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Tempered Glass New Rule: BIS Certification Mandatory for Smartphone Screen Protectors From April 2027

Posted on 23rd Sep 2026 01:37 pm by rohit kumar

The government has introduced new quality requirements for smartphone screen protectors, commonly sold as tempered glass or screen guards in India. From April 1, 2027, smartphone screen protectors covered by the new notification will have to comply with the relevant Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) requirements before being manufactured, imported, sold or distributed in India.

 

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), through a notification dated September 21, 2026, added “Screen Protectors for smartphones” to the schedule of products covered under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. The applicable Indian Standard is IS 19348:2025 — Glass Screen Protector — Specification.

 

Tempered Glass New Rule: What Changes From April 1, 2027?

 

Under the new framework, manufacturers and importers of covered smartphone screen protectors will have to meet the specified Indian Standard and comply with the applicable BIS registration requirements.

 

The government has provided manufacturers and other affected entities with more than six months to prepare before the requirements take effect on April 1, 2027.

 

The move is aimed at bringing greater consistency to a market that currently includes a large number of low-cost and imported screen-protection products.

 

What Is IS 19348:2025?

 

The new regulation refers to IS 19348:2025, the Indian Standard covering glass screen protectors.

 

The standard includes requirements relating to aspects such as thickness, dimensions, light transmission, defects and strength, according to current reporting on the notification. Products meeting the applicable requirements will need the prescribed BIS Standard Mark under the registration framework.

 

This means consumers are likely to see greater standardisation in the quality of smartphone screen protectors sold in the organised market once the rules take effect.

 

Will Low-Quality Tempered Glass Be Banned?

 

The government has not announced a blanket ban on tempered glass or smartphone screen protectors.

 

Instead, products covered by the notification will have to comply with the specified Indian Standard from April 1, 2027. Products that do not meet the applicable requirements cannot be manufactured, stored for sale, imported, sold or distributed in India after the rules come into force.

 

Therefore, the key change is mandatory quality compliance and registration, rather than a ban on the entire screen-protector category.

 

What Does the New BIS Rule Mean for Smartphone Users?

 

For consumers, the new rules could bring more consistency to the quality of screen protectors available in the market.

 

Currently, screen protectors are sold across a wide range of prices and quality levels, from branded products to inexpensive unbranded options. Industry stakeholders have pointed to the large share of low-cost imports and the fragmented nature of the market.

 

After implementation, buyers should increasingly find compliant products carrying the required BIS Standard Mark.

 

However, the new rules do not automatically mean that every BIS-compliant screen protector will offer identical performance. Consumers should still consider factors such as compatibility, fit, clarity, touch response and the specifications of their smartphone.

 

Will Tempered Glass Become More Expensive?

 

The government notification does not state that screen-protector prices will increase.

 

However, manufacturers and importers may incur additional costs associated with testing, compliance and certification. Whether those costs are passed on to consumers will depend on individual companies and market conditions.

 

Therefore, claims that all tempered-glass screen protectors will definitely become more expensive should be treated cautiously.

 

India Screen Protector Market: What the Industry Says

 

According to ICEA chairman Pankaj Mohindroo, India has a market of more than 500 million screen-protector units annually. ICEA estimates that the move could help create a ₹12,000–16,000 crore quality-driven industry, generate around 60,000 direct and indirect jobs, and contribute an estimated ₹2,000 crore in GST revenue. These are industry estimates rather than government-guaranteed outcomes.

 

The domestic market for tempered-glass screen protectors was estimated at around 400 million pieces in 2025, with a retail value of approximately ₹20,000 crore, according to industry data cited in recent reports.

 

Optiemus Infracom Plans More Screen Protector Production

 

The new standards could also support India's domestic manufacturing ecosystem.

 

Optiemus Infracom has established a facility in Noida to manufacture tempered-glass screen protectors using technology from US-based materials technology company Corning. The company expects to begin shipments from January 2027.

 

Screen Protectors Become the 66th Product Category

 

Smartphone screen protectors have been added as the 66th product category under the relevant compulsory-registration framework.

 

The wider list already includes several electronic and IT products, including smartphones, laptops, mobile and laptop chargers, LED televisions, microwave ovens, printers and set-top boxes.

 

The latest notification specifically adds “Screen Protectors for smartphones” against IS 19348:2025.

 

What Should Buyers Check From April 2027?

 

Once the new requirements take effect, consumers buying smartphone screen protectors should look for the prescribed BIS Standard Mark and ensure that the product is suitable for their particular smartphone model.

 

Buyers should also be cautious about products making unsupported claims such as “military grade” or “unbreakable”, as the BIS requirement is primarily about compliance with the applicable Indian Standard.

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