Point of Sale (POS) machines sold in India require up to four mandatory certifications: (1) BIS CRS Registration under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 — mandatory for all POS devices, administered by MeitY; (2) WPC ETA Approval from the Department of Telecommunications — mandatory for POS devices with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, or NFC; (3) TEC Certification under Group A Scheme GCS — mandatory for POS devices with Ethernet, SIM-card, or telecom-network interfaces, issued by the Telecom Engineering Centre; and (4) EPR Registration under EEE code ITEW9 — mandatory for all producers and importers of electronic equipment, administered by the CPCB under MoEFCC. All certifications are mandatory before a POS machine can be legally manufactured, imported, sold, or used in India. Non-compliance is an offence under the BIS Act, 2016, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, and the E-Waste Management Rules.
Point of Sale (POS) terminals are among the most compliance-intensive consumer electronics products in the Indian regulatory landscape. A single modern POS device — a compact unit that accepts card payments, scans barcodes, connects to cloud POS software, and prints receipts — is simultaneously an IT product, a wireless device, a telecom-connected terminal, and a piece of electrical and electronic equipment subject to e-waste management rules. That multi-functional nature means POS machines attract the regulatory attention of three different Indian ministries and require up to four separate mandatory certifications before a single unit can legally be sold in India.
India's POS terminal market is growing at approximately 18–22% CAGR, driven by the RBI's digital payments push, UPI and card payment infrastructure expansion, mandatory POS deployment requirements in hospitality and retail, and the rapid growth of quick-commerce and retail chains across Tier 1–3 cities. Every POS terminal entering this market must be compliant across all applicable certification requirements before it clears Indian customs or is listed on Indian retail or e-commerce channels.
📑 Quick Navigation
- 4 Mandatory Certifications — At a Glance
- 1. BIS CRS Registration for POS Machines — IS 13252 / IS-IEC 62368-1
- 2. WPC ETA Approval for POS Machines — Wireless Interfaces
- 3. TEC Certification for POS Machines — Group A Scheme GCS
- 4. EPR Registration for POS Machines — ITEW9
- Who Can Apply: Manufacturers, Importers, Traders & Online Sellers
- Pursuing All 4 Certifications in Parallel
- Consequences of Non-Compliance
- How Rego Services Manages Your Complete POS Compliance
- Frequently Asked Questions
4 Mandatory Certifications for POS Machines — At a Glance
Before examining each certification in detail, the table below provides a consolidated reference for all four mandatory compliance requirements for Point of Sale (POS) machines in India.
| Certification | Applicable Standard / Scheme | Issuing Authority | Applicable To |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIS CRS Registration | IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 (valid till 1 Nov 2028) / IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 | Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) / MeitY | All POS machines — mandatory without exception |
| WPC ETA Approval | Indian Radio Frequency Regulations | WPC Wing, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) | POS with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, or any wireless module |
| TEC Certification | Group A Scheme GCS | Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC), DoT | POS with Ethernet, SIM-card / GSM / 4G / LTE, or telecom-network interface |
| EPR Registration | E-Waste Management Rules (ITEW9) | Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) / MoEFCC | All producers, importers, and brand owners of POS machines |
BIS CRS Registration is the foundational compliance requirement for all Point of Sale (POS) machines in India — no POS device can be legally manufactured for sale, imported, or distributed in India without a valid BIS registration number. POS terminals are notified as Electronics and IT Goods under the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) and must comply with safety requirements that protect users from electrical, thermal, and electromagnetic hazards.
Applicable Standards for BIS CRS Registration of POS Machines
Aligned with IEC 60950-1. Specifies safety requirements for information technology equipment — including POS terminals — covering electrical safety, insulation, thermal limits, and mechanical construction. Valid for BIS CRS registration purposes until 1 November 2028.
Aligned with IEC 62368-1 (3rd Edition). A hazard-based safety engineering (HBSE) framework that covers audio, video, IT, and communication technology equipment under a single unified standard. Now accepted for BIS CRS registration of POS machines and replaces IS 13252 after November 2028.
Documents Required for BIS CRS Registration — POS Machines
- PCB layout — Complete printed circuit board layout for the POS terminal's main processing board and any subsidiary boards, supporting BIS's technical review of the device's construction.
- Schematic diagram — Full electrical schematic of the POS machine — power supply section, main processor circuit, interface circuitry — fully consistent with the Critical Component List and the laboratory test report.
- Critical Component List (CCL) — A comprehensive listing of all safety-critical components — capacitors, transformers, switching devices, display units, power management ICs — with manufacturer names, model numbers, and ratings.
