TEC (NCCS)
Exciting Update for Cloud-Based Networking Solutions
National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) has recently announced that Cloud-implemented IP Routers (Cloud-capable, Cloud-controlled, Cloud-native, Cloud-managed) and Wi-Fi CPEs (Cloud-hosted and Cloud-managed) will be exempt from Security Certification (ComSec) requirements until May 31st, 2025.
This exemption opens new doors for innovation and deployment, allowing companies to focus on enhancing their cloud-driven network solutions without the immediate need for certification.
- Key Date: May 31st, 2025
- Applies to Cloud-enabled IP Routers & Wi-Fi CPEs
The official notification can be accessed from here: official notification
For any queries, please write to us at tec@vincular.in
Important Update on ONT and OLT Security Certification
The National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) has stated that Optical Network Terminal (ONT) and Optical Line Terminal (OLT) products will stay under the Voluntary Security Certification (VSC) regime until March 31, 2025. During this time, no administrative or security test fees will be charged.
- Mandatory Certification Starting 1st April 2025: After 31st March 2025, these products will require mandatory certification for compliance with ITSAR under the ComSec scheme.
- How to Apply: Interested Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), importers, dealers, and users can apply for the Voluntary Security Certification through the official online portal: https://www.mtcte.tec.gov.in
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to ensure your products meet the latest security standards.
The official notification can be accessed here: official notification
For any queries, please write to us at tec@vincular.in
WPC
Migration of manually issued frequency assignments to the Saral Sanchar Portal
After the launch of the migration activity of frequency assignments on the SARAL Sanchar portal, it has come to the attention that several frequency assignments have not yet been migrated. So, WPC released a notification to address this and the following update on the continuing migration activities:
- The migration of frequency assignments issued before the launch of the SARAL Sanchar portal has been ongoing through the “migration module” on the portal.
- Going forward, all renewals and amendments to frequency assignments will be processed exclusively through the SARAL Sanchar portal.
- All the users who have frequency assignments issued before the launch of the SARAL Sanchar portal must apply for migration by March 31, 2025, without further delay.
Official notification can be accessed from here: official notification
ISI
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)/ Polypropylene (PP) Woven Sacks for Packaging of 50 kg Cement (Quality Control) Amendment Order
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has introduced the Textiles — High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)/ Polypropylene (PP) Woven Sacks for Packaging of 50 kg Cement (Quality Control) Third Amendment Order, 2024, which shall come into force on the 6th June 2025. The enforcement date has been revised from 6th December 2024 to 6th June 2025.
This order requires that Textiles — High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)/ Polypropylene (PP) Woven Sacks for Packaging of 50 kg Cement must comply with its respective Indian Standard IS 11652: 2017. The products must display the Standard Mark under a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards, by Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Access the official notification from here: official notification
Polypropylene (PP) Woven, Laminated, Block Bottom Valve Sacks for Packaging of 50 kg Cement (Quality Control) Amendment Order
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has introduced the Textiles — Polypropylene (PP) Woven, Laminated, Block Bottom Valve Sacks for Packaging of 50 kg Cement (Quality Control) Third Amendment Order, 2024, which shall come into force on the 6th June 2025. The enforcement date has been revised from 6th December 2024 to 6th June 2025.
This order requires that Textiles — Polypropylene (PP) Woven, Laminated, Block Bottom Valve Sacks for Packaging of 50 kg Cement must comply with its respective Indian Standard IS 16709: 2017. The products must display the Standard Mark under a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards, by Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Access the official notification from here: official notification
Polypropylene (PP)/High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Laminated Woven Sacks for Mail Sorting, Storage, Transport and Distribution (Quality Control) Amendment Order
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has introduced the Textiles — Polypropylene (PP)/High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Laminated Woven Sacks for Mail Sorting, Storage, Transport and Distribution (Quality Control) Third Amendment Order, 2024, which shall come into force on the 6th June 2025. The enforcement date has been revised from 6th December 2024 to 6th June 2025.
This order requires that Textiles — Polypropylene (PP)/High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Laminated Woven Sacks for Mail Sorting, Storage, Transport and Distribution must comply with its respective Indian Standard IS 17399: 2020. The products must display the Standard Mark under a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards, by Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Access the official notification from here: official notification
Laboratory Glassware (Quality Control) Amendment Order
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has introduced the Laboratory Glassware (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2024, which came into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette i.e. 10th December 2024.
