BIS CRS Registration is mandatory for all telephone answering machines sold or imported in India. They are notified under the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme, administered under Scheme II of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, and currently governed by IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 — a general safety standard for information technology equipment aligned with IEC 60950-1. BIS has issued implementation guidelines, reported as dated 9 March 2026, introducing IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 as a single unified safety standard to replace both IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 across roughly 38 notified product categories — including telephone answering machines. The concurrent running deadline is widely reported as 01 November 2028. Registration is issued to the manufacturer only, and foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR). Manufacturers and importers should confirm the current notification status and exact deadline directly with BIS or a regulatory consultant, since BIS periodically updates implementation timelines.
Telephone answering machines — devices that automatically record and store voice messages when a call goes unanswered — are a long-established category under India's BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme. For more than a decade, manufacturers and importers have registered these products under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010, the Indian Standard governing the general electrical and mechanical safety of information technology equipment.
That landscape is now changing. BIS has issued implementation guidelines — reported as dated 9 March 2026 — introducing a single, unified safety standard, IS/IEC 62368-1:2023, to replace both IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 across a wide sweep of notified electronics and IT product categories, including telephone answering machines. This guide covers the current registration requirements, what the standard migration means in practice, and the steps manufacturers and importers need to take to stay compliant through and beyond the transition.
📑 Quick Navigation
- Why BIS CRS Registration Is Mandatory for Telephone Answering Machines
- The IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 Migration — What's Changing and When
- Who Must Register — Manufacturers, AIRs, and Importers
- Key Registration Rules
- What Existing Licensees Should Do Before the Deadline
- Rules for New Applicants
- Mandatory Tests for BIS CRS Registration
- The 6-Step BIS CRS Registration Process
- Required Documents Checklist
- Consequences of Non-Compliance
- How Rego Services Supports Your Registration
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why BIS CRS Registration Is Mandatory for Telephone Answering Machines
Telephone answering machines combine mains-connected power electronics, recording and playback circuitry, and — in many models — remote access features that allow messages to be retrieved from another location using a passcode. As mains-powered devices that remain connected and often switched on continuously, they carry real safety considerations: electric shock risk from inadequate insulation, fire risk from overheating components, and electromagnetic interference with other equipment in the same environment.
In recognition of these risks, telephone answering machines were brought under the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), administered under Scheme II of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations — commonly traced to 2013, when BIS expanded CRS coverage across several IT and electronics product categories together. The CRS inclusion made BIS registration a legal prerequisite for the manufacture, import, sale, or distribution of telephone answering machines in India.
Mains-connected telephone answering machines must be tested for insulation resistance, dielectric strength, and protective measures against electric shock — since these devices are typically left connected and powered continuously.
Continuous operation over extended periods means internal components and the enclosure must stay within safe temperature limits, with adequate overheating protection built into the power supply and recording circuitry.
As devices connected to the telephone line as well as mains power, answering machines must be evaluated for electromagnetic compatibility and for safe isolation between the telephone network and mains-powered circuitry.
Recording, playback, and passcode-protected remote access functions are evaluated for reliable operation, since a malfunctioning answering machine can mean missed or lost messages for residential and business users alike.
The IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 Migration — What's Changing and When
BIS has issued implementation guidelines — reported as dated 9 March 2026 — for migration to a single, unified safety standard, IS/IEC 62368-1:2023, under the Compulsory Registration Scheme. This update is reported to replace both of the existing general-purpose safety standards used across India's electronics and IT product categories: IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 (the standard for telephone answering machines and a wide range of other IT and electronic equipment) and IS 616:2017 (the standard for audio, video, and similar electronic apparatus, including amplifiers and speakers).
The last date of concurrent running for the IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 migration is reported as 01 November 2028. Up to that date, telephone answering machine applications may reportedly continue to be processed under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023. Beyond that date, BIS is reported to accept applications only under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023, and existing licensees who have not migrated risk cancellation of their licence or removal of affected models from the registration scope. Given the lead time required for re-testing and documentation, manufacturers should begin planning the transition well in advance rather than waiting for the deadline to approach.
Because BIS has not published a detailed clause-by-clause comparison alongside these implementation guidelines, manufacturers should treat the points above as a conceptual orientation rather than an exhaustive technical gap analysis — a proper transition requires a BIS-recognised laboratory's assessment of each specific lead model against IS/IEC 62368-1:2023.
