BIS CRS Registration for Digital Cameras in India For Domestic and Foreign Manufacturer New Migration Update  IS/IEC 62368-1:2023

• BIS CRS Registration is mandatory for all Digital Cameras — including DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, compact point-and-shoot cameras, and instant cameras — sold or imported in India under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (CRO) Order, 2021.
• Unlike Video Cameras (IS 616:2017), Digital Cameras fall under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 — migrating to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 by 1 November 2028 per MeitY notification S.O. 4997(E) dated 29 October 2025.
• BIS amended CRS license validity to 5 years effective 25 February 2026 — a significant benefit for camera brands with long product life cycles.
• Digital Cameras with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity additionally require WPC type approval — a separate mandatory certification from India's Ministry of Communications.

BIS CRS Registration for Digital Cameras

• BIS CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) is mandatory government certification for Digital Cameras sold in India, issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
• Digital Cameras are listed at Sl. No. 34 in the BIS migration guidelines (9 March 2026) under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (CRO) Order, 2021.
• Unlike Video Cameras which fall under IS 616:2017, Digital Cameras fall under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 — being replaced by IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 with a migration deadline of 1 November 2028.
• Digital Cameras with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth additionally require WPC type approval from India's Ministry of Communications.
• From 25 February 2026, CRS licenses are valid for 5 years. Annual fees must be paid every year in advance to keep the license operative.
• Selling Digital Cameras in India without a valid BIS CRS license is illegal under the BIS Act, 2016.

 What is BIS CRS Registration for Digital Cameras?

BIS CRS Registration is the mandatory product certification that every Digital Camera must hold before it can be legally sold, imported, or commercially distributed in India. Issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, it is required under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 (CRO 2021).

Digital Cameras are listed at Sl. No. 34 in the BIS implementation guidelines dated 9 March 2026 (Ref: Reg/IS/IEC 62368-1:2023/Guidelines/01). The certification is administered under Scheme-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

A critical technical distinction: Digital Cameras fall under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 — the IT equipment safety standard — while Video Cameras (Sl. No. 35) fall under IS 616:2017. This is because digital cameras are classified as information technology equipment (primarily designed for still image capture with digital processing) rather than pure audio/video apparatus. Understanding this classification prevents one of the most common compliance errors made by imaging product brands in India.

The IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 standard is being superseded by IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 as per MeitY notification S.O. 4997(E) dated 29 October 2025. Both standards run concurrently until 1 November 2028 — after which only IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 is valid for Digital Cameras.

Types of Digital Cameras Covered Under BIS CRS

The BIS CRS notification covers the full range of digital still camera products sold in India. Here is a complete breakdown of the camera types that fall within this certification requirement:

The classification rule for Digital Cameras under BIS CRS: if the product is a standalone, finished digital camera whose primary function is capturing still photographs — with digital image processing and storage — it falls under this category. If the primary function is continuous video recording, it falls under Video Cameras (Sl. No. 35, IS 616:2017). Hybrid cameras that are heavily marketed for both stills and video require careful classification — consult a BIS expert before selecting the product category and testing standard.

Who Needs BIS CRS Certification for Digital Cameras in India?

The BIS CRS certification requirement for Digital Cameras applies to every entity in the supply chain:

• Indian manufacturers producing digital cameras, compact cameras, or instant cameras for the domestic market
• Foreign manufacturers — global camera brands (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Ricoh, Leica, Hasselblad, Phase One) whose products are imported and sold in India
• Authorized Indian Representatives (AIRs) representing foreign camera brands for all BIS CRS compliance purposes in India
• Importers bringing digital cameras into India for commercial distribution, retail, or rental
• OEM brands that source camera hardware and sell it under their own brand name as a finished digital camera product in India
• D2C brands and e-commerce sellers that import and list digital cameras under their own label on Amazon India, Flipkart, or other platforms
• Grey market parallel importers are also subject to BIS CRS — importing without certification is illegal regardless of the channel

India's digital camera market serves a diverse range of buyers — from first-time photographers buying entry-level DSLRs to professional photojournalists, commercial photographers, and hobbyist enthusiasts. Every price point and every professional tier requires BIS CRS certification. The law makes no distinctions based on brand prestige, price, or sales volume.

Digital Cameras vs Video Cameras Under BIS CRS — Critical Classification Difference

This is the most frequently misunderstood compliance distinction for imaging product brands in India. Digital Cameras (Sl. No. 34) and Video Cameras (Sl. No. 35) are listed as separate product categories under the CRS notification — with different applicable safety standards. Applying under the wrong category causes delays, wrong testing, and BIS queries.

