Customers buying smartphone screen protectors in India may see some changes in the market in the coming months. The government has brought screen protectors under the mandatory BIS registration framework. As a result, manufacturers and importers will need to ensure that their products meet the prescribed quality standards.

The new rules will come into effect on April 1, 2027. The changes could have a greater impact on low-cost screen protectors currently available in the market. The government aims to establish clear quality standards for this category and make it easier for consumers to identify products that comply with the required standards.

Screen Protector Rules to Change From 2027

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) included smartphone screen protectors under the mandatory registration framework through an amendment issued on September 21, 2026.

Under the amendment, IS 19348:2025, titled “Glass Screen Protector — Specification,” has been designated as the applicable Indian Standard for screen protectors.

The new provisions will take effect on April 1, 2027. Once the rules come into force, screen protectors covered by the regulations will have to meet the requirements specified under the applicable Indian Standard.

What Does IS 19348:2025 Cover?

The IS 19348:2025 standard covers requirements related to the quality, dimensions and strength of glass screen protectors. It also sets requirements for various protective features and coatings used in screen protectors.

These include:

  • Adhesive materials
  • Anti-shatter films
  • Oleophobic coatings
  • Anti-glare coatings
  • Blue-light filters
  • Privacy layers

This means manufacturers will need to ensure that the materials used in their screen protectors, along with the relevant features, comply with the prescribed standards.

How Will the New Rules Affect Consumers?

Once the BIS rules come into effect, the range of screen protectors available in the Indian market could change. Products that complete the required certification process will carry the relevant BIS marking and registration information.

This will make it easier for consumers to determine whether a screen protector complies with the applicable Indian standards.

The impact could be more noticeable in the budget segment, as some low-cost products may need to undergo additional testing and certification before they can continue to be sold in the Indian market.

Could Screen Protector Prices Increase?

Manufacturers and importers may have to spend more on testing, certification and other compliance-related processes to meet the new requirements.

These additional costs could potentially affect the prices of some products. However, the government notification does not include any mandatory provision requiring an increase in the retail price of screen protectors.

With the rules set to take effect on April 1, 2027, manufacturers and importers still have time to prepare their products, testing procedures and supply chains to meet the new BIS requirements.