This order requires that Laboratory Glassware must comply with their respective Indian Standards. The products must display the Standard Mark under a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards, by Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
The Laboratory Glassware (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2024 provides two key exemptions:
- Domestic MSMEs: Enterprises registered on the Udyam portal, with investments in equipment up to ₹25 lakhs and annual turnover up to ₹2 crores (as certified by a CA), are exempt for two years from the start of the Order.
- R&D Imports: Manufacturers of laboratory glassware can import up to 200 items per year for research and development, as long as these items are not sold but disposed of as scrap. They must also keep records and report to the government.
Access the official notification from here: official notification
Polypropylene (PP) Materials for Moulding and Extrusion (Quality Control) Amendment Order
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has introduced the Polypropylene (PP) Materials for Moulding and Extrusion (Quality Control) Third Amendment Order, 2024, which shall come into force on the 24th of June 2025. The enforcement date has been revised from 24th December 2024 to 24th June 2025.
This order requires that Polypropylene (PP) Materials for Moulding and Extrusion must comply with its respective Indian Standard IS 10951: 2020. The products must display the Standard Mark under a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards, by Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Access the official notification from here: official notification
Toluene (Quality Control) Amendment Order
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has introduced the Toluene (Quality Control) First Amendment Order, 2024, which shall come into force on the 22nd of December 2025. The enforcement date has been revised from 22nd December 2024 to 22nd December 2025.
This order requires that Toluene must comply with its respective Indian Standard IS 537:2011. The products must display the Standard Mark under a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards, by Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Access the official notification from here: official notification
Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Homopolymers (Quality Control) Amendment Order
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has introduced the Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Homopolymers (Quality Control) Order Third Amendment Order, 2024, which shall come into force on the 24th of June 2025. The enforcement date has been revised from 24th December 2024 to 24th June 2025.
This order requires that Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Homopolymers must comply with their respective Indian Standard IS 17658:2021. The products must display the Standard Mark under a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards, by Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Access the official notification from here: official notification
Waste Management
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Rules for Packaging Paper, Glass, Metals and Sanitary Products
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 6th December 2024 proposed Draft Rules for Environment Protection (Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging made from paper, glass, and metal as well as sanitary products) Rules 2024, under the Environment (Protection) Act,1986.
Key Highlights:
- The regulation will come into effect from 1sy April 2026. Producers, Importers, Brand Owners (PIBOs) & Waste Processors are covered under the EPR obligations and will be responsible for environmentally sound management, reuse & recycling of packaging.
- The focus area for introducing this draft is to promote a circular economy through reuse, recovery and recycling thereby creating new opportunities for economic activities, green jobs and innovations within recycling and waste management sectors.
- This notification also indicates the Targets for Extended Producer Responsibility and Obligations of PIBOs. The EPR targets for the PIBOs shall be determined packaging material-wise.
- These rules emphasize paper, glass and metal packaging except non-ferrous metal-based packaging.
- Centralized registration and reporting portal for stakeholders to ensure compliance, also the public and stakeholders are invited to provide suggestions and objections within 60 days of this draft’s publication.
Refer to the official notification for more information: ERP Rules for Packaging
DGFT
Quantitative Restrictions on Low Ash Metallurgical Coke Imports
The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has imposed quantitative restrictions on the import of Low Ash Metallurgical Coke to protect domestic producers and support the Indian metallurgical industry. Effective from January 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025, country-wise import quotas will be enforced, and imports will require prior authorization from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The import process will be monitored quarterly, with provisions to carry over unused quotas to the next quarter. Additionally, the government retains the right to review and modify these measures as needed. This policy aims to safeguard the interests of the domestic metallurgical sector while maintaining a balanced approach to imports
Official notification can be accessed from here: official notification
Import Period Extension for Yellow Peas
The Ministry of Commerce & Industry in India has issued a notification extending the import period for Yellow Peas under ITC(HS) Code 07131010. The extension is for two months, until February 28, 2025. This notification amends earlier notifications that had established the import scheme.
The import of Yellow Peas under ITC(HS) Code 07131010 will continue to be “Free” without the Minimum Import Price (MIP) condition and Port Restriction, subject to registration under the online Import Monitoring System. This applies to all import consignments where the Bill of Lading (Shipped on Board) is issued on or before February 28, 2025.