- User manual / installation guide — End-user manual covering rated input specifications, safe use guidance, and mandatory safety warnings required under IS 13252 / IS/IEC 62368-1.
- BIS-approved laboratory test report — The complete test report from a BIS-recognised laboratory confirming compliance with the applicable IS standard — the most critically reviewed document in the BIS application.
- Factory / manufacturing facility address proof — Official documentation confirming the legal registration and operating status of the manufacturing facility.
- ISO 9001 certificate — The manufacturer's current quality management system certificate.
- Trademark registration copy and authorisation letter — Copy of registered trademark and authorisation from trademark owner to use the brand on POS products in India.
- AIR appointment letter and company registration (foreign manufacturers) — Formal appointment of the Authorised Indian Representative, with AIR entity registration documents and authorised signatory photo ID.
BIS CRS Registration Process — POS Machines
Compile all required technical and facility documents. Foreign manufacturers must formally appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) before the BIS application begins — the AIR manages all India-side regulatory interactions on the manufacturer's behalf.
Submit representative POS machine samples to a BIS-recognised laboratory for testing against IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS/IEC 62368-1:2023. Register on the BIS CRS portal (crsbis.in) and generate a test request number before submitting samples to the lab.
Submit the complete BIS CRS registration application on the BIS portal with all supporting documents and the BIS-lab test report. Pay the applicable government fees and track portal status through the review process.
BIS technical officers review the application, test reports, and supporting documents. They may raise clarification queries on CCL, schematic, or test report details — prompt and accurate responses are critical to timeline. Upon successful review, BIS issues the CRS Registration Certificate.
Virtually every modern POS terminal incorporates wireless connectivity — Wi-Fi for cloud synchronisation, Bluetooth for peripheral pairing, NFC for contactless card payments, or RFID for loyalty programme integration. Any POS device with a wireless radio frequency interface requires WPC ETA (Equipment Type Approval) from the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing of the Department of Telecommunications before it can be imported, sold, or used in India. Operating wireless equipment without WPC ETA is an offence under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933.
Documents Required for WPC ETA Approval — POS Machines
- RF test report from an ILAC-accredited foreign lab or NABL-accredited Indian lab — Testing to applicable RF standards covering output power, frequency accuracy, spurious emissions, and modulation — for each wireless interface (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, RFID) present in the POS device.
- Product technical details — Detailed technical specification of the POS machine, including all wireless modules, frequency bands used, maximum output power levels, antenna types and gains, and device form factor.
- Manufacturing details — Details of the manufacturer and manufacturing facility, including country of manufacture and production scale.
- Declaration by the manufacturer — For importers applying on behalf of a foreign manufacturer, a formal declaration from the manufacturer confirming product specifications and authorising the Indian representative to apply for WPC ETA.
WPC ETA Approval Process — POS Machines
Identify every wireless radio frequency technology present in the POS device. Compile manufacturer declarations, product technical specifications, and RF test reports from an ILAC-accredited or NABL-accredited laboratory for each wireless module.
Submit POS machine samples to an ILAC-accredited or NABL-accredited laboratory for RF testing covering all wireless interfaces. Existing RF test reports from internationally recognised laboratories may be accepted, reducing Indian testing requirements — confirm acceptability with Rego Services before testing.
Submit the complete WPC ETA application via the DoT e-services portal with all required RF test reports and technical documents. Pay the applicable fees and track application status through the review process.
The WPC Wing reviews the submitted application and RF test reports. Upon successful review, WPC issues the ETA licence, which must be marked on the POS device and referenced in import and customs documentation for clearance.
POS machines with Ethernet network ports, SIM card slots for 4G/LTE mobile data connectivity, or other telecom-network interfaces require TEC Certification from the Telecom Engineering Centre under Group A Scheme GCS. TEC certification verifies that the POS device meets the technical, safety, and EMI/EMC standards set by the Department of Telecommunications for equipment connected to India's telecom network infrastructure. Without TEC approval, such POS devices cannot legally be sold or used in India.
Documents Required for TEC Certification — POS Machines
- Trademark / Brand Registration Certificate — Registered trademark for the brand name under which the POS machine is marketed in India.
- Factory address proof — Official documentation confirming the legal registration and address of the manufacturing facility.
- Laboratory test reports — Test reports from a TEC-approved laboratory covering the applicable technical standards for the POS device's telecom interface — EMI/EMC, electrical safety, and interface performance parameters.
- Technical details and user manual — Detailed product technical specifications covering all network and telecom interfaces, connectivity standards, antenna specifications, and network compatibility — along with the complete user manual.
