Technology

BIS Certification for Smartphone Screen Protectors in India from April 2027

BIS certification for smartphone screen protectors will become mandatory in India from 1 April 2027. Learn what the new BIS rules mean for consumers, screen protector quality, prices and purchases.

Smartphone users in India will soon have to pay closer attention to the quality of the screen protector they buy. From 1 April 2027, screen protectors for smartphones will come under the compulsory registration framework for electronics and information technology goods and will have to conform to the Indian Standard IS 19348:2025, titled “Glass Screen Protector — Specification”. The requirement was added through a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notification issued on 21 September 2026.

What Is Changing for Smartphone Screen Protectors?

The new rule adds “Screen Protectors for smartphones” as item number 66 under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. The products are linked to IS 19348:2025, the Indian Standard covering glass screen protectors. The compulsory requirements will apply from 1 April 2027.

This does not mean that smartphone screen protectors are being banned. Instead, manufacturers and importers will have to ensure that covered products comply with the applicable Indian Standard before they can be supplied in the Indian market under the compulsory registration framework. Non-compliant products will therefore face restrictions once the new requirements take effect.

What Is IS 19348:2025?

IS 19348:2025 is the Indian Standard titled “Glass Screen Protector — Specification”. The Bureau of Indian Standards established the standard in July 2025. It sets technical requirements for glass screen protectors, including areas such as dimensions, optical characteristics, surface quality and mechanical strength.

In simple terms, the standard is intended to make the quality of glass screen protectors more consistent. For consumers, this matters because the price of a screen protector does not always tell you how well the product will perform against scratches, impact or everyday use.

Why This Matters to Consumers

A screen protector is a relatively inexpensive accessory, but it is normally purchased to protect one of the most important and costly components of a smartphone: its display. A poor-quality protector may provide limited protection while still giving the impression that the screen is adequately covered.

By bringing smartphone screen protectors under a compulsory quality framework, the government is creating a defined technical benchmark for products sold in India. BIS has stated that IS 19348:2025 addresses factors such as optical clarity, thickness and mechanical durability.

How the New Rules May Affect Everyday Buyers

The most noticeable change for consumers may be the wider availability of products that have undergone the required compliance process. However, the new framework does not guarantee that every compliant screen protector will provide identical performance in every situation. Consumers should still consider compatibility, installation quality and the specific characteristics of the product.

The cost of compliance may also affect the market. Manufacturers and importers may incur additional expenses for testing, registration and meeting the required specifications. Some industry coverage expects these costs to put upward pressure on prices, particularly for very low-cost products, but the government notification itself does not establish a retail price increase or a price ceiling.

This means consumers should not assume that every screen protector will become expensive from April 2027. The actual effect on retail prices will depend on manufacturers, importers, retailers and market competition.

What Consumers Should Check Before Buying

Until the new requirements take effect, consumers will continue to find a wide range of screen protectors through mobile shops, online marketplaces and other sellers. After the rules become applicable, buyers should pay attention to whether the product is covered by the required BIS registration framework and conforms to the applicable standard.

Check the product packaging for the relevant BIS marking and compliance information where applicable.
Make sure the protector is designed for the exact smartphone model.
Check whether the product specifications clearly identify important characteristics rather than relying only on marketing claims such as “9H” or “military grade”.
Buy from a seller that provides clear product and manufacturer information.
Keep the invoice or online purchase record in case there is a product-related dispute.

Will Cheap Screen Protectors Disappear?

Very low-cost and unbranded products could face greater pressure once compulsory compliance begins, particularly if their manufacturers or importers do not complete the required registration process. However, it is too early to conclude that all ₹50 or ₹100 screen protectors will disappear or that their prices will necessarily rise by a particular amount.

The important distinction is between a product being inexpensive and a product being non-compliant. The new framework establishes a quality and registration requirement; it does not prescribe a minimum retail price.

What the April 2027 Deadline Means

The notification specifies 1 April 2027 as the date from which the compulsory registration provisions will apply to smartphone screen protectors. This gives businesses time to prepare for compliance before the requirement becomes effective.

Consumers therefore do not need to replace an existing screen protector simply because of the new rule. The change concerns the regulatory requirements applicable to products covered by the notification. If an existing protector is working properly, there is no stated requirement in the notification for consumers to remove it or replace it on a particular date.

Consumer Perspective

The new BIS requirement makes an ordinary smartphone accessory part of a formal quality-control framework. For consumers, the practical benefit is that screen protectors covered by the rule will have to meet a recognised Indian Standard rather than relying entirely on a manufacturer’s own claims about quality.

At the same time, BIS compliance should not be treated as a guarantee that a phone display can never be damaged. A screen protector is only one part of a smartphone’s physical protection, and its performance can vary according to the design, installation and type of impact involved.

For buyers, the main change from April 2027 will be the ability to make purchasing decisions within a more clearly regulated market. Rather than choosing solely on price or advertising claims, consumers should look for the applicable BIS compliance information and compare the product’s actual specifications and compatibility with their phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will BIS requirements for smartphone screen protectors start?

The compulsory registration requirements for smartphone screen protectors will apply from 1 April 2027.

Which standard will smartphone screen protectors have to meet?

The applicable standard is IS 19348:2025, titled “Glass Screen Protector — Specification”.

Does the new rule mean screen protectors will be banned?

No. The rule introduces compulsory registration and conformity requirements for covered smartphone screen protectors. Products that fall within the framework will have to meet the applicable requirements from 1 April 2027.

Will smartphone screen protectors become more expensive?

Compliance may increase costs for some manufacturers and importers, which could affect retail prices. However, the government notification does not set a specific price increase, so the eventual impact on consumers cannot yet be stated with certainty.

Do consumers need to replace their existing screen protector before April 2027?

There is no requirement in the notification for consumers to replace an existing screen protector on 1 April 2027. The new requirement concerns products covered by the compulsory registration framework and their compliance with the applicable Indian Standard.