Mobile phone makers have got a breather with the Bureau of Indian Standards notifying its decision to allow digital labels, indicating the registration number and BIS trademark, instead of physical ones on the device.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had earlier, under the Compulsory Registration Scheme, asked handset manufacturers to put physical labels of registration numbers and BIS approval mark on the body of handset.

Phone makers, through the Indian Cellular Association (ICA), had opposed the move on grounds that putting physical label would not be possible on a small device such as mobile phone.

The ICA in response to this order had proposed e-labelling as an alternative way. An e-label would allow manufacturers display the registration standards and BIS mark digitally as opposed to a physical label.

Lack of space on the phone to place labels was the main reason for proposing this is an alternative way. Pankaj Mohindoroo, President of the ICA, also said, “Mobile handsets are designed for a global consumer base and hence the domestic regulatory requirements should take into account these aspects.” He also said that adding physical labels would have affected the aesthetic appeal of the mobile phones.

The Ministry had then set up an ‘e-labelling’ committee in July 2017 to arrive at a solution following which the revised requirements accepting e-labels and gave the handset makers an option to choose between e-labels and physical labels.

Revised norms

The revised guidelines also instructed handset makers to ensure that time of import, storage for sale and sale or distribution were mentioned on a physical label. Also, the instructions on how to access product-related information on the e-labels should be provided on the websites of manufacturers.

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