The recent guidelines from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for the implementation of parallel testing of electronics and IT hardware products could lead to significant time savings of 4 to 13 weeks in the compliance process, according to statements from an industry body. The BIS, on January 9, made the pilot project on parallel testing a permanent provision, encompassing a total of 64 products under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS).

Manufacturers now have the option to voluntarily adopt parallel testing, a process that, when chosen, not only streamlines compliance but also expedites the go-to-market strategy compared to the traditional sequential testing method. Suhail Zaidi, Director General of the industry body MAIT, emphasized that this voluntary adoption enhances business efficiency, enabling companies to introduce advanced products to consumers more rapidly.

MAIT had previously determined that the adoption of a parallel testing methodology could result in a time-saving of 4 to 13 weeks in the compliance process. The BIS initially introduced guidelines for parallel testing in December 2022 as a pilot project for mobile phones, later extending it to include wireless earphones, headphones, laptops, notebooks, and tablets.

Under the parallel testing methodology, manufacturers can send all components requiring registration for testing simultaneously at any BIS lab. The lab will test the first component, issue a test report, and this information will be referenced in subsequent test reports for other components and the final product.