Prime Minister Narendra Modi is optimistic about the electronics hardware manufacturing industry in India, which the government hopes could be worth $300 billion by 2026, and is therefore pushing to remove obstacles entrepreneurs face.
To expedite the safety certifications for new electronic devices, India will attempt a technique of simultaneous testing; an industry association told Reuters on Friday. It might help companies like Samsung and Apple meet their deadlines for releasing their products.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi optimistic about the electronics hardware manufacturing industry, his government aims to be worth $300 billion by 2026. The move comes as India scrambles to ease impediments faced by enterprises.
The current average time to test and certify items like wireless earbuds and smartphones is between 16 and 21 weeks. Still, trying multiple components of the devices simultaneously might shorten that time by as much as 5–8 weeks.
According to MAIT’s official statement, “for industry, it is directly related with ease of doing business,” while for consumers, “this will result in speedier access to the latest products.”
Members include international and Indian companies with a presence in India’s thriving electronics, telecom, and IT markets, including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi.
The organization also mentioned that the testing body, the Bureau of Indian Standards, “had consented to a trial initiative where some identified electrical hardware devices shall be undergoing simultaneous testing” to reduce testing times.
Executives believe it can take up to 16 weeks for a new Apple AirPods model to test in India due to the testing process’s complexity. The charging case and its components must get clearance before the earbuds are reviewed.
It could take up to 21 weeks to manufacture a smartphone and all its components. According to a person familiar with the situation, the pilot decision takes after a closed-door meeting between BIS, MAIT officials, and companies like Apple and Samsung on Wednesday.
Requests for comment from Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi went unanswered at the time of publication. The BIS and the IT ministry silenced Reuters’ requests for comment.
MAIT predicts that earbuds will be the first gadgets to undergo accelerated testing, with the government deciding to do so for additional items later.
According to CyberMedia Research’s head of the Industry Intelligence Group, Prabhu Ram, the government’s faster safety and quality clearances will increase India’s competitiveness in electronics.
According to Ram, the approach advises technology firms in India “would considerably cut the waiting period to get your hands on the latest items” for Indian consumers.
All electrical and electronic goods sold in India, whether manufactured there or abroad, are subject to mandatory BIS safety testing.
Companies like Xiaomi and Samsung, which sell the most smartphones in India and have a combined market share of 46%, and Apple, which is second only to Samsung in the luxury category, will benefit significantly from the decision.
Statistics showed that Apple was the global leader for high-end wireless earbuds, while the Indian business boAt held the top spot in India.