The classification challenge arises with hybrid mirrorless cameras that are marketed equally for stills and video. Many professional mirrorless cameras (Sony Alpha, Canon EOS R, Nikon Z series) are used extensively for both purposes. In these cases, the primary marketed function and product specification should guide classification. When there is genuine ambiguity, consult a BIS compliance expert before deciding which category to register under — an incorrect classification results in testing under the wrong standard and possible BIS rejection of the application.

BIS CRS and WPC Type Approval for Digital Cameras — Dual Compliance

The majority of modern digital cameras — DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and even many compact cameras — include built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote shooting, image transfer, and smartphone connectivity. This makes WPC type approval a mandatory additional compliance requirement for most digital camera brands entering India.

WPC (Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing) type approval is issued by the Ministry of Communications, Government of India. It covers the radio frequency parameters, transmission power, and spectrum compliance of wireless modules embedded in digital cameras. BIS CRS and WPC are completely separate compliance requirements — different government bodies, different applications, different fees, different timelines. Running both simultaneously is strongly recommended for wireless digital camera brands to minimise total India market entry time.

Key 2026 Regulatory Updates — BIS CRS for Digital Cameras

BIS Extends CRS License Validity to 5 Years — Amendment Dated 25 February 2026

The Bureau of Indian Standards amended the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 on 25 February 2026. This is the most significant administrative change for CRS licence holders — including Digital Camera brands — in recent years. The revised provisions under Scheme-II are:

What this means for Digital Camera brands: Your CRS license is now valid for 5 years from the date of grant. This is particularly beneficial for professional camera brands where product models have long market life cycles — a Canon EOS R5 or Nikon Z9 released in one year may sell for 4-5 years without a major update, making the 5-year validity period a natural fit. However, annual fees must still be paid every year in advance, with production details submitted alongside. Missing any annual payment within the 5-year term triggers suspension and can lead to cancellation.

MeitY Notification S.O. 4997(E) Dated 29 October 2025 — IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 Migration

MeitY issued notification S.O. 4997(E) on 29 October 2025, formally amending the CRO 2021 to notify IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 as the replacement standard for Digital Cameras, superseding IS 13252 (Part 1):2010. Digital Cameras are listed at Sl. No. 34 in the BIS implementation guidelines issued on 9 March 2026.

Both IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 run concurrently for Digital Cameras until 1 November 2028. After this date, IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 is officially withdrawn. All existing CRS licensees must complete migration to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023, and all new applicants post-November 2028 must apply exclusively under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023.

Applicable BIS Standards for Digital Cameras — IS 13252 vs IS/IEC 62368-1:2023

Why Digital Cameras fall under IS 13252 (not IS 616): Digital cameras process still images through digital circuits, store images on memory cards or internal storage, and often connect to computers and smartphones — functions that align them with IT equipment (IEC 60950-1 / IS 13252) rather than pure audio/video apparatus (IEC 60065 / IS 616). This is why Digital Cameras at Sl. No. 34 are governed by IS 13252 (Part 1):2010, while Video Cameras at Sl. No. 35 fall under IS 616:2017.

IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 resolves this historical divide by providing a single unified HBSE standard for both IT and audio/video products. After 1 November 2028, all imaging products — Digital Cameras (formerly IS 13252) and Video Cameras (formerly IS 616) — will be certified under the same IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 standard.

India's Digital Camera Market in 2026 — BIS CRS Compliance Context

India's digital camera market is smaller than the global average in unit terms but growing in value — driven by professional photography demand, content creation, wedding photography, travel photography, and a growing enthusiast base. Understanding the market segments helps contextualise the compliance requirement for each brand type.

Across every segment of India's digital camera market, BIS CRS certification is the non-negotiable legal entry requirement. Brands that invest in proper certification access the full market — authorised dealers, e-commerce platforms, enterprise buyers, government tenders, and professional users. Brands without certification face customs seizure, marketplace de-listing, and the complete loss of market access.

