India is experiencing a revolution in industries and everyday life with the Internet of Things. With the Internet of Things (IoT), India is undergoing an industrial and day-to-day life revolution as everything, including smart homes and industrial automation, becomes connectable. Nonetheless, not a single IoT gadget can be sold, imported, or installed in India without passing a very rigid regulatory process.

IoT device certification India is not only a mandatory procedure; this is the means to ensure security, interoperability, and trust in an extensively developing market. This guide reveals the process of receiving the WPC, BIS, and TEC approvals in detail, the key requirements, and the helpful hints that might be provided to transform the certification process into a pleasant experience.

Why IoT Device Certification India Matters

With millions of connected devices transmitting sensitive data and operating in critical environments, the Indian government enforces strict standards for wireless, safety, and telecom compliance. IoT device certification India ensures:

• Devices operate safely and do not cause interference
• Data integrity and security are maintained
• Market access is legal and seamless
• Consumer and industrial users can trust the technology

Failure to comply can result in product bans, fines, shipment seizures, and reputational damage.

The Three Pillars of IoT Device Certification India

For most IoT products, three main certifications are required:

1. WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) Approval – For wireless and RF compliance
2. BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) Certification – For safety and electronic standards
3. TEC (Telecommunication Engineering Center) Certification – For telecom network equipment

Let’s explore each in detail.

1. WPC Certification for IoT Devices

WPC certification is mandatory for any device that uses wireless communication (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, LoRa, etc.) in India. The WPC, under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), ensures all wireless devices operate within authorized frequency bands and power levels.

Products Requiring WPC Approval

• Smart home devices (bulbs, sensors, hubs)
• Wearables and health trackers
• Industrial IoT gateways
• Smart meters and RFID devices
• Drones and wireless-enabled appliances

WPC Certification Process

Step 1: Identify Frequency Band

• Identify whether your device is on a licensed or unlicensed band (most IoT equipment is unlicensed, e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz).

Step 2: RF Testing

• Transfer your device to a WPC-approved or NABL-certified testing laboratory and have a radiation test performed there.
• New Delhi will require an RF test report certifying to the Indian standards.

Step 3: ETA (Equipment Type Approval) Application

• Submit the RF test report and application to WPC for ETA (for unlicensed bands).
• WPC reviews and grants ETA for compliant devices.

Step 4: Import License (If Applicable)

• For imported devices, apply for a WPC Import License.
• Appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) if you are a foreign manufacturer.

Step 5: Marking and Documentation

• Maintain all approval documents for customs and regulatory checks.

Benefits of WPC Certification:

• Legal import, manufacture, and sale of wireless devices
• Prevention of radio interference
• Enhanced market credibility and trust1

2. BIS Certification for IoT Devices

BIS certification identifies that the electronic and IT products conform to the safety and Indian standards of quality. A large number of IoT devices are required to be registered under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), which has an increasing range of electronic products.

How to obtain BIS certificate for iot device in India

Step 1: Identify Product Category

• Determine whether your IoT device will be posted on the CRS or any other BIS scheme.

Step 2: Application and Documentation

• Sign up in the BIS CRS portal.
• Send product, manufacturing, and business activity details.
• Sourcing of necessary documents: self-declaration of conformity, third-party laboratory tests report, manufacturing information, and authorized signatory information.

Step 3: Product Testing

• Send sample items of the product to a BIS-approved (NABL recognized) lab.
• Get a test report, indicating conformity to Indian standards.

Step 4: Submit Application

• Submit for uploading the application and test report in the BIS portal.
• Settle the necessary fees.

Step 5: Review and Grant

• BIS checks the application and test report.
• On acceptance, accept the BIS registration certificate

Step 6: Marking and Ongoing Compliance

• Mark the product with the BIS Standard Mark (CRS or ISI).
• Maintain records and renew certification as required.

How to obtain a BIS certificate for an IoT device in India is a structured process, but working with experienced testing partners like Sunren can streamline documentation and testing, reducing time to market.