Official notification can be accessed from here: official notification
Amendment in Import Policy for ITC HS Codes 85423100, 85423200, 85423300, and 85423900
The notification, issued by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, amends the import policy for Electronic Integrated Circuits and Parts under ITC HS Codes 85423100, 85423200, 85423300, and 85423900. Previously, these items were subject to a condition requiring compulsory registration under the Chip Imports Monitoring System (CHIMS).
The amendment discontinues the CHIMS registration requirement with immediate effect, while the import policy remains “Free.”
Official notification can be accessed from here: official notification
Voice Compliance
Evolution of Regulations in the Satellite Communication Industry
Big changes are coming to India’s satellite communication landscape. The government plans to offer security relaxations for GMPCS license holders, allowing for remote satellite management and removing the restriction on latitude and longitude binding for fixed terminals. These moves will boost connectivity and open up new opportunities in the satellite sector.
Remote Management:- Remote management in satellite networks allows operators to control and monitor satellite systems from outside the country. Currently, India’s regulations do not permit remote satellite management without specific prior notification to the authorities. The proposed changes would relax these rules, allowing global companies to manage operations and Indian user data outside India’s borders, providing greater flexibility.
Latitude and Longitude Binding of Fixed Terminals:- Latitude-longitude binding ensures that a fixed satellite terminal can only operate at its registered location. If the terminal is moved to a different site, it must be re-verified and approved by the authority. This helps prevent misuse, especially in sensitive areas like borders.
According to some experts, the proposed changes to satellite regulations raise security concerns. These changes could allow terminals to be used in unauthorized locations and enable remote management, increasing the risk of unauthorized access. Easing the rules for monitoring data might further facilitate unauthorized use, potentially compromising network security and user privacy.
These relaxations will make it easier for global satellite service providers like Starlink and Amazon Kuiper to comply with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) regulations and obtain GMPCS licenses to operate within India.
DoT has shared and discussed these changes with four major satellite players, including Bharti-Backed Eutelsat OneWeb, Starlink, Reliance Jio SES, and Amazon Kuiper, seeking their input on the regulatory changes to refine the regulations.
TRAI Launched an Updated DND App
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is set to launch an updated, user-friendly ‘Do Not Disturb’ (DND) app within the next two months, following discussions with the stakeholders on its technical feasibility. The app aims to combat the persistent issue of spam calls and messages.
This updated version will enhance user experience by allowing users to report and block spam communications directly, giving them greater control over unwanted calls and messages.
This initiative is part of TRAI’s ongoing efforts to address consumer grievances related to unsolicited commercial communications and improve the overall user experience in the telecom sector.
Extension for M2MSP registration on Saral Sanchar
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has extended the deadline for M2M registration to 15th January 2025. This extension provides a crucial opportunity for unregistered entities offering M2M services and/or WLAN/WPAN connectivity to ensure compliance and avoid potential operational disruptions.
For all unregistered entities using M2M SIMs for M2M services/connectivity, services will be suspended if registration is not completed by the deadline. Services will only be reinstated once the registration certificate is submitted to the telecom licensees.
Don’t risk operational disruptions! Complete your registration via the Saral Sanchar Portal today.
As telecom regulatory experts, we can guide you through the process to ensure full compliance. Let’s ensure your services continue smoothly and without interruptions!
BEE
Extension of Star Rating Validity for Various Electronic Products
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has extended the validity of the existing star rating table of Distribution Transformers, Pedestal Fans, Air Compressors, Table/Wall Fans, Side by Side/Multi Door Refrigerators and Induction Hobs. The new validity periods are as follows:
To keep your model’s registration with BEE active, the respective product category permittee is required to adhere to the below process:
The official notification can be accessed with the link: official notification
Important Announcement for Manufacturers and Permittees of LEDs under BEE Regulation
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has recently issued a notification mandating QR code implementation on LED bulb packaging starting 1st March 2025, effectively superseding all prior notifications.
Key Highlights of the Notification:
LED Bulbs with Power ≤ 5 Watts:
- The lamp must display the model name and star rating.
- The QR code must be prominently displayed on the packaging.
Placement of QR Code:
- The QR code must be positioned directly below the specimen label on the packaging.
- If space constraints arise, the QR code can be placed on a separate section of the packaging.
Ensure compliance with these guidelines to meet regulatory requirements and avoid potential penalties.
The official notification can be through the link: official notification
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