- AIR appointment (foreign manufacturers) — Formal appointment of an Authorised Indian Representative for foreign manufacturers without a licensed Indian entity, as required by TEC's application procedures.
TEC Certification Process — POS Machines
Compile all required technical documents, facility records, and trademark certificates. Foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative — who may be the same AIR as appointed for the BIS CRS application — before the TEC application can be filed.
Submit POS machine samples to a TEC-approved laboratory for testing against Group A Scheme GCS requirements covering the device's telecom interface. Existing international test reports may reduce the scope of Indian testing — confirm with Rego Services before committing samples.
Submit the complete TEC certification application via the MTCTE portal with all required technical documents and laboratory test reports. Pay the applicable fees and track application status.
TEC reviews the submitted application, test reports, and technical documents. Upon successful review, TEC issues the certification, which must be displayed on the product and referenced in import and sales documentation. The POS device must be labelled with TEC certification before entering the market.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Registration from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is mandatory for all producers, importers, and brand owners of Point of Sale (POS) machines under India's E-Waste Management Rules. POS machines are classified under EEE code ITEW9 and must be registered before any units are manufactured for sale or imported into India. EPR registration obligates producers to meet annual e-waste collection and recycling targets — ensuring that POS terminals are responsibly recovered and processed at end of life.
Documents Required for EPR Registration — POS Machines (ITEW9)
- Basic company / firm documents — Certificate of Incorporation, GST registration certificate, PAN card, and authorised signatory identity documents for the entity seeking EPR registration.
- Authorised signatory details — Name, designation, and contact details of the person authorised to sign EPR-related documents and annual returns on behalf of the organisation.
- Product details and specifications — Product name, EEE code (ITEW9 for POS machines), description, approximate weight per unit, and estimated annual sales volumes in India.
- Collection and recycling plan / flowchart — A documented plan for collecting POS machines from end-users at end-of-life, and the authorised recycling or refurbishing channels through which collected equipment will be processed — demonstrating how the entity will meet its EPR targets.
- CTE/CTO consents and agreement copies — Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate documents from the recycling partner, along with copies of the collection and recycling agreements between the producer and the authorised recycler/refurbisher.
EPR Registration Process — POS Machines
Compile all company, signatory, and product documents. Identify and contract with CPCB-authorised e-waste recyclers or refurbishers for the end-of-life collection and processing of POS machines — this is a prerequisite for the EPR registration application.
Submit the complete EPR registration application on the CPCB EPR portal with all required company documents, product information, and collection and recycling plans. Pay the applicable fees.
The CPCB reviews the submitted application and verifies the completeness of the proposed collection and recycling plan, the authorisation status of the named recycling partners, and the applicant's compliance with EPR obligations. CPCB may raise clarification queries during this phase.
Upon successful review, CPCB issues the EPR Registration Certificate — authorising the entity to manufacture, import, and sell POS machines in India subject to ongoing e-waste collection and recycling obligations and annual return filings.
Who Can Apply: Certification Eligibility by Stakeholder Type
Understanding who can apply for each certification — and who cannot — is critical to planning your compliance strategy for POS machines in India. The eligibility rules differ between BIS CRS, WPC ETA, TEC, and EPR.
- Can apply directly for BIS CRS, WPC ETA, and TEC through BIS portal, DoT portal, and MTCTE respectively
- Must obtain EPR Registration before manufacturing begins
- Indian manufacturers apply directly; foreign manufacturers must appoint an AIR for BIS and TEC
- BIS registration is always issued in the manufacturer's name
- Cannot hold BIS CRS, WPC ETA, or TEC in their own name — these belong to the manufacturer
- Can act as the manufacturer's AIR for BIS and TEC if formally authorised by the manufacturer
- Must obtain their own EPR Registration before importing POS machines
- Must hold copies of all applicable certificates for customs clearance
- Cannot apply for BIS CRS, WPC ETA, or TEC directly
- Must obtain manufacturer's certificate copies and maintain them for compliance
- Can act as AIR if formally authorised by the manufacturer
- EPR obligation depends on whether the trader qualifies as a "producer" under E-Waste Rules
- Cannot apply for BIS CRS, WPC ETA, or TEC directly
- Must obtain and retain copies of all applicable certificates from the manufacturer
- E-commerce platforms require valid BIS, WPC, and TEC certificate numbers as mandatory listing conditions
- Brand owners selling under their own label may need to coordinate EPR registration separately
Pursuing All 4 Certifications in Parallel — Timeline Strategy
For most POS machines, the compliance journey involves all four certifications simultaneously. Pursuing them sequentially — completing BIS first, then WPC, then TEC, then EPR — adds months to your India market entry timeline. Rego Services designs and manages a parallel-track approach that minimises total combined timeline.
