India Eases Import Rules For Key AC, Fridge Parts To Avert Summer Shortage
As per government rules, it is mandatory for brands to procure ACs and refrigerators components from BIS-approved factories.
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The Union government has eased the import restrictions for key components used in air conditioners and refrigerators to prevent potential summer shortage of these appliances, providing a huge relief to local manufacturers facing mounting supply-chain challenges.
The Bureau of Indian Standards' certification will be exempted on imports of inner grooved copper tubes till June 30, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade said In a circular on Monday.
NDTV Profit has reviewed the circular, which is not made public yet. In November, the government had waived certification norms for three months.
It has also lifted the BIS certification for AC compressors of two tonnes and above till Feb. 10, 2026. Similar exemption is also being actively considered by the government for refrigerator compressors and AC compressors with capacity of less than 2 tonnes, said industry executives.
As per government rules, it is mandatory for brands to procure ACs and refrigerators components from BIS-approved factories. NDTV Profit had reported earlier that the BIS certification of many vendors, particularly in China, either lapsed or was nearing expiring. However, the BIS is not re-certifying these factories to promote local manufacturing, raising concerns about a massive shortage of air-conditioners ahead of peak summer.
Companies, through their industry bodies, have been pushing the government for exemption on BIS till local capacities come up. An industry executive said this extension came as a huge relief, given that 40% of components used in making ACs are still sourced from China.
Earlier this month, the white goods industry had warned that AC production would take a hit in April due to component shortage.
Companies like Voltas, Blue Star, Godrej Appliances and Panasonic, and even contract manufacturers like Epack Durables Ltd., which make ACs for firms like Samsung, Lloyd and LG, have inventories to meet moderate demand increases of 25–30%. But a sharper spike like the 60% surge seen last season can lead to an out-of-stock situation, they had said.
The BIS approval for Wanbao Group, a Chinese refrigerator compressor manufacturer, lapsed in February. Approvals of Anhui Meizhi Compressor Co. and Highly Group's Shanghai plant will expire in July. The BIS has also not renewed approvals for other former Chinese suppliers, including Jiaxipera Compressor Co. and Avic Electromechanical Co.
