BIS Issues New Guidelines for IS 16333 Amendment on Indian Language Support in Mobile Phones

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued updated implementation guidelines for Amendment No. 1 to IS 16333 (Part 3):2022, which outlines the Indian language support requirements for mobile phone handsets.

This amendment, officially notified on 30th May 2025, aims to improve language accessibility and promote multilingual support in India’s mobile phone ecosystem.

Key Update in Amendment No. 1

According to the revised Clause 6, all mobile phones must now come with an instruction manual provided in one of the following formats:

Printed format, or

Digital format, such as an online user guide or a QR code.

In addition to the requirements outlined in Clause 5.1 of IS 16333 (Part 1), the manual should provide all necessary user information.

Compliance Timeline

The earlier version of IS 16333 (Part 3):2022 (without Amendment No. 1) remains valid only until 19th September 2025.

All registered manufacturers and applicants are required to implement this amendment in full prior to the specified deadline.

Action Points for Mobile Phone Manufacturers

• Revise the user manual format in accordance with the updated Clause 6, either in print or digital form.

• Clearly indicate digital access methods (QR code/URL) on packaging if using digital manuals.

• Notify BIS about any change in the format or delivery mode of the instruction manual.

Why This Amendment Matters

This update reflects BIS’s ongoing commitment to linguistic inclusivity in India’s growing mobile handset market. With increasing smartphone penetration, this regulation ensures that Indian language support is accessible to all users, regardless of region or literacy level.

Need Help with BIS Compliance?

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