BIS certification for India: Indian government cancels Scheme X

Scheme X, or Omnibus Technical Regulations (OTR), was the Indian regulation on the safety of machinery and electrical equipment, introduced with the notification S.O. 3649(E) of August 28, 2024. On January 14, 2026, the Indian Government repealed it with immediate effect and it is no longer mandatory.

The OTR regulation was annulled on January 14, 2026, with immediate effect. The decision was formalized with an official order issued by the Ministry of Heavy Industries of the Government of India. The annulment concerns the notification S.O. 3649(E), published on August 28, 2024, which had introduced the requirement.

No, machines previously covered by the X Scheme (OTR) no longer require BIS certification to be exported to India. The requirement has lapsed with the repeal of the regulation. However, it remains necessary to verify that the products do not fall under other BIS schemes that are still active and valid for other categories.

The Indian Government has repealed the OTR to simplify the regulatory landscape and reduce administrative and compliance burdens for companies. The measure is part of policies to facilitate business and improve the competitiveness of the industrial sector. For exporters, it means fewer obligations for machinery previously covered by the scheme.

No, the cancellation only applies to Schema X (OTR) for electrical machinery and equipment. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) continues to issue various types of certification based on the product category and the applicable regulatory scheme, so many products remain subject to certification requirements for entry into the Indian market.

The product category and the applicable BIS scheme must be verified, because the Bureau of Indian Standards issues different certifications based on these elements. After the cancellation of the X Scheme, verification is especially useful for machinery. Octagona offers customized advice to assess the need for certification.