The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has brought smartphone screen protectors under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) compulsory registration framework, introducing quality standards for manufacturers and importers.
The new rules will prohibit the sale of screen protectors that do not meet the prescribed standards. However, the implementation is not immediate. Manufacturers and importers have been given a transition period until April 1, 2027, to comply with the requirements.
From April 1, 2027, all screen protectors sold in India will have to meet the BIS standard IS 19348:2025.
New standard requirements
The IS 19348:2025 standard sets quality and testing requirements for glass screen protectors. These include specifications for the size, strength and surface quality of the glass.
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The standard also sets requirements for optical clarity, including light transmission and visible defects.
Screen protectors with additional features such as adhesive covers, anti-shatter films, oleophobic coatings, anti-glare treatment, blue-light filtering and privacy films will also have to meet the applicable requirements.
Manufacturers will also have to test their products before they are sold in India. Packaging must carry key details such as the manufacturer’s name, batch number and thickness of the screen protector.
Why the new rules
The government has introduced the mandatory BIS framework amid concerns over the availability of cheap and sub-standard screen protectors in the Indian market.
Many low-cost, unbranded screen protectors offer limited impact resistance. When a phone is dropped, brittle glass can shatter without adequately absorbing the impact, potentially leaving the phone’s actual display damaged.
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Safety is another concern. Sub-standard tempered glass can break into sharp pieces, potentially causing cuts to users. The new standard lays down safety and testing requirements for the glass, including how it should fragment when broken.
According to estimates by the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), India consumes more than 500 million screen protectors every year.
Quality control
The new framework is aimed at bringing this large market under quality controls.
The market currently includes products ranging from established brands to inexpensive, unbranded screen guards and tempered glass protectors. From April 1, 2027, all manufacturers and importers will have to ensure that the products they sell comply with the required BIS standards.
The notification has been issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, and amends the existing compulsory registration framework issued in 2021.