Amendments to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021

## Report on Amendment to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods Requirements for Compulsory Registration Order, 2021 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods Requirements for Compulsory Registration Order, 2021. The amendment, detailed in S.O. 2844(E), focuses on three key areas: deferral of order application for manufacturers with new locations, labeling at custom ports, and exemption for highly specialized equipment (HSE). The purpose of these amendments appears to be to provide flexibility to manufacturers, facilitate trade, and avoid unnecessary regulatory burdens on specialized equipment. The key findings highlight the potential for manufacturers to streamline new location setups, clarifies labeling requirements for foreign manufacturers, and defines specific criteria for HSE exemption. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of the amendment to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods Requirements for Compulsory Registration Order, 2021, as detailed in the provided government notification. The analysis focuses on the rationale, key changes, target audience, inferred implementation aspects, and expected outcomes based solely on the information contained within the text of the amendment. **3. Policy Overview:** * This report concerns an amendment to the "Electronics and Information Technology Goods Requirements for Compulsory Registration Order, 2021," originally published under S.O. number 1248(E), dated the 18th March, 2021 and subsequently amended vide S.O. No 1353(E) dated 25.03.2021. * Core Objective(s) (Inferred from text): The amendment's objective appears to be to: * Ease the regulatory burden on manufacturers establishing new manufacturing locations within India. * Provide a transition period for foreign manufacturers regarding labeling at customs. * Exempt certain categories of highly specialized equipment from compulsory registration requirements. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment likely addresses the following issues with the original policy: * **New Manufacturing Locations:** The original policy may have created logistical challenges for manufacturers expanding within India, potentially requiring separate registration processes for each location even if the products were already registered. * **Labeling at Customs:** Foreign manufacturers may have faced difficulties in immediately complying with labeling requirements at ports. * **Highly Specialized Equipment:** The original policy may have inadvertently included highly specialized equipment for which compulsory registration was deemed unnecessary and burdensome. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This amendment introduces three key changes: * **Deferred Application for New Manufacturing Locations:** * **Original Policy Change:** This adds a provision to Paragraph 5 in the original order by inserting Paragraph 6. * **New Rule:** Manufacturers already registered can defer the application of the order for six months for goods manufactured at new locations within India, provided the new location falls under the same manufacturer's responsibility and the product type/model is already covered under their existing registration. * **Effect:** This allows manufacturers to begin production at new locations without immediate compliance, provided certain conditions are met, streamlining expansion and reducing administrative hurdles. * **Labeling at Custom Ports:** * **Original Policy Change:** This introduces a new provision for labeling. * **New Rule:** A three-month transition period from the product category's order effective date is granted to representatives of foreign manufacturing units with liaison/branch offices in India to affix the Standard Mark at ports for customs clearance, assuming the product has Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) registration. * **Effect:** This provides foreign manufacturers a grace period to adapt their labeling processes, facilitating smoother import procedures. * **Exemption for Highly Specialized Equipment (HSE):** * **Original Policy Change:** This introduces an exemption for a new category of equipment. * **New Rule:** HSE, manufactured or imported in quantities less than 100 units per model per year, is exempted if it meets *any* of the following criteria: * Powered by three-phase power supply. * Powered by single-phase power supply with a current rating exceeding 16 Ampere. * Dimensions exceeding 1.5 m x 0.8 m. * Weight exceeding 80 Kg. * **Effect:** This removes the regulatory burden of compulsory registration for specialized equipment used in smaller quantities that meet specific power, size, or weight criteria. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience includes: * Manufacturers of electronics and information technology goods registered under the Compulsory Registration Order, especially those expanding operations within India. * Foreign manufacturers importing these goods into India. * Manufacturers and importers of highly specialized electronic and IT equipment. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and potentially the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). * **Timelines:** * Six-month deferral for new manufacturing locations (subject to conditions). * Three-month transition period for labeling at customs, starting from the effective date of the order for the specific product category. * Manufacturers intending to utilize the deferred application provision will likely need to notify or provide documentation to BIS demonstrating compliance with the specified conditions (same manufacturer, same product type). **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcomes of these amendments are likely to be: * Reduced regulatory burden and streamlined processes for manufacturers establishing new locations within India. * Facilitation of imports of electronics and IT goods by providing a grace period for labeling compliance. * A more targeted application of compulsory registration, focusing on mass-produced goods and avoiding unnecessary burden on specialized equipment. * Potential increase in domestic manufacturing due to the eased registration process. **9. Conclusion:** The amendments to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods Requirements for Compulsory Registration Order, 2021, represent a significant step towards refining and streamlining the regulatory framework. By providing flexibility for manufacturers establishing new locations, easing labeling requirements at customs, and exempting highly specialized equipment, these amendments aim to reduce unnecessary burdens, facilitate trade, and promote the growth of the electronics and IT manufacturing sector in India. The specific timelines and criteria outlined in the amendment are crucial for stakeholders to understand and adhere to for seamless implementation.

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