Documents Required for BIS CRS Registration — Digital Cameras

For Indian Manufacturers

• Completed BIS CRS application form — filed via manakonline.in under Scheme-II
• Business registration certificate — Company Incorporation / MSME Certificate / LLP Agreement / Partnership Deed
• GST Registration Certificate
• Manufacturing or assembly facility address proof — ownership deed or lease agreement
• Product details — brand name, model number(s), sensor type, resolution (megapixels), lens type (fixed / interchangeable), connectivity, product description
• Safety Test Report from a BIS-recognized laboratory under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS/IEC 62368-1:2023
• Product photographs — all angles, lens, LCD screen, controls, connectivity ports, battery compartment, accessories, and packaging
• Packaging specimens showing BIS Standard Mark placement space and Registration Number field
• Technical documentation — circuit diagrams, block diagrams, battery and charger specification, wireless module details (if any), memory card slot specification
• Declaration of conformity signed by the authorized signatory
• Authorized signatory identity documents — PAN, Aadhaar, designation letter
• Bank account details for BIS fee payments
• WPC type approval certificate for wireless module (for Wi-Fi / Bluetooth enabled cameras — can be coordinated simultaneously)

For Foreign Manufacturers / Importers

• All company registration and identity documents of the foreign manufacturer or brand owner
• Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) appointment letter — notarised and signed by the foreign manufacturer
• AIR company registration documents — Indian entity certificate, GST, PAN
• Import Export Code (IEC) of the AIR or Indian importer
• Power of Attorney or MOU between the foreign manufacturer and the Indian AIR
• Safety Test Report from a BIS-recognised or MRA-accredited partner laboratory (IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS/IEC 62368-1:2023)
• Brand / trademark ownership certificate or registration document
• Country of origin certificate for the Digital Camera
• Product photographs — all angles, lens configuration, accessories (battery, charger, strap, memory card slot), and retail packaging
• Packaging and label specimens showing BIS Standard Mark space and Registration Number placeholder
• Technical file — product description, imaging sensor specification, battery specification, bill of materials, wireless module make and model
• Declaration of conformity from the foreign manufacturer
• WPC type approval for wireless modules (for Wi-Fi / Bluetooth enabled camera models)
• Lens specification (for interchangeable lens cameras — the body is certified; lenses sold separately are not covered under the camera's BIS CRS)

Step-by-Step BIS CRS Registration Process — Digital Cameras

BIS CRS Registration Fees — Digital Cameras

Note: BIS fee amounts are revised periodically. WPC type approval fees are separately governed by the Ministry of Communications. Always verify current fee schedules on bis.gov.in and wpc.gov.in, or contact a certified compliance consultant like Silvereye Certifications before initiating any registration process.

BIS CRS License Validity, Renewal & Annual Compliance — Digital Cameras 2026

Initial License Grant — 5 Years

• Digital Camera CRS license is now granted for an initial period of 5 years from the date of issue (post 25 Feb 2026 amendment)
• Annual fees must be paid in advance by the prescribed due date every year during this 5-year period
• Production details — model-wise quantities of cameras manufactured or imported — must be submitted with each annual fee payment
• BIS Standard Mark and Registration Number must be correctly displayed on all active product batches throughout the licence period

License Renewal — Further 5 Years

• At the end of the 5-year period, the license is renewed for a further 5 years
• Renewal fees follow the same annual payment structure — paid in advance each year
• By the time of first post-2026 renewal, all Digital Camera models in scope must already be IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 compliant

Consequences of Non-Compliance

• Non-payment of annual fee by due date → suspension or deferment of CRS license
• Continued non-payment → cancellation or expiry of license
• Cancelled license → digital cameras cannot be legally sold, imported, or listed on e-commerce platforms in India
• Non-migration to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 by 1 November 2028 → license inoperative or models deleted from scope
• Reinstating a cancelled license requires a completely fresh application — entire process restarts

IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 Migration — What Digital Camera Brands Must Do

Existing CRS Licensees — Action Required Before 1 November 2028

• Implement IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 compliance for all Digital Camera models in your licence scope by 1 November 2028.
• Submit complete Test Reports from a BIS-recognised laboratory (tested under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023) for all lead models covered under your CRS licence.
• Upload updated test reports through the Standard Revision / Amendment / Essential Requirement provision in your BIS portal login.
• Provide a signed undertaking confirming IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 requirements have been implemented in all series models (variants) within your licence scope.
• BIS will issue a confirmation letter once migration is verified — listing all Digital Camera models for which compliance has been established.
• Failure to complete migration by 1 November 2028 → licence cancellation or deletion of non-compliant models from scope — loss of legal right to sell those cameras in India.

