On August 11, 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) published implementation guidelines for Amendment No. 1 to IS 16270:2023 India’s standard covering general requirements and test methods for secondary cells and batteries used in solar photovoltaic applications. This amendment must be implemented by December 8, 2025.
Expanded Scope and Technical Updates
The amendment clarifies and broadens the standard’s applicability, explicitly covering all types of secondary cells and batteries used in solar PV off-grid systems. While many changes are editorial, the amendment introduces key technical updates requiring attention from manufacturers and license holders:
Lithium battery discharge current: Now specified as 0.2 It current. Licensees with lithium batteries in their scope must take action to comply.
Applicability of tests in Table 6: Tests are now confirmed to apply specifically to cells, requiring action from licensees dealing with secondary cells.
Minor editorial changes: Typographical corrections and renumbering of clauses have been made but do not require action.
Requirements for Existing Licensees
All existing BIS license holders must comply with the amendment by the December deadline. Compliance involves:
Submitting complete third-party test reports for all lead-acid models included in the scope of the license, tested against IS 16270:2023.
Providing an undertaking confirming that the amendment has been implemented across all other series models within scope.
Failure to complete these actions by the deadline will result in enforcement as per prevailing BIS regulations.
Procedures for New Applicants
For manufacturers seeking new certification:
Applications already under review with submitted samples or issued test reports may proceed under the original version of the standard until December 8, 2025.
New applications submitted before that date may be processed with or without incorporating the amendment, but applicants must commit in writing to implement the amendment by the deadline.
From December 9, 2025 onward, only applications complying with the amendment will be accepted.
Change in Scope of Licence
The same guidelines apply to requests for changes in scope. Applications without the amendment can only be processed until the earlier of either the licensee’s compliance date or the implementation deadline. These implementation guidelines take effect immediately upon release and apply to all existing and future BIS licensees under IS 16270:2023.
For this article’s source information and any product certification guidance, please contact Global Validity.
Quick Country Facts
India
Certification Body: Ministry of IT and Communications, Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing
Certification Type: Mandatory
License Validity: Indefinite
Application Language: English
Legal License Holder: Local Representative
In-Country Testing Requirement: Testing Not Required
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