Smartphone screen protectors need BIS nod from April 2027

The government has mandated compulsory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for smartphone screen protectors, effective April 1, 2027, under standard IS 19348:2025. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued the notification on September 21, bringing screen protectors under the 2021 compulsory registration order. All screen protectors, from cheap unbranded options to premium ones, will have to meet quality requirements for glass strength, optical clarity, adhesives, anti-shatter films, oleophobic coatings, blue-light filtering and privacy features.

The move targets a market of over 500 million units a year, with cheap screen protectors that can break into sharp fragments or fail to protect the phone display. The India Cellular & Electronics Association said the rules will curb sub-standard products and create a level playing field. Domestic manufacturer Optiemus Infracom, which has set up a Noida production unit using Corning technology, expects to start shipments from January 2027 and projects Rs 1,800-2,000 crore revenue from the business this year. The industry body estimates the move could generate 60,000 jobs and Rs 2,000 crore in GST revenue.