ISI 

Strengthening Fertilizer Quality: ISI Mark Now Mandatory for Woven Sacks!  

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has taken a major step towards enhanced fertiliser quality by issuing a Quality Control Order (QCO) on December 6, 2023. 

This order mandates the ISI Mark for all High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP) woven sacks used for fertilizer packaging.   

Implementation date: June 6, 2024.  

Note: It shall not apply to Woven sacks meant for export.   

ISI Mark is now Mandatory for 50 Kg Cement Sacks 

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has released QCO for High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)/ Polypropylene (PP) Woven Sacks for Packaging of 50 kg Cement (IS 11652:2017) and Polypropylene (PP) Woven, Laminated, Block Bottom Valve Sacks for Packaging of 50 kg Cement (IS 16709:2017).   

Implementation date: June 6, 2024.   

Note: It shall not apply to Woven sacks meant for export.       

Polypropylene (PP)/High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Laminated Woven Sacks for Mail Sorting, Storage, Transport and Distribution QCO  

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has released QCO for Polypropylene (PP)/High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Laminated Woven Sacks for Mail Sorting, Storage, Transport and Distribution.   

Implementation date: June 6, 2024.   

Note: It shall not apply to Woven sacks meant for export.    

As of January 1, 2024, refrigeration appliances must bear the ISI Mark  

  The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) initially set January 1, 2023, as the date for making the ISI Mark mandatory for Refrigerating Appliances. 

Yet, the enforcement was later rescheduled to January 1, 2024, allowing manufacturers more time to ensure compliance.    

As of the latest update, the mandate for the ISI Mark on Refrigerating Appliances has been put into effect, aligning with the revised enforcement date.    

You can access the official notification from here.     

 DPIIT made the ISI Mark Mandatory for Laboratory Glassware   

  On 1 January 2024, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) announced a Quality Control Order (QCO) in which they made it mandatory for the following products of laboratory glassware to carry an ISI Mark.    

• Graduate measuring cylinders 
• One- Mark volumetric flasks 
• Narrow-necked boiling flasks 
• Single volume pipettes
• Glass beakers

As per the directive, the order will be officially placed after 6 months of publication in the Official Gazette.  

 
Implementation dates for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) are: 
 
🔰 Small Enterprises have until 1 October 2024. 
🔰 Micro Enterprises have until 1 January 2025. 
 
This rule is a big step taken by the government to make sure these industries meet high standards, keeping consumers safe and making the industry more competitive. 
 
For further information refer to the official notification here  

ISI Mark Now Mandatory for Electrical Accessories   

On 1 January 2024, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) announced a Quality Control Order (QCO) in which they have made it mandatory for Electrical Accessories such as Cable Trucking and Ducting systems, Bayonet Lamp holders, Live Working Gloves, insulating mat etc to carry an ISI Mark. 
 
As per the directive, the order will be officially placed after 6 months of publication in the Official Gazette. 
 
Implementation dates for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) are: 
 
🔰 Small Enterprises have until 1st October 2024. 
🔰 Micro Enterprises have until 1st January 2024. 
 
This rule is a big step by the government to make sure these industries meet high standards, keeping consumers safe and making the industry more competitive.   

For further information refer to the official notification from here.

DPIIT removed certain classes of Polyethylene Material for Moulding and Extrusion   

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) announced a Quality Control Amendment Order, 2024 in which they removed the following certain classes of Polyethylene Material for Moulding and Extrusion: 

1. Low-Density Polyethylene Extrusion (LDPE) Coating;
2. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Film Grades (Blown/ Cast) or Pharma;
3. Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Butene Grades;
4. Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Hexene/ Octene Grades;
5. Metallocene Polyethylene Grades;
6. Base Resins of Power Cable, Jacketing and other applications; 
7. Compounds for Cable Jacketing/ Sheathing/ Polyethylene-80 and Polyethylene-100 (Black and Pigmented)/ Reinforcement Fillers”. 

As per the directive, the order has been officially effective since  4 January 2024. 

This rule is a big step taken by the government to make sure these industries meet high standards, keeping consumers safe and making the industry more competitive. 

For further information refer to the official notification here  

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BEE  

Advisory for permittee/manufacturers of Washing machines  

In light of the notifications released on November 17, 2023, and December 18, 2023, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has issued an advisory regarding energy efficiency compliance for Washing Machines, as follows:  

• Given the extension of the deadline for applying the model degradation/continuation process until February 29, 2024, the validity date of the star rating period for registered Washing Machine models has likewise been automatically extended until the same date.  