The BIS registration timeline is dominated by laboratory testing (3–5 weeks) and BIS portal review (2–4 weeks). Laboratory slot availability is the primary variable — early booking with a BIS-recognised lab is the single most effective way to accelerate this process.
RF testing (2–4 weeks at an ILAC or NABL lab) plus WPC portal review (2–4 weeks). Existing ILAC-accredited RF test reports can significantly reduce the Indian testing portion. This is the most straightforward of the four certifications to coordinate in parallel.
TEC certification is typically the longest-lead certification for POS machines — TEC lab testing (4–6 weeks) plus TEC portal review and any clarification rounds (4–8 weeks). Starting TEC at the same time as BIS and WPC is critical to avoiding TEC becoming the bottleneck.
EPR Registration does not involve laboratory testing — it is primarily a documentation and portal process. The key dependencies are identifying and contracting with a CPCB-authorised recycler and preparing the collection and recycling plan. Rego Services supports both the documentation and the recycler identification.
Consequences of Non-Compliance for POS Machines
Selling, importing, or distributing POS machines without all applicable certifications carries serious commercial and legal consequences — across all four regulatory frameworks simultaneously.
POS machine consignments without valid BIS registration numbers are detained at Indian ports. Increasingly, customs also checks for WPC ETA and TEC certification for notified product categories. Detained shipments incur demurrage, disrupt supply to retail and hospitality customers, and cannot be released without valid registration — creating pressure to rush a process that cannot be rushed.
BIS, WPC, and TEC enforcement authorities can seize non-compliant POS machines in the supply chain. Under the BIS Act, 2016, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, and the E-Waste Management Rules, offences carry monetary penalties and — in repeat or wilful cases — criminal prosecution of responsible officers.
Amazon India, Flipkart, and other major e-commerce platforms require valid BIS registration and WPC ETA as mandatory listing conditions for POS machines. Products found without valid certificates are immediately delisted — cutting off access to India's largest online retail channels without notice.
Banks, payment networks, retail chains, and government procurement programmes in India require all applicable certifications as mandatory tender conditions for POS terminal supply. Non-compliant POS devices are disqualified from these procurement channels — which represent the largest volume demand segments in India's POS market.
How Rego Services Manages Your Complete POS Compliance Journey
Rego Services Private Limited manages all four mandatory certifications for Point of Sale (POS) machines in India — BIS CRS, WPC ETA, TEC, and EPR — from a single point of contact, ensuring that the certification tracks are initiated, coordinated, and completed in parallel to deliver the fastest possible India market entry timeline.
- Full compliance scope assessment — We analyse your specific POS device's interface configuration — wireless modules, network interfaces, telecom connectivity — and determine exactly which of the four certifications apply, avoiding investment in certifications you don't need and identifying requirements you may have missed.
- Parallel-track certification management — We initiate and manage BIS CRS, WPC ETA, TEC, and EPR simultaneously, using a shared document preparation workflow that minimises duplication and maximises momentum across all four tracks.
- AIR services for foreign manufacturers — We provide or coordinate Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) services for overseas POS manufacturers — satisfying BIS and TEC requirements for a designated India-based regulatory representative, under a single AIR appointment that covers all applicable certifications.
- BIS laboratory coordination — We coordinate sample submission and testing with BIS-approved laboratories, managing turnaround, progress tracking, and consistency between the CCL, schematic, and test report — the three documents most frequently flagged in BIS scrutiny.
- WPC RF testing coordination — We coordinate RF testing at ILAC-accredited or NABL-accredited laboratories covering all wireless interfaces in the POS device, and assess whether existing international RF test reports can reduce or eliminate additional Indian RF testing.
- TEC laboratory and portal management — We manage TEC laboratory testing coordination, MTCTE portal application submission, and TEC scrutiny query responses — the most complex and longest-lead certification track for POS machines.
- EPR registration and recycler coordination — We manage the complete CPCB EPR registration process, including identification and engagement of CPCB-authorised recycling partners, preparation of the collection and recycling plan, and portal application submission and follow-through.
- Documentation preparation and cross-certification consistency — We prepare and review the complete documentation set for all four certifications, ensuring full consistency across applications and eliminating the risk of certification delays caused by document mismatches.
- Post-certification compliance support — We manage BIS registration renewals, EPR annual return filings, and any re-certification requirements for product variants or new models — ensuring continuous, uninterrupted compliance across your POS product portfolio in India.
