that the Order applies to these goods from 1 April 2027. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has drawn Customs formations' attention to the entry through Instruction 20/2026-Customs dated 7 October 2026.

The CRS Order and the Issuing Ministry

The Compulsory Registration Scheme is the mechanism through which BIS registration is made compulsory for notified electronics and information technology goods. It operates under the Compulsory Registration Order, 2021, issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) as the notifying ministry and BIS as the registering authority.

Under CRS, a sample is tested at a BIS-recognised laboratory against the relevant Indian Standard. If the product conforms, BIS grants registration with a unique R-Number, and the manufacturer may mark the registered products as the scheme requires. CRS does not follow the factory-licence model of the ISI Mark. The obligation attaches to the manufacturer, whether in India or abroad, and importers may only sell products from a CRS-registered manufacturer.

What IS 19348:2025 Covers

The standard specifies what a compliant glass screen protector must achieve, and products are tested against it at a BIS-recognised laboratory. Broadly, it addresses:

Screen protectors are often supplied with add-on features such as adhesive backing, anti-shatter film, an oleophobic (anti-fingerprint) coating, anti-glare treatment, blue-light filtering or a privacy filter. Where present, these affect how the product is described and tested, so list every variant accurately in your application. The notified entry reads “Screen Protectors for smartphones”, so confirm the position for tablets, smartwatches and other devices against the current gazette text before assuming they are in or out of scope.

Who Needs This Registration

Registration attaches to the manufacturer and manufacturing location, and each model or model series must fall within the scope of the registration.

The CRS Registration Process

CRS is centred on laboratory testing rather than a factory audit, so the sequence is shorter than the ISI Mark route.

Step 1: Map products and group models

Map each screen protector model to IS 19348:2025 and group variants (plain, anti-glare, privacy, blue-light) sensibly where the CRS rules allow, since grouping affects testing scope and cost.

Step 2: Test samples at a BIS-recognised laboratory

Submit representative samples to a BIS-recognised laboratory for testing against the standard. CRS is based on laboratory testing rather than a factory licence audit.

Step 3: Prepare the application

Compile the technical documents, model list, marking artwork and the test report, and register on the BIS CRS portal.

Step 4: File the CRS application

Submit the application and fees on the portal, and respond to any BIS queries promptly.

Step 5: Receive the R-Number and mark the product

Once BIS grants registration, the manufacturer receives an R-Number and may mark the registered products as the scheme requires. Track renewal dates and keep new models inside the registration.

Registration for Foreign Manufacturers

Overseas manufacturers follow the same CRS route, with these practical points:

For a comparable explanation of the AIR role in another regime, see our guide to MTCTE certification for foreign manufacturers.

Documents Required

The exact checklist is set by the BIS CRS portal and the guidelines in force, so confirm it before filing. Applicants typically prepare:

Incomplete or inconsistent documentation is a common cause of delay, so check names, addresses and model details across every document before filing.

Fees and Timelines

There is no single fee. The cost has two parts: BIS registration charges payable through the CRS portal, and laboratory testing charges that depend on the models and variants submitted. Check the current BIS fee schedule, and confirm testing charges with the laboratory, rather than relying on a quoted flat figure.

The timeline depends on laboratory scheduling, the completeness of your file and BIS review, so avoid planning around an unverified number of days. Work backwards from 1 April 2027 and leave room for retesting or queries. Confirm the validity period and renewal terms on the BIS CRS portal.

Enforcement and Preparing Early

After the effective date, supplying unregistered covered screen protectors can attract action under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, and the CBIC instruction shows that Customs formations have been alerted to the entry. Keep the registration current, add new models to the registration before selling them, and make sure your listings, packaging and invoices match the registered details.

How Rego Services Can Help

Rego Services Pvt. Ltd. provides BIS and regulatory compliance support for manufacturers and importers in India. Subject to the confirmed scope of services, our assistance can include:

The exact scope should be confirmed directly with Rego Services, and BIS decides all registrations. To discuss your product range, contact Rego Services, or explore our other BIS certification services. If you also deal with telecom or wireless approvals, compare them in TEC vs BIS vs WPC approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is BIS certification mandatory for glass screen protectors in India?

Not yet, but it is about to be. MeitY notification S.O. 5190(E) dated 21 September 2026 added “Screen Protectors for smartphones” to the Compulsory Registration Order, 2021, against IS 19348:2025, with effect from 1 April 2027. From that date, covered products need valid BIS registration.

2. What is IS 19348:2025?

IS 19348:2025 is the Indian Standard titled “Glass Screen Protector — Specification”. It sets requirements for glass screen protectors, including size, glass strength and surface quality, and it is the standard named in the CRS entry.

3. Which BIS scheme applies to glass screen protectors, CRS or ISI Mark?

The Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), administered by BIS for notified electronics and IT goods under MeitY's order. Registration is based on testing at a BIS-recognised laboratory and results in an R-Number. It is not the ISI Mark route.

4. From when is BIS registration mandatory for screen protectors?

From 1 April 2027. The notification was issued on 21 September 2026, leaving a transition period of more than six months.

5. Does the requirement apply to importers and foreign manufacturers?

Yes. The Order applies to goods manufactured, imported, stored for sale, sold or distributed in India, and overseas manufacturers register through an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR). The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has also alerted Customs formations to the entry through Instruction 20/2026-Customs.

6. Are screen protectors for tablets and smartwatches covered?

The notified entry reads “Screen Protectors for smartphones”. Confirm the scope for tablets, smartwatches or other devices against the current gazette text and the BIS portal before assuming they are in or out.

7. How much does CRS registration for a screen protector cost, and how long does it take?

There is no single figure. Costs include BIS registration fees and laboratory testing charges that depend on the models submitted, so check the current BIS fee schedule. The timeline depends on testing, documentation and BIS review, so avoid planning around an unverified number of days.

8. How long is a CRS registration valid?

CRS registrations have been granted for a fixed validity period and are renewable. Confirm the current validity and renewal terms on the BIS CRS portal.

9. What should a manufacturer or importer do now to be ready by April 2027?

Map each model to IS 19348:2025, arrange sample testing at a BIS-recognised laboratory, prepare the technical documentation, appoint an AIR if you are an overseas manufacturer, and file the CRS application early enough to hold an R-Number before 1 April 2027.

Conclusion

From 1 April 2027, smartphone glass screen protectors sold in India must conform to IS 19348:2025 and hold BIS registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme. Because testing, documentation and BIS processing take time, manufacturers and importers should map their models, arrange laboratory testing and file early. Rego Services can help you prepare within its confirmed service scope.

Official References