• There will be no extensions granted beyond February 29, 2024. Permittees who have not yet applied for degradation/continuation are advised to do so promptly. 

The link for official notification can be accessed here   

Revised Validity Period for Star Labels and Introduction of New Table for Ceiling Fans   

As you all are aware BEE introduced Ceiling fans under the mandatory scheme in May 2022, with two-star rating tables based on sweep sizes.  

However, in a recent notification dated January 23, 2024, under the Standards & Labeling (S&L) program, BEE has revised the star label tables for ceiling fans. The sweep sizes for ceiling fans have now been categorized into three, below, you will find the updated star rating table for ceiling fans.  

1. The Star Rating table for electric ceiling-type fans of sweep size ≥ 600 mm and ≤ 750 mm is below,  

Valid from 17th January 2024 to 31st December 2024  

S.No.	Star Levels	Rated Service Value   (Cubic meter per minute/Watt)
1.	1 Star	≥1.5 to < 2.0
2.	2 Star	≥2.0 to < 2.5
3.	3 Star	≥2.5 to < 3.0
4.	4 Star	≥3.0 to < 3.5
5.	5 Star	≥3.5

  2. The Star Rating table for ceiling-type fans of sweep size > 750 mm and ≤ 1050 mm is below,  

Valid from 17th January, 2024 to 31st December, 2024  

S.No.	Star Levels	Rated Service Value   (Cubic meter per minute/Watt)
1.	1 Star	≥3.1 to < 3.6
2.	2 Star	≥3.6 to < 4.1
3.	3 Star	≥4.1 to < 4.6
4.	4 Star	≥4.6 to < 5.1
5.	5 Star	≥5.1

 3. The Star Rating table for ceiling-type fans of sweep size > 1050 mm and ≤ 1500 mm is mentioned below,  

Valid from 17th January 2024 to 31st December 2024  

S.No.	Star Levels	Rated Service Value   (Cubic meter per minute/Watt)
1.	1 Star	≥4.0 to <4.5
2.	2 Star	≥4.5 to <5.0
3.	3 Star	≥5.0 to <5.5
4.	4 Star	≥5.5 to <6.0
5.	5 Star	≥6.0

 Ceiling fan models that have received prior approval under the Standards & Labeling (S&L) program will retain their validity until December 31, 2024.  

The link for the official notification can be accessed here.   

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Waste Management 

CPCB Outlines Exemption for Registration under E-waste Management Rules, 2022    

In the CPCB notification regarding the E-Waste EPR registration under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 and subsequent amendments, the following entities are exempt from registration:

1.  Importer of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) not listed in Schedule-I of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 which include components, consumables, parts, and spares.

2. Importer of Electrical and Electronic Equipment listed in Schedule-I of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, for the following specific purposes:

                  a. Selling to registered producers   

                  b. Self-use (Not for Sale).  

                  c. Captive consumption for manufacturing and selling to registered producers   

3. Consumers or Bulk Consumers, importing the notified EEE for self or captive use.    

Further, the exempted entities must submit the documents mentioned in the directive to Customs/Port Authorities and CPCB at ewaste2.cpcb@gov.in.    

This notice aims to simplify import procedures for electrical items while making sure everyone follows E-Waste Management Rules.   

For complete details, refer to the official notification from here.   

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 CDSCO  

India Introduces NSWS Portal: A One-Stop Destination for Medical Device Approvals!  

The government of India launched the National Single Window System (NSWS), a unified platform, offering a one-stop solution for all necessary approvals, licenses, registrations, and clearances designed to streamline the approval processes required by investors.  

 In collaboration with TCS, Invest India has developed an NSWS portal tailored for the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). This dedicated portal will be independent from SUGAM and cdscomdonline, and is live from January 1, 2024.  

  Initially, the NSWS portal will handle three key activities under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017:    

1. Applying for Certificate of Registration of a Notified Body (Form MD-OI).  
2. Applying for a license to manufacture medical devices for various purposes (Form MD-12).  
3. Applying for a License to Import Medical Devices for Clinical Investigations, Tests, or Demonstrations (Form MD-16). 

You can access the NSWS portal via [https://www.nsws.gov.in](https://www.nsws.gov.in). The existing cdscomdonline portal for these activities will be disabled from January 15, 2024.    

BIS-CRS  

Parallel Testing is Now a Permanent Provision for BIS-CRS Certification!    

Based on stakeholder consultation and the consent of MEITY the parallel testing has been changed from a Pilot Project to a Permanent scheme for BIS-CRS. As per the latest notification dated 9th Jan 2024, all products can be tested using parallel testing now.     