BIS CRS Registration for Power Adaptors for IT Equipment India 2026 — Complete Guide
If your POS machine is supplied with an external AC-DC power adaptor, that adaptor requires its own separate BIS CRS Registration under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 / IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 as an independent product. See our companion guide to BIS CRS Registration for Power Adaptors for IT Equipment for the complete document checklist, tests, and 7-step process for IT power adaptor registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a POS machine be sold in India with only a BIS CRS registration and no WPC ETA or TEC?
It depends entirely on the POS machine's interface configuration. A POS device with purely wired connectivity — no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, RFID, no Ethernet, no SIM card — would theoretically require only BIS CRS Registration. However, in practice, this describes a very small minority of modern POS terminals. Almost all POS machines currently sold include at least one wireless interface (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) and at least one network interface (Ethernet or SIM-based mobile data), making WPC ETA and TEC certification near-universal requirements. Rego Services assesses your specific POS device's interface configuration to provide a definitive certification scope before any applications are filed.
Does each wireless band in a POS machine need a separate WPC ETA?
In most cases, the WPC ETA is issued per product model and covers all the wireless frequency bands present in that product — both Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth (2.4 GHz) can typically be covered under a single ETA application for the POS device, with the RF test reports covering all applicable frequency bands. Rego Services confirms the precise WPC ETA application structure for your specific POS model's wireless configuration before the application is filed.
Is EPR registration a one-time process or must it be renewed?
EPR Registration itself is not renewed on a fixed annual cycle in the way BIS certificates are renewed — however, producers and importers of POS machines must file annual returns with the CPCB, reporting the quantity of POS machines sold in the previous year and the quantity of e-waste collected and recycled through authorised channels. Annual returns are a mandatory ongoing obligation, and failure to file or to meet collection and recycling targets carries penalties. Rego Services provides ongoing EPR compliance support, including annual return preparation and filing.
How many POS machine models can be covered under a single BIS CRS registration?
Multiple POS machine models that share a sufficiently similar circuit design and construction can often be grouped as lead and series models under a single BIS registration number. The acceptability of a specific model grouping depends on how BIS evaluates the technical similarity of the models. Rego Services advises on the optimal model grouping strategy before laboratory testing begins — ensuring that the proposed grouping will be accepted by BIS and that testing costs and registration timelines are minimised across your POS product portfolio.
✓ Key Takeaways
- Point of Sale (POS) machines require up to 4 mandatory certifications in India — BIS CRS Registration, WPC ETA Approval, TEC Certification, and EPR Registration — depending on the device's wireless and network interface configuration
- BIS CRS Registration under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 is mandatory for ALL POS machines without exception — no POS device can be legally imported or sold in India without it
- WPC ETA Approval is mandatory for POS machines with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, or any other wireless radio frequency interface — which describes virtually every modern POS terminal
- TEC Certification under Group A Scheme GCS is mandatory for POS machines with Ethernet ports, SIM card / 4G / LTE connectivity, or other telecom-network interfaces
- EPR Registration (ITEW9) is mandatory for all producers, importers, and brand owners of POS machines — as an entity-level obligation, not a product-model obligation — with annual return filings required
- Three Indian ministries regulate POS machines: MeitY (BIS CRS), Ministry of Communications (WPC ETA and TEC), and MoEFCC via CPCB (EPR)
- BIS CRS registration belongs to the manufacturer — importers and traders cannot hold it directly, but can act as AIR if formally authorised
- Pursuing all 4 certifications in parallel compresses the total compliance timeline to 8–14 weeks — sequential pursuit can add months and delay India market entry significantly
- Non-compliance carries customs detention, seizure, monetary penalties, e-commerce delisting, and disqualification from bank and government POS procurement — with active market surveillance across all four regulatory frameworks
Your Next Step
India's POS terminal market is one of the fastest-growing in Asia — but accessing it requires navigating four distinct regulatory frameworks administered by three different ministries, each with its own standards, testing requirements, documentation, and timelines. The complexity is real, but with the right regulatory partner coordinating all four tracks simultaneously, the path from product to compliant India market entry is defined, manageable, and fast.
Rego Services manages the complete BIS CRS, WPC ETA, TEC, and EPR compliance journey for POS machine manufacturers and importers — from compliance scope assessment and AIR appointment through laboratory coordination, documentation preparation, portal submissions, scrutiny responses, and certificate issuance across all four certifications.
Contact Rego Services today to begin your complete POS compliance journey for India and accelerate your entry into one of the world's fastest-growing digital payments markets.