What this document is
IS 16046 (Part 2):2018/IEC 62133-2:2017 is the safety standard for portable sealed secondary lithium cells and batteries under MeitY’s Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. The standard requires the rated capacity to be declared on the cell or battery.
On 3 February 2026 MeitY issued an order (No. W-47/14/2024-IPHW) noting complaints of misdeclared capacity. It requires rated capacity to be measured by the method in clause 7.3.1 of IS 16047 (Part 3) and reported for compliance under IS 16046 (Part 2). It asked BIS to revise the test report format and issue guidelines.
On 10 February 2026 the BIS Registration Department issued this four-page guideline to put the order into effect. MeitY’s order is attached as an annexure. The guideline took effect immediately.
Key dates
- 3 February 2026: MeitY order on measuring rated capacity.
- 10 February 2026: BIS guideline issued, in force immediately.
- 30 April 2027: deadline for licences valid up to that date, and the last date for grants without the capacity result.
- 1 May 2027: MeitY’s date for the requirement to apply to new registrations, inclusions and renewals.
MeitY’s order also says existing registrations stay valid for their validity period, provided surveillance samples show rated capacity within the specified limits.
Existing licensees
- If the licence is valid up to 30 April 2027, show compliance with clause 7.3.1 by 30 April 2027. If it is valid beyond that, show compliance by the last date of validity of the licence.
- Submit test reports from a third-party laboratory for every lead model in the licence. Generate the test request through LIMS under IS 16046 (Part 2) and apply online through the Standard Revision/Amendment/Essential Requirement module.
- The laboratory cites the test report number under which the models were tested for safety to IS 16046 (Part 2), and reports the measured capacity under Clause 4 of the modified unified test report format.
- Give an undertaking that the remaining models also comply with clause 7.3.1.
- If this is not done by the applicable date, BIS may suspend or cancel the licence, or remove models from it.
New applicants and changes in scope
- Applications whose samples were already at the laboratory, or whose reports were already issued, are processed without the extra test.
- Applications in process under IS 16046 (Part 2) continue, with an undertaking to submit the capacity report by the last date of licence validity.
- After 30 April 2027, no licence is granted under IS 16046 (Part 2) unless the test report includes the rated capacity result.
- Changes in scope follow the applicant rules.
What the test is
The test is clause 7.3.1 of IS 16047 (Part 3):2018/IEC 61960-3:2017, discharge performance at 20 °C (rated capacity). The guideline covers lithium cells and batteries under IS 16046 (Part 2). It does not mention nickel systems under IS 16046 (Part 1). Our guide to battery testing under IS 16046 and UN 38.3 covers the laboratory side.
Status
The guideline is current. Plan capacity tests for lead models before 30 April 2027, or before your licence’s validity ends if that is later. Grouping of cells and batteries into a series still follows the Phase II series guidelines.