BIS Guideline for Implementation of Amendment No.1 to IS 16333 (Part 3): 2022

Introduction to the BIS Implementation for IS 16333

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued new guidelines for the implementation of Amendment No. 1 to IS 16333 (Part 3): 2022.

This standard relates to Mobile Phone Handsets - Part 3: Indian Language Support for Mobile Phone Handsets - Specific Requirements.

The amendment introduces additional compliance requirements for manufacturers and applicants registered under the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS).

Key Change You Should Know

1. The most significant change introduced under Amendment No. 1 is related to the instruction manual requirement.
2. Each mobile phone handset must have an instruction manual, which may be:
   1. In printed form, or
   2. In digital mode (such as an online user guide and/or QR code)
3. If provided digitally:
   1. The packaging must clearly provide the provision in order to access the digital manual.
   2. The manual must include required information in addition to what is already specified under IS 16333 (Part 1).
4. This makes user accessibility as well as transparency a mandatory compliance element.

What is the Date of Implementation?

BIS has provided a transition period.

• The standard without Amendment No. 1 will remain valid until 19 September 2025
• After this date, compliance with Amendment No. 1 becomes mandatory.

Now, What To Do? 

All registered manufacturers, as well as new applicants must:

• Update product documentation in order to include compliant instruction manuals.
• Decide whether to provide manuals in printed or digital format.
• Ensure packaging clearly mentions access details if a digital manual is provided.
• Inform BIS about any changes that have been made to the mode of instruction manual.

Failure to comply after 19 September 2025 may result in non-conformity under the CRS scheme.

Brand Liaison assists in reviewing your manuals against IS 16333 requirements, validating digital access compliance (QR/online formats), aligning packaging declarations, as well as ensuring proper intimation to BIS.