New Applicants — First-Time BIS CRS for Digital Cameras

• Applications where samples have already been submitted under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 can still be processed under the old standard
• New applications can be filed directly under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 — strongly recommended to avoid future migration costs
• If applying under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010, a signed declaration committing to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 migration by 1 November 2028 must be submitted
• After 1 November 2028, no new CRS licence will be granted under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 for Digital Cameras

Change in Scope — Adding New Camera Models

• Adding new digital camera models to an existing licence scope follows the same guidelines as for new applicants
• Processing scope changes under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 is permitted only until the licensee's own switchover to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 or 1 November 2028 — whichever is earlier

Complete List of 38 Products Migrating to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 Under BIS CRS (2026)

All 38 product categories under BIS CRS migration as per BIS implementation guidelines dated 9 March 2026. Digital Cameras appear at Sl. No. 34:

★ Digital Cameras are listed at Sl. No. 34. Current standard: IS 13252 (Part 1):2010. New mandatory standard: IS/IEC 62368-1:2023. Migration deadline: 1 November 2028. Note the critical distinction from Video Cameras (Sl. No. 35, IS 616:2017) — different product category, different starting standard, same migration destination and deadline.

Key Benefits of BIS CRS Registration for Digital Camera Brands

• Legal right to sell in India: BIS CRS is the mandatory legal entry requirement — no digital camera can be legally sold, imported, or distributed in India without a valid licence
• Customs clearance: BIS Registration Number (R-XXXXXXXX) is required at Indian customs for camera body imports — without it, consignments are detained or rejected
• Authorised dealer network access: Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm and other major brand authorised dealers in India require BIS CRS for all stocked models
• E-commerce marketplace listings: Amazon India, Flipkart, and all major platforms require BIS certification for digital camera product listings — uncertified products are de-listed
• Government and PSU procurement: Government agencies, defence establishments, research institutions, and PSUs procuring cameras for documentation specify BIS-certified products
• Professional buyer confidence: Professional photographers, photography studios, journalism organisations, and advertising agencies verify BIS certification before equipment procurement
• Photography school and institution supply: Professional photography schools, colleges, and training institutes require certified equipment for student and institution purchases
• Protection from enforcement action: Valid BIS CRS protects your brand from product seizure, import bans, financial penalties, and prosecution under the BIS Act, 2016
• 5-year licence stability (2026): Particularly valuable for premium camera brands where models have long market life cycles — fewer renewal cycles, more stable compliance planning

Eligibility Criteria for BIS CRS Registration — Digital Cameras

There is no minimum production volume, capital requirement, or revenue threshold for eligibility. A compact camera startup and a global full-frame mirrorless brand are equally required — and equally eligible — to obtain BIS CRS Registration before their Digital Camera products can legally enter the Indian market.

Silvereye Certifications — India's Trusted BIS CRS Consultant for Digital Camera Brands

BIS CRS Registration for Digital Cameras requires more expertise than simply submitting documents online. The critical distinction between Digital Cameras (IS 13252) and Video Cameras (IS 616), the classification challenge for hybrid mirrorless cameras, the WPC type approval coordination for wireless models, the IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 migration timeline, and the multi-model portfolio management for large brand catalogues — all of this demands expert navigation from day one.

Silvereye Certifications is one of India's most experienced BIS CRS consulting firms, with deep expertise in IT, imaging, and consumer electronics product certification. Their team brings specialist knowledge of the Digital Camera regulatory framework — including the IS 13252 vs IS 616 classification distinction, WPC coordination for wireless cameras, and the full IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 migration pathway — alongside comprehensive understanding of every 2025-2026 regulatory update. For global camera brands, local Indian manufacturers, importers, and distributors — Silvereye delivers the compliance outcomes your brand needs to compete in India.

From your first compliance enquiry through CRS licence grant, WPC type approval, annual renewals, new model additions, and IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 migration — Silvereye Certifications is the compliance partner that keeps your Digital Camera brand fully legal, fully compliant, and fully competitive in India's growing imaging and photography market.

Conclusion

BIS CRS Registration for Digital Cameras is a mandatory legal requirement for every brand — domestic or international — operating in India's photography and imaging market. The 2025-2026 regulatory landscape has brought two significant updates: MeitY's notification mandating migration from IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 by 1 November 2028, and BIS's amendment extending CRS licence validity to 5 years while keeping annual compliance obligations unchanged. Additionally, the vast majority of modern digital cameras include wireless features that require separate WPC type approval — making this a multi-certification compliance challenge that needs expert management.

India's photography and imaging market — spanning enthusiast photographers, professional studios, wedding photographers, content creators, journalism organisations, and educational institutions — represents a significant and growing commercial opportunity. Only BIS CRS-certified digital camera brands can access this market legally, build distributor and dealer confidence, list on major e-commerce platforms, and win the trust of professional buyers who verify certification before every major purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions