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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has made it mandatory for all television sets to comply with the new specifications outlined in IS 18112:2022, focusing on Digital Television Receivers for Satellite Broadcast Transmission. This standard ensures that televisions sold in India are capable of receiving digital satellite Free-To-Air (FTA) TV and Radio signals. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what this new regulation entails and how manufacturers and stakeholders can prepare.

What is IS 18112:2022?

The IS 18112:2022 standard specifies the requirements for Digital Television (DTV) receivers to ensure compatibility with digital satellite Free-To-Air (FTA) TV and Radio transmissions. This means that all televisions must be equipped to handle these signals to provide enhanced viewing experiences for consumers, including clearer picture quality and a broader range of channels without the need for a set-top box.

Why is IS 18112:2022 Important?

With the rise in digital content and satellite TV transmission, the Indian government aims to standardize the capabilities of television sets to ensure they are future-ready. By implementing this standard, the government aims to:

● Ensure that all TV sets are equipped to receive Free-To-Air satellite broadcasts.

● Enhance consumer experience with better accessibility to digital content.

● Align Indian standards with global requirements, ensuring quality and compatibility.

Key Implementation Guidelines for IS 18112:2022

Here’s what manufacturers and stakeholders need to know about the new guidelines:

1. Mandatory Compliance for Digital TV Receivers

MeitY, through an Order dated 26 April 2023, mandated that the requirements for Digital Television Receivers for Satellite Broadcast Transmission under IS 18112:2022 must be followed. The last date for compliance is 25 April 2025. Post this deadline, only televisions meeting these standards will be allowed to carry the BIS Standard Mark.

2. Existing Licenses for Televisions

For manufacturers already holding licenses under IS 616:2017/IEC 60065:2014, which covers safety requirements for Plasma, LCD, and LED televisions:

● All existing TV sets must now also comply with IS 18112:2022.

● Manufacturers need to apply for an inclusion of the IS 18112:2022 specifications under their existing licenses.

●This can be done following the ‘Guidelines for Change in Scope of Licence (CSoL)’ under Scheme II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

3. Timeline for Compliance

The transition is time-bound, with specific deadlines:

● 25 April 2025: The final deadline for compliance. After this date, TV models that only comply with IS 616:2017/IEC 60065:2014 will be removed from the scope of the existing license.

●  Manufacturers who fail to update their licenses with the new requirements by this date may face license cancellation.

● 25 March 2025: This is the last date to process applications under the old guidelines before the final implementation of IS 18112:2022.

4. New Applications for License

For manufacturers seeking a new license for Plasma, LCD, or LED TVs, the process will include compliance with both:

● IS 616:2017/IEC 60065:2014 for safety requirements.

● IS 18112:2022 for Digital TV receiver specifications.

This requires submitting a new application as per the ‘Guidelines for Grant of Licence (GoL)’ under Scheme II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

Application Handling and License Scope

The new guidelines outline a detailed process for managing applications and inclusions:

1. Pending Applications: Applications submitted under IS 616:2017/IEC 60065:2014 will be accepted only until 25 March 2025. If these applications do not comply with the additional IS 18112 requirements by 25 April 2025, the models will face cancellation.
   
2. Inclusions in Existing Licenses: Any inclusion requests for IS 616:2017/IEC 60065:2014 will also only be accepted until 25 March 2025. Post-deadline, all pending inclusion requests that do not comply with IS 18112 will be automatically rejected.
   
3. New and Existing Models: Post 25 April 2025, any television model must incorporate both standards to be legally available in the Indian market.
   

Labeling and Standard Mark

To simplify the identification of compliant TV sets:

● The BIS Standard Mark will cover compliance with both IS 616:2017/IEC 60065:2014 and IS 18112:2022.

●  A single license number will be displayed below the Standard Mark, covering both standards.

● This ensures clarity for consumers, who can easily verify that a TV set meets both safety and digital satellite broadcast requirements.

What Manufacturers Need to Do

To ensure compliance with the new standards, manufacturers should:

1. Review Existing Licenses: Ensure that all models meet the safety requirements of IS 616:2017/IEC 60065:2014 and the new digital reception standards of IS 18112:2022.
   
2. Apply for Inclusion: If you are an existing licensee, submit an inclusion request to cover the new standards by following the ‘Change in Scope of Licence (CSoL)’ guidelines.
   
3. Prepare for New Applications: If you plan to introduce new models, ensure your application covers both standards from the outset.
   
4. Monitor Deadlines: Adhere to key dates to avoid license cancellations or rejections.
   

Conclusion

The implementation of IS 18112:2022 is a major step in modernizing television standards in India, ensuring a better viewing experience for consumers while aligning Indian products with global norms. Manufacturers have ample time until 25 April 2025 to adjust and ensure compliance, but early preparation is recommended to avoid last-minute challenges. This initiative marks a new era of digital content accessibility and safety, contributing to the overall improvement of India's consumer electronics sector.

For more detailed information, manufacturers and stakeholders are advised to refer to the Conformity Assessment Scheme II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, and stay updated with guidelines from MeitY and BIS.