Important Point    

• It is important to note that Parallel testing is Voluntary in nature manufacturers may apply via existing processes for BIS certification.  

• The manufacturer will bear the total risk (including cost) in this procedure in case any of the applications are rejected /not processed at a later stage.  
• The manufacturer will get CCL updated immediately after getting the product registered.    

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TEC  

Exemption About Various Parameters/Interfaces of ERs Under MTCTE Regulation   

On 8th January 2024, TEC notified the industry of various exemptions from submission of test reports for the below-mentioned test Parameters/Interfaces under MTCTE. The relaxation for these test parameters has been extended up to 30th June 2024 or till further orders from the department.   

Recently, TEC also extended the mandatory date of certification for 12 product categories under phases III and IV of MTCTE.

In the same direction, test requirements such as 5G NR testing under Router ER, certain protocol tests for PON devices and gateway products, and various tests for Optical Fiber Cables have been extended.  

S. No.	Product Name/ Variant	Parameters/Interface Name   (As Per Er)	Standard Name (As Per ER)	Remarks
1.	Media Gateway	MGCP Connection Model	H.248 C1.6. Annex- P5	Exempted
2.	Mobile Radio Trunking System	Frequency Band for MRTS	NFAP, Anne- C1	Exempted for-   ETSI EN 300, 390   ETSI EN 300, 296   ETSI EN 300, 341   &   ETSI EN 302 561
		Conformance to standards for MRTS	ETSI EN 300 xxx, ETSI EN 301 xxx, 302 xxx. Annex-C3
		Max RF Power Output for MRTS Base Station	As per Dot WPC, License Conditions, Annex- C2
3.	Repeater for Cellular Network	GSM Repeater Station Operating Frequency	NFAP. Annex- F	Exempted
		GSM Repeater Station Parameters	3GPP TS 51.026 & TS 45.005. Annex-F6
		WCDMA Repeater Station Parameters	3GPP TS 25.143. Annex- F7
		WCDMA Repeater Station Operating Frequency	NFAP. Annex- F
		LTE Repeater Station Operating Frequency	NFAP. Annex- F
		LTE Repeater Station Parameter	3GPP TS 36.143. Annexe- F8
4.	Precision Timing Protocol Grand Master Equipment	Max. Peak Voltage for 10 MHz Interface	G.703. Annex- 1	Exempted
		Max. Peak Voltage for 10 MHz Interface	G.703. Annexe- 1
		Profile for Frequency Synchronization	Annex- P11
		Profile for Time & Phase Synchronization with full-timing Support	Annex- P11
		Profile for Time & Phase Synchronization with Partial timing Support	Annex- P11
		Pulse Shape for 10 MHz Interface	G.703. Annex- 1
		Pulse Width for 1 PPS Interface	G.703. Annex- 1
		Rise Time for 1 PPS Interface	G.703. Annex- 1
5.	VHF/UHF Radio System Equipment	Frequency for VHF or UHF Equipment	NFAP. Annex- C1	Exempted For-   ETSI EN 300 390,   ETSI EN 300 296,   ETSI EN 300 341,   ETSI EN 300 698,   ETSI EN 300 783,   ETSI EN 300 720,   ETSI EN 301 925,   ETSI EN 302 178.
		Conformance to Standards for VHF or UHF Radio Systems	ETSI EN 300xxx   ETSI SN 301-xxx Annex- C3
		Max Transmit Power for VHF or UHF HH Station	As Per DoT/WPC License Conditions. Annex-C2
6.	Radio Broadcast Receiver	Frequency of Operation for Radio Broadcast Receiver	Annexure-R-A1 Frequency (In Annexure to ER of Radio Broadcast Receiver)	Exempted
		GPS	Annexure-R-A1 Navigation (In Annexure to ER of Radio Broadcast Receiver)
		NavIC	Annexure-R-A1 Navigation (In Annexure to ER of Radio Broadcast Receiver)
7.	PON Family of Broadband Equipment	Protocol Test for any PON Interface	As per the Interface mentioned in PON ER	Exempted
8.	ADSLx	Bit Rate for ADSLx Interface	Annex- J1	Exempted
		Impulse Noise Protection for ADSLx Interface	Annex- J1
		Insulation Test for ADSLx Interface	Annex- J1
		Line Port Impedance for ADSLx Interface	Annex- J1
		Loop Resistance for ADSLx Interface	ETSI EN 300 001 Annex- J1
		PSD for ADSLx Interface	Annex- J1
		Transmitted Power at ATU-C for ADSLx Interface	Annex- J1
9.	VDSLx	Bit Rate for VDSLx Interface	G.993. or G.993.2.   Annex-J1	Exempted
		Insulation Test for 2 Wire Interface	ETSI EN 300 001. Annexe-D
		Line Port Impedance for VDSLX Interface	G.993. or G.993.2.   Annex-J1
		Loop Resistance for VDSLx	ETSI EN 300 001. Annex-J1
		Profiles for VDSLx	G.993. or G.993.2.   Annex-J1
		PSD for VDSLx Interface	G.993. (c1 6.2) or G.993.2. (c1 7.2)- Annex A B C. Annex-J1
		Return Loss for VDSLx	G.993. or G.993.2.   Annex-J1
		Transmitted Power at ATU-C for VDSLx Interface	G.993. or G.993.2.   Annex-J1
10.	Router	ER Interface:   1. 5G NR (FR1)   2. 5G NR (FR1 & FR2 Interworking with Other Radios)   3. 5G NR (FR2)	All the Parameters corresponding to these Interfaces in ER	Exempted
11.	Optical Fiber (Single Mode)	Mechanical Characteristics Proof Test for Minimum Strain Level	As Per Variants of ER	Exempted
		Material Properties- Fiber Materials- The Substance of which the Fibers are Made	As Per Variants of ER
		Colour Qualifications for Color Fiber MEK RUB Test (Methyl Ethyl Ketone)	As Per Variants of ER
12.	Optical Fiber Cable	Colour Qualifications for Color Fibers	As Per Variants of ER	Exempted
		Lightning Test	FOTP- 181, ITU-T K-47
		DC Resistance	IEEE 1138: 2009
		Short Circuit Test	IEEE 1138: 2009/IEC 60794 –1–2-H1
		Lightning Arc Test	IEEE 1138: 2009
		Flame- Spread Bunched Cable	IEC/EN 60332-3-24:2018, Cat C
		Smoke Test/ Smoke Density Test	IEC/EN 61034-2
		Acid Gas (Toxicity) (Test on Toxic Gases evolved during Combustion of material of Cables)	IEC/EN 60754-2
		Flame Retardant	IECTR62222 IEC 60332-1-2
		Electrical Characteristics- Power Feeding Wires	IEC 60228,    IEC 60502-1,    IEC 60227-1,    IEC 61156-1,    IEC 61196-1-10x, BS EN 60304
		Transfer Impedance & Coupling Attenuation	IEC 61156-1
		The requirement for Fire Performance of Optical/Metallic Hybrid Cables should meet fire safety regulations.	IEC TR 62222

