Smartphone users in India may soon notice a change in the way screen protectors are manufactured and sold. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has included Glass Screen Protector – Specification, under IS 19348:2025, in the list of products covered by the compulsory registration framework for electronics and information technology goods.
According to the latest information published by BIS, the new requirement for screen protectors for smartphones is scheduled to come into effect from 1 April 2027. This has led to social media posts claiming that the government will “ban” smartphone screen protectors. However, the official information describes a compulsory standards and registration requirement rather than a complete ban on screen protectors.
What Has the Government Changed?
The BIS official list of electronics and IT products under the Compulsory Registration Scheme now includes Screen Protectors for Smartphones as item number 66.
The product is linked to the Indian Standard IS 19348:2025, titled Glass Screen Protector – Specification. BIS records show that the relevant amendment to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021, was notified through S.O. 5190(E) dated 21 September 2026.
The official BIS list identifies the implementation date as 1 April 2027.
The Government Banning Screen Protectors?
No. The official information does not describe a complete prohibition on smartphone screen protectors.
Instead, screen protectors covered by the new requirement will have to meet the applicable Indian Standard and compulsory registration requirements after the implementation date.
Therefore, the statement “the government is banning all smartphone screen protectors from 2027” can be misleading. A more accurate description is that specified smartphone screen protectors will come under mandatory BIS requirements from 1 April 2027.
What Is IS 19348:2025?
IS 19348:2025 is the Indian Standard titled Glass Screen Protector – Specification.
BIS’s official Weekly Standard Bulletin records that this standard was published on 29 July 2025. It is a product specification developed for glass screen protectors.
The purpose of an Indian Standard is to establish defined requirements for a product. When a product is subsequently brought under a compulsory regulatory framework, compliance with the applicable standard becomes a legal requirement for the products covered by that regulation.
Why Is BIS Certification Important?
The Bureau of Indian Standards is India’s national standards body. BIS develops standards and operates conformity assessment and certification systems for products.
For products that are voluntarily covered by standards, compliance can be different from products that are specifically notified under a compulsory regulatory order. Once a product is brought under a compulsory requirement, the applicable legal and conformity requirements have to be followed.
BIS explains that technical regulations and compulsory requirements are intended to support objectives such as consumer safety, product quality and prevention of unfair trade practices.
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What Will Change From 1 April 2027?
The BIS official upcoming implementation list shows:
- Product: Glass Screen Protector
- Indian Standard: IS 19348:2025
- Product category: Screen Protectors for Smartphones
- Enforcement date: 1 April 2027
- Regulatory authority listed by BIS: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
This means that businesses involved with products covered by the notification will need to comply with the applicable BIS requirements once the order becomes enforceable.
Can Non-Compliant Screen Protectors Be Sold?
BIS explains the legal effect of compulsory product requirements under the BIS framework. For a product that has been notified for compulsory certification or registration, the applicable requirements must be fulfilled before the product can legally be manufactured, imported, distributed or sold in the manner covered by the relevant order.
Therefore, after the implementation date, businesses dealing with screen protectors covered by the order will need to ensure that their products comply with the applicable requirements.
What About Imported Screen Protectors?
The compulsory regulatory framework is relevant not only to products manufactured in India but also to applicable imported products, unless a specific exemption applies.
This is important because a large number of smartphone accessories available in the Indian market are manufactured outside India. Importers and businesses supplying covered screen protectors will therefore need to pay attention to the applicable BIS requirements before the implementation date.
What Does This Mean for Smartphone Users?
For ordinary smartphone users, there is no need to stop using screen protectors because of this announcement.
The regulatory change primarily affects the compliance requirements for products covered by the order. Consumers can continue to use screen protectors, while manufacturers, importers and sellers will need to follow the applicable requirements when the new rule becomes enforceable.
After the implementation date, consumers may also start seeing greater emphasis on compliant products and the required BIS-related information on products or packaging, depending on the applicable certification and marking requirements.
Will Every Type of Screen Protector Be Affected?
The BIS notification specifically identifies Screen Protectors for Smartphones and links the category to IS 19348:2025 – Glass Screen Protector – Specification.
Therefore, it is better not to assume that every type of display-protection accessory in the market is automatically covered. The exact scope of the applicable standard and notification should be checked before making claims about products such as plastic films, hydrogel films or other specialised display-protection products.
Content creators and sellers should rely on the final applicable notification and BIS documentation rather than treating every screen-protection product as automatically covered.
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Why Are Social Media Claims Causing Confusion?
The phrase “screen protector ban” is much easier to use in a social media headline, but it does not accurately explain the regulatory change.
The official BIS documents show that the change is connected with a compulsory registration requirement and the Indian Standard for glass screen protectors. The important date is 1 April 2027.
Therefore, headlines such as “All Smartphone Screen Protectors Banned From 2027” can create unnecessary confusion among consumers.
A more accurate headline would be:
“BIS Rules for Smartphone Screen Protectors to Take Effect From 1 April 2027”
What Manufacturers and Sellers Should Know
Manufacturers, importers and sellers dealing with products covered by the notification should not wait until the last moment to understand the new requirements.
Businesses should check the applicable BIS standard, registration or certification procedure, product testing requirements, marking requirements and implementation provisions through official BIS and government channels.
The BIS framework provides conformity assessment and registration mechanisms for products covered by compulsory requirements. Businesses should use the official BIS systems and documentation rather than relying only on information circulated through social media.
Important Dates at a Glance
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Indian Standard | IS 19348:2025 |
| Standard Title | Glass Screen Protector – Specification |
| Standard Publication | 29 July 2025 |
| Product Category | Screen Protectors for Smartphones |
| Notification | S.O. 5190(E) |
| Notification Date | 21 September 2026 |
| Implementation Date | 1 April 2027 |
Conclusion
India is introducing a compulsory BIS requirement for smartphone screen protectors covered by the relevant notification. The applicable product standard is IS 19348:2025 – Glass Screen Protector – Specification, and BIS currently lists 1 April 2027 as the enforcement date.
This should not be described as a complete ban on smartphone screen protectors. Instead, the change means that products covered by the compulsory requirement will have to meet the prescribed Indian Standard and applicable BIS compliance requirements.
Consumers can continue using screen protectors, while manufacturers, importers and sellers should prepare for the new regulatory requirements before the implementation date. For the latest compliance details, businesses and consumers should refer to the official BIS notification, standards and certification information rather than relying on viral social media claims.
Official Sources
- Bureau of Indian Standards – Scheme II Compulsory Registration Scheme
- Bureau of Indian Standards – Upcoming Quality Control Orders and Implementation Dates
- Bureau of Indian Standards – Weekly Standard Bulletin, July 2025
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