India is set to introduce mandatory quality standards for smartphone screen protectors from April 1, 2027, bringing the accessory category under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) compulsory registration framework. The move is aimed at addressing inconsistent quality in the market and ensuring that screen protectors sold in India meet prescribed safety and performance requirements.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) added “Screen Protectors for smartphones” to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021, through a notification dated September 21, 2026. The products will have to conform to Indian Standard IS 19348:2025, titled “Glass Screen Protector — Specification.”
What Is the New Screen Protector Rule?
The government has not imposed an immediate ban on all screen protectors. Instead, manufacturers and importers have been given a transition period until March 31, 2027 to meet the new requirements. From April 1, products covered by the notification that do not meet the applicable standard will not be permitted for manufacture, import or sale in India.
The new standard covers several aspects of screen protector quality, including glass strength, dimensions, thickness, surface quality and light transmission. It also includes requirements relating to adhesives and features such as anti-shatter films, oleophobic coatings, anti-glare layers, blue-light filtering and privacy films.
Why Is India Introducing BIS Standards?
India’s smartphone accessory market includes a large number of low-cost and unbranded screen protectors. Industry stakeholders have highlighted concerns over inconsistent quality and heavy dependence on imports. The new BIS framework is intended to establish a more uniform quality benchmark for products sold domestically.
The government notification also requires relevant product information to be provided on packaging, including details such as the manufacturer, batch information and thickness. Compliant products are expected to carry the applicable BIS marking and registration details.
Will Smartphone Screen Protectors Become More Expensive?
The new rules could increase costs for some manufacturers because of additional testing, certification and compliance requirements. However, the government notification does not announce a mandatory price increase for screen protectors. Any impact on retail prices will depend on how manufacturers and importers absorb or pass on compliance costs.
For consumers, the change could eventually make it easier to distinguish products that meet an established quality standard from those that do not.
The regulation is also expected to create opportunities for domestic manufacturers. Industry estimates cited by the Economic Times put India’s screen-protector market at more than 500 million units annually, although market-size estimates vary by source.
For smartphone users, the key date to remember is April 1, 2027, when the new BIS compliance requirement takes effect.