Who Must Register — Manufacturers, AIRs, and Importers
Indian manufacturers of telephone answering machines must obtain BIS CRS registration directly in their own name before any unit can be sold in India. The registration is tied to the manufacturing location — a separate registration is required for each manufacturing facility.
Foreign manufacturers cannot register under BIS CRS directly. They must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) — a company or individual with a valid business presence in India — who holds the BIS registration on their behalf and bears compliance responsibility in India.
Importers and traders are not eligible to hold BIS CRS registration directly. The registration must be in the name of the manufacturer. An importer may serve as the AIR if formally appointed in writing by the foreign manufacturer.
Each brand or trademark under which a telephone answering machine is sold in India requires a separate BIS registration number, even where the underlying hardware is identical across brands or OEM relationships.
Key Registration Rules
BIS CRS registration for telephone answering machines is issued to the manufacturer only. One BIS registration number can cover multiple models — a lead model and its series models — within the same product category, provided the test report is representative of the full model range and the models are submitted under a single application. Each manufacturing location and each brand or trademark requires a separate registration. Test reports are typically valid for a limited period (commonly cited as around 90 days) before they must be submitted to BIS, so documentation timing matters.
| Registration Dimension | Rule |
|---|---|
| Who holds the registration | Manufacturer only. Importers/traders not eligible unless acting as AIR. |
| Multiple models under one registration | Permitted for a lead model and its series models within the same product category, under a single application. |
| Multiple manufacturing locations | Separate BIS registration required for each manufacturing address. |
| Multiple brands/trademarks | Separate BIS registration number required for each brand or trademark. |
| Test report validity | Commonly cited as approximately 90 days before submission to BIS — plan testing and application timing accordingly. |
| Foreign manufacturer | Must appoint AIR with valid Indian business presence before application submission. |
| Standard Mark on product | BIS logo and unique registration number must be printed on the product and its packaging before sale in India. |
What Existing Licensees Should Do Before the Deadline
Manufacturers who already hold a BIS CRS licence for telephone answering machines under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 face a planning decision: continue under the existing standard for now, or begin the migration to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 ahead of the reported deadline.
- Get lead models tested under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 at a BIS-recognised laboratory
- Submit the updated test reports for all applicable lead models to BIS
- Apply for the relevant standard revision or amendment under the existing BIS licence
- Provide a declaration or undertaking of compliance covering series models in the licence scope
- Track the BIS-confirmed deadline directly, since reported dates can be subject to further notification
- The BIS CRS licence may no longer remain operative beyond the concurrent running deadline
- BIS may initiate cancellation of the licence or removal of affected models from the licence scope
- Products sold under a lapsed or cancelled licence become non-compliant — liable to enforcement, seizure, and customs action
- A fresh BIS CRS application may be required to reinstate registration, adding cost and delay
Rules for New Applicants
New applications can reportedly still be submitted under the existing IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 standard during the transition period, but the applicant is generally expected to provide a declaration of intent to migrate to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 within the transition timeline.
Many regulatory consultants recommend that new applicants test and register directly under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 from the outset — avoiding the cost and delay of retesting closer to the deadline, and ensuring the registration remains valid for the full term without a forced mid-cycle transition.
Beyond the reported concurrent running deadline, BIS is expected to accept new applications only under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023. Applications citing the old standard after this point would not be processed under the prior framework.
Requests to add new lead or series models to an existing licence are generally expected to follow the same provisions as new applications — processing under the old standard permitted only up to the manufacturer's own switchover or the overall deadline, whichever comes first.
Mandatory Tests for BIS CRS Registration
All tests required for BIS CRS registration of telephone answering machines must be conducted at a BIS-recognised third-party testing laboratory, whether under the current IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 standard or the new IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 standard.
Insulation resistance, dielectric strength, leakage current, and protective measures against electric shock — verifying that the device is safe for continuous mains connection and everyday handling.
Recording and playback quality, message storage reliability, and — where applicable — remote access and passcode functionality, confirming the device performs its core communication function as specified.
Temperature rise at critical components and the enclosure under continuous operation, and verification of overheating protection in the power supply circuitry.
Conducted and radiated emissions testing, plus immunity testing, to confirm the device does not interfere with — and is not unduly disrupted by — other electronic equipment in its operating environment.
Enclosure integrity, connector and port durability, and strain relief for power and telephone line cables under everyday handling and installation.
Verification of mandatory markings — rated voltage, rated power, manufacturer's name or trademark, and country of manufacture — plus assessment of the user manual for completeness and appropriate language for Indian users.
The 6-Step BIS CRS Registration Process
Decide whether to register under the current IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 standard or directly under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023, taking the reported 01 November 2028 migration deadline into account — and confirm the current position with BIS or a regulatory consultant before testing begins.
Foreign manufacturers must appoint an AIR with a valid Indian business presence and execute a formal AIR appointment letter before the BIS application can be submitted.
Register the manufacturer (or AIR) on the BIS portal and compile the Declaration of Self-Conformity, Construction/Design Data Form (CDF), Critical Component List (CCL), business licence, and other required documents.
Submit product samples to a BIS-recognised testing laboratory for all mandatory tests under the applicable standard — electrical safety, performance, thermal, EMC, and mechanical safety.
File the complete application on the BIS CRS portal, upload all required documents and test reports, and pay the applicable registration fee. Respond to any BIS deficiency queries within the stipulated timeframe.
Upon approval, receive the CRS registration certificate with a unique registration number. Affix the BIS logo and registration number on every product unit and its packaging before any unit is sold in India.
Required Documents Checklist
- Declaration of Self-Conformity (DSC) — Signed declaration by the manufacturer or AIR confirming the product conforms to the applicable standard and that the manufacturing facility can produce and test conforming units on an ongoing basis.
- Test reports from a BIS-recognised laboratory — Complete test reports confirming compliance with the applicable standard (IS 13252 (Part 1):2010, or IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 once migrated), covering electrical safety, performance, thermal, EMC, and mechanical safety.
- Construction/Design Data Form (CDF) — Detailed form documenting the product's construction, internal components, and circuit design, reviewed by the laboratory alongside the physical samples.
- Critical Component List (CCL) — List of safety-critical components (transformers, fuses, semiconductors, etc.) with their ratings and certification details.
- Business licence of the manufacturer — Government-issued documentary proof of the manufacturer's legal registration, explicitly showing manufacturing in its scope, with an English translation where the original is in another language.
- ISO certificate (where applicable) — ISO 9001 or relevant quality management system certification of the manufacturing facility.
- Brand/trademark certificate — Documentation confirming ownership or authorised use of the brand under which the product is sold in India.
- User manual — Assessed for completeness of safety instructions and appropriate language for Indian users.
- Manufacturing unit address proof — Proof of the name, address, and scope of manufacturing activities at the registered location.
- Authorised signatory details and letter of authority — Identity and authority documentation for the individual signing the application on behalf of the manufacturer or AIR.
- AIR appointment letter (foreign manufacturers only) — Formal appointment of the Authorised Indian Representative, specifying authority and product categories covered.
BIS CRS Registration for Electronic and IT Products in India 2026 — Complete Guide
The IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 migration discussed here is not unique to telephone answering machines — it is reported to affect roughly 38 product categories, including amplifiers, wireless speakers, and electronic video games, all currently governed by IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS 616:2017. For the full picture of how BIS CRS Registration works across electronics and IT product categories, see our complete guide.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Selling, importing, or stocking for sale telephone answering machines without valid BIS CRS registration is a criminal offence under the BIS Act, 2016 — carrying imprisonment of up to two years and fines that can extend to several times the value of non-compliant goods for a first offence.
Existing licensees who do not complete the IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 migration in time face the prospect of BIS-initiated cancellation of their CRS licence, or deletion of affected models from the licence scope — immediately rendering those products non-compliant for sale.
Products arriving at Indian ports without valid BIS registration, or registered under a lapsed licence, are detained by customs authorities and may be seized — representing direct financial loss from demurrage, warehousing, and re-export or destruction costs.
Major Indian e-commerce platforms and retail chains require valid BIS CRS registration as a listing condition. Products without valid registration, or under a registration that has lapsed, are delisted on detection — cutting off access to key sales channels.
How Rego Services Supports Your BIS CRS Registration
Whether you are registering a telephone answering machine for the first time or managing the transition of an existing licence to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023, Rego Services Private Limited provides the regulatory expertise and project management to keep your product compliantly on the Indian market.
- Standard pathway assessment — We confirm whether registering under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or directly under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 is the better path for your timeline and product roadmap, and confirm the current notification status directly where possible.
- Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) services — For foreign manufacturers, Rego Services can act as your AIR, holding the BIS CRS registration on your behalf and bearing regulatory responsibility for compliance in India.
- BIS-recognised laboratory coordination — We identify the appropriate testing laboratory, coordinate sample submission, and review draft test reports before issuance to confirm compliance with the applicable standard.
- Existing licensee transition planning — For manufacturers already holding a BIS CRS licence under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010, we assess your licence scope and plan the testing, documentation, and undertaking submissions needed to migrate to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 ahead of the deadline.
- Documentation compilation and quality review — We prepare and compile the full documentation set — DSC, test reports, CDF, CCL, business licence, trademark certificate, and AIR appointment documents — to BIS's required format.
- BIS portal submission and deficiency management — We file the complete application, pay registration fees, and manage deficiency responses within stipulated timeframes to prevent rejection or avoidable delay.
- Post-registration compliance management — We track renewal deadlines, manage change notifications, and prepare for BIS market surveillance or factory inspections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I register my telephone answering machine under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or wait for IS/IEC 62368-1:2023?
This depends on your timeline. If you need to enter the market quickly and the current standard pathway is faster to complete, registering under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 with a declared intent to migrate is a reasonable approach during the transition period. If your product launch timeline allows it, testing directly under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 avoids the cost and disruption of retesting later and gives your registration a longer runway before any forced transition. A regulatory consultant can help weigh these trade-offs against your specific launch plans.
Does the IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 migration affect other product categories besides telephone answering machines?
Yes. Reported BIS implementation guidelines describe this as a broad migration covering roughly 38 notified electronics and IT product categories — including laptops, mobile phones, televisions, printers, scanners, wireless keyboards, amplifiers, speakers, power banks, and CCTV cameras, among others — all currently certified under either IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS 616:2017. Manufacturers with multiple product lines registered under either of these standards should review their full portfolio against the migration timeline, not just a single product category.
What happens to my existing test reports issued under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010?
Test reports issued under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 are expected to remain valid for registration purposes only up to the concurrent running deadline. Once the migration to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 takes full effect, fresh test reports issued under the new standard will be required for both existing licensees updating their licence and any new applications. Manufacturers should not assume older test reports will carry forward indefinitely.
Can one BIS CRS registration cover multiple telephone answering machine models?
Yes — one BIS registration number can cover a lead model and its series model variants within the same product category, provided the submitted test report is representative of the full model range and the models are filed under the same application. Models that differ significantly in construction or critical components may require separate testing or applications.
✓ Key Takeaways
- BIS CRS registration is mandatory for telephone answering machines in India, currently governed by IS 13252 (Part 1):2010, under Scheme II of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations.
- BIS has issued implementation guidelines — reported as dated 9 March 2026 — introducing IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 as a unified replacement for IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 across roughly 38 product categories.
- The reported concurrent running deadline is 01 November 2028 — manufacturers and importers should confirm the exact date and scope directly with BIS or a regulatory consultant.
- Existing licensees should plan fresh testing under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023, submit updated test reports for lead models, and provide compliance declarations well ahead of the deadline.
- New applicants can register under the current standard during the transition period but should weigh the benefits of testing directly under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 to avoid future retesting.
- Registration is issued to the manufacturer only; foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR).
- Mandatory tests cover electrical safety, performance, thermal management, EMC, mechanical safety, and marking compliance — all at a BIS-recognised laboratory.
- Non-compliance carries imprisonment, fines, licence cancellation, customs detention, and retail delisting under the BIS Act, 2016.
- Rego Services provides end-to-end registration and transition support — including AIR services, laboratory coordination, documentation, portal submission, and post-registration compliance.
Your Next Step
Whether you are registering a telephone answering machine for the first time or managing an existing BIS CRS licence through the IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 transition, the right time to plan is now — testing and documentation timelines do not compress well against a fixed regulatory deadline. Rego Services' regulatory team brings hands-on experience with BIS CRS registrations and standard transitions across India's electronics and IT product categories.
Contact Rego Services today for a clear assessment of your telephone answering machine's current BIS status and the most time-efficient path through the IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 migration.