Control and switch gears

Control and switch gears for circuits not exceeding 1,000 volts

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 15787

HSN 8536 50 10 (control and switch gears) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 15787:2008 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 1 July 2024, by virtue of the Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023. Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) requirements administered by the Department of Telecommunications apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay for any telecom-notified variants within this tariff line.

What this is

HSN code

8536 50 10

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 15787:2008 · effective 01-07-2024

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 15787:2008. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope (switch-socket-outlet type and size class), and licensed manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 43(E) dated 01-01-2024
2
Confirm the applicable enforcement-date tier for the enterprise size of your supplier: general manufacturers from 01-07-2024, small enterprises from 01-10-2024, and micro enterprises from 01-01-2025. Consignments from a supplier whose tier-specific date has not yet passed are not subject to the BIS QCO obligation.
Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 43(E) dated 01-01-2024 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
Ensure each unit bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number under licence per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product itself; marking limited to packaging alone does not satisfy the requirement.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023
4
Determine whether the imported control or switch gear falls within the List of Telecom Products notified under MTCTE. If so, obtain the mandatory MTCTE certification from the Department of Telecommunications before import; this is an independent overlay and does not substitute for BIS CM/L compliance.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 · DoT Notification TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 as amended vide F.No.5-2/2021-TC/TEC/131 dated 13-06-2022 and F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC(Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry and retain the ISI-mark conformity documentation. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched CM/L triggers consignment detention, demurrage, and potential re-export or confiscation.
BIS Act, 2016 · Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The most common compliance failure on this tariff line is ignoring the staggered enforcement calendar: the BIS QCO obligation under IS 15787:2008 activated on 01-07-2024 for general manufacturers, 01-10-2024 for small enterprises, and 01-01-2025 for micro enterprises. Importers routinely source from a supplier whose enterprise-size category triggers a later compliance date and assume the later date applies to the import — it does not; the operative date is the supplier's enterprise classification, and a consignment shipped after the relevant date without a current CM/L is non-compliant regardless of when the purchase order was placed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8536 50 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Control and switch gears under this tariff line must conform to IS 15787:2008 under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 01-07-2024 for general manufacturers; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant product scope and facility.

Do MTCTE requirements apply alongside the BIS QCO?

Potentially. If the control or switch gear variant falls within the List of Telecom Products notified under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment framework, DoT certification is required as an independent overlay; its presence or absence does not affect the BIS CM/L obligation under the Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023.

Are small and micro enterprise suppliers subject to a different enforcement date?

Yes. The BIS QCO obligation under S.O. 43(E) activated on 01-10-2024 for small enterprises and 01-01-2025 for micro enterprises; consignments from suppliers in those size classes shipped after the relevant date must bear a current CM/L.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all switch-socket-outlet types and sizes?

No. The CM/L is scope-specific by product type, size class, and manufacturing facility; variants outside the licensed scope or produced at an unlicensed plant are not covered, and customs detains the consignment on a scope mismatch.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-18. Source: BIS / Indian Customs CUSDATA.