3. TEC Certification for IoT Devices

TEC certification is mandatory for any telecom equipment connecting to public networks in India, including many IoT gateways, routers, and communication modules.

TEC Certification Process

Step 1: Product Classification

• Determine if your IoT device falls under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) list.

Step 2: Testing

• Submit your device to a TEC-designated, NABL-accredited lab for testing against Essential Requirements (ERs).

Step 3: Application Submission

• Register on the TEC portal and submit the application, technical documentation, and test reports.

Step 4: Review and Grant

• TEC reviews the submission and, if compliant, issues the TEC certificate.

Step 5: Marking and Maintenance

• Mark the product with the TEC label and maintain compliance records.

Benefits:

• Legal for use in Indian telecom networks
• Ensures interoperability, safety, and network security
• Required for both imported and locally manufactured equipment

Additional IoT Device Certification Schemes

IoT System Certification Scheme (IoTSCS)

IoT System Certification Scheme (IoTSCS), managed by STQC of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, performs the three-level assessment of IoT products and systems with the following three areas, i.e., physical security, communication security, and application security. The scheme is particular to devices that process sensitive information or introduce vital infrastructure.

Key Technical Aspects of IoT Device Certification in India

• Security: Encryption, authentication, and secure communication protocols (AES, TLS/SSL, PKI)
• Interoperability: Abidance with the network regulations (LoRa, Zigbee, NB-IoT, 5G)
• Energy Efficiency: Low-power and optimized-battery operation standards Energy Efficiency: Optimized battery operation and low-power operation standards
• Data Standards: Common data formats (JSON, XML), REST APIs, semantic interoperability
• Compliance Testing EMI/EMC, environmental, safet,y and spectrum allocation
• Cloud/Edge Integration: Common OTA update and fog computing capabilities to be run efficiently

Practical Tips for Smooth IoT Device Certification India

• Begin Early: Plan compliance. Incorporate compliance planning in new product development to eliminate launch delays.
• Select Accredited Testing Labs: Select the NABL-accredited testing facility, such as Sunren, to test RF, safety, and telecom.
• Documentation: Ensure that all test reports, applications, or certificates are well documented.
• Keep Track of Regulatory Changes: Keep up to date with developments in BIS, WPC, and TEC requirements.
• Make use of Local Experts: In case of a foreign manufacturer, get an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) of previous experience.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

• Compound Rules: IoT in India is a multilateral process with constantly reforming purposes. To get through it, it may be advisable to engage the services of compliance experts.
• Delay of Tests: A surge of tests at accredited labs may cause a delay. Schedule ahead of time and reserve places in advance.
• Product Updates: Re-testing and re-certification may be required of a product in the case of any hardware change, firmware, or wireless module change.
• Several Certifications: Certain devices might need the three approvals (WPC, BIS, TEC). Organize the applications to eliminate any bottlenecks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which IoT certification is best?

The most recommended IoT certification will be based on your purpose; some of the common ones are the ISO/IEC 30141, CTIA IoT, and GSMA IoT Security.

What is IoT device certification?

It refers to the act of ensuring that an IoT device conforms to regulatory, safety, and interoperability standards.

Is STQC certification mandatory?

Certain categories include biometric, e-governance devices, and other notified categories by the government of India; they have to be STQC certified.

What are the 4 levels of IoT security?

These levels are device security, network security, data security, and application security

Conclusion

The certification of the IoT devices in India is a multi-agency, multi-step procedure that makes your product safe, legal, and ready to use in India. Having learned about the possibilities of obtaining the BIS certificate of an IoT device in India, the process of approving WPC and TEC requirements, manufacturers will be able to spend less time and money on the compliance process and gain consumer trust faster, as well as prevent the failures caused by regulatory compliance. When you are well prepared, have officially tested partners, and keep yourself updated on the latest information, your IoT innovations can boom in one of the most innovative digital economies in the world.