  Access the notification from here.   

Please write to us for any more clarifications in this regard at tec@vincular.in      

Online Voluntary Certification Scheme    

TEC has now started accepting online applications for voluntary certification of telecom devices in India. The online module for the Voluntary Certification Scheme has been launched by the department and has become operational for Type/Interface approvals from 07 July 2023.    

With this, the following certificates can now be applied for and processed online:   

• Type Approval Certificate  
• Interface Approval Certificate,  
• Certificate of Approval (COA)  
• Technology Approval Certificate  

Exclusion of Hybrid Set Top Box Category from MTCTE Scheme  

After excluding certain categories such as Smartwatches, Mobile phones, Cameras, etc., TEC has also removed the Hybrid Set Top Box from the scope of the MTCTE. As a result, MTCTE phase-5 now encompasses only 6 product categories, namely:  

• Base-Station for cellular network  
• 5G Core  
• Hypervisor  
• E-band Fixed Radio Relay Systems  
• Converged Multi Service Application Access Equipment (C-MSAAE)  

• IP terminal  

Official notification can be accessed here.    

Requirement of Documents Against a Few Parameters of the PON Category   

TEC has recently notified the acceptance of Exemption/ Test Reports/ Self Declaration of Conformity against the parameters of the ‘PON family of Broadband Equipment’ category. Below are the parameters FYR:

• Protocol Test for any PON Interface (as per standards mentioned in ER): Exempted till 30 June 2024
• Automatic Laser Shut Down & Automatic Power Shut Down (as per IUT-T G.664.IEC 60825 Annex-A1): Self-declaration of Conformity by Applicant is acceptable.
• ECR (as per TEC 74046 Annex-R): Acceptable Test Reports are with ECR values calculated by OEM in-house lab or NABL.
• Interoperability test for GPON Int. (as per ITU-T G.984.x G.988 & BFF- TR 255 Annex-J5): Acceptable Test Reports should be of OEM in-house lab or NABL with sub-parameters.

You can access the notification here.  

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