Indian smartphone industry poised for stable growth this year

Although the Indian smartphone industry has faced some obstacles due to the corona pandemic and semiconductor shortages, the industry is confident about this year. For example, estimates suggest that between 190 and 200 million devices could be shipped in 2022, many of them with 5G functionality. The increase in sales is attributed by experts to the continuation of working from home and that more time in general is being spent at home and therefore with a smartphone. For example, Counterpoint Research market researcher Shilpi Jain said the Indian smartphone market has seen steady growth over the past five years, with around 158 million devices sold in 2019. Although Jain said the market saw a slight decline due to the Covid 19 pandemic, she expects robust growth this year and a surpassing of the 200 million devices shipped mark this year. The prerequisite for the production and sale of smartphones on the Indian market is BIS certification, which is mandatory for many of the components and production equipment. In addition, TEC certification is also required for wireless products.

Analysts at CyberMedia Research (CMR) have a similarly positive view, with estimated smartphone shipments in the range of 187 million to 190 million devices this year. Smartphones with 5G functionality will see particular growth, according to CMR’s Anand Priya Singh. For state-of-the-art devices, she projects an increase to 64 million devices in 2022. That would represent 129 percent growth from the 28 million devices in the previous year. For the general smartphone market in India, Singh could see growth of 11 percent between 2020 and 2021. The number of devices shipped increased from 150 million to about 167 million.

Although 5G networks are not yet available in India, industry experts nevertheless expect consumers to opt for a 5G-enabled device when making a new purchase. According to surveys, buying a new smartphone equipped with a 5G radio module is among the top 3 priorities of future users. Realme India CEO Madhav Sheth said conversations around the adoption of 5G technology have been happening since 2019 and smartphone manufacturers launched the first 5G devices in early 2020. Test runs for the 5G wireless network are scheduled for this year, and spectrum auctions are expected to take place in the second half of 2022. Realme CEO Sheth therefore expects demand for 5G smartphones to increase this year. Realme aims to be a leader in the deployment of 5G and will therefore equip all of its smartphones above a retail price of 15,000 Indian rupees with 5G radio modules, as well as work to offer the technology in devices below 10,000 Indian rupees, Sheth added.
Electronic components or finished electronic devices require BIS certification in order to import them into India or bring them to market. Here, a distinction is made between BIS-ISI or BIS-CRS certification, depending on the product. TEC is the abbreviation for Telecommunication Engineering Center. TEC is the competent authority in India when it comes to TEC certification for telecommunications products. From 1991 to 2019, TEC certification was still possible as a voluntary product registration, but now it is mandatory for many product groups. As the product list is constantly expanding, we are pleased to help you with a first assessment.
If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). There is no cost or obligation for us to check for you. If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.
If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)
For more information, please refer to our free brochures “BIS Certification Made Easy” and “TEC Certification Made Easy“.

The Indian Oil and Gas Industry – Outlook, Demand and Growth

The Indian oil and gas industry is one of eight key industries and plays an important role in decisions for other sectors of the local economy. According to the Indian Business Institute (IBEF), India is one of the world’s largest consumers of fossil fuels after the OECD countries. For instance, the import bill of crude oil into India grew massively from US$ 70.72 billion in 2016-17 to US$ 101.4 billion in 2019-20. With the subcontinent’s growing energy demand, this figure is likely to rise further in the future. Analysts predict that India’s energy demand will increase the most among all major economies. Experts expect India’s energy demand to double from 753.7 Mtoe in 2017 to 1,516 Mtoe by 2035, and India’s share of global energy consumption is estimated to double by 2035. Production facilities, refineries and equipment from the oil and gas industry usually require PESO certification to be approved for the Indian market.

From these figures, there will also be an increasing demand for refined petroleum products. The demand for oil in India will double by 2045 and then amount to 11 million barrels. The demand for diesel will also double between 2029 and 2030 to 163 MT. According to calculations, oil and gas will account for about 58 per cent of India’s oil demand in 2045. The consumption of natural gas in India will increase by nine per cent annually to 25 billion cubic metres by 2024. Due to the increasing demand for oil and gas, extraction, refining and other areas of this industry will also have to be expanded. Therefore, the demand for imported products in the oil and gas industry will also increase. According to the responsible minister, Pradhan, foreign investors have the opportunity to invest up to 300 billion US dollars in 2022. To this end, the Indian government has adopted the following supportive guidelines: Since July 2021, 100 per cent foreign direct investment is allowed in state-owned enterprises in the oil and gas sector. In addition, 100 per cent FDI is allowed in upstream projects and non-state refineries.

Therefore, the Indian oil and gas industry offers good opportunities for your company to provide services and products there or to produce locally. However, most equipment, plants and facilities have to undergo mandatory PESO certification. This is issued by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation of India. Relevant product groups or components are for example gas and pressure vessels, valves and fittings or safety equipment. The following link leads to a list of PESO certification mandatory products. The experts at MPR International GmbH are available to answer your questions about PESO certification or other India certifications without obligation for an initial assessment.

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). There is no cost or obligation for us to check for you. If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.
If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)
For more information about PESO certification, please refer to our free brochure “PESO Certification Made Easy“.

Kia expects 30 per cent increase in car sales in India next year

South Korean carmaker Kia is eyeing increased sales in India. The company expects sales to grow by 30 per cent in 2022 as the chip crisis in the auto market slowly eases. Towards the middle of the year, chips and semiconductors should become more available again and Kia India will be able to utilise the full capacity of its plant in India. To this end, the capacity of the Andhra Pradesh plant will be ramped up from the current 220,000 units (exports included) to 300,000 vehicles. The company is even planning to expand the existing plant to increase capacity by another 100,000 units. Cars and their components must obtain AIS (Automotive Industry Standards) certification in India before they can be used in the Indian market.

According to Kia India manager Tae-Jin Park, last year’s target figures had to be revised downwards due to the chip crisis. Nevertheless, with the situation easing and the launch of the new Kia Carens, a 25 to 30 per cent increase in sales should be possible this year, Park told the Economic Times of India. In the Indian car market, the Kia Carens is positioned between the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the market leader in minivans, the Toyota Innova. Insiders expect monthly sales of the Carens to be between 5,000 and 7,000 vehicles. Together with other Kia models, this could reach the targeted figures of 25,000 vehicles sold per month and the three-year target of 300,000 units annually.
Manager Park further said that the current production capacity is indeed 300,000 units but could be expanded to 400,000 units with automated manufacturing steps. Kia India will closely monitor the market and respond accordingly to higher demand, Park added. Moreover, Kia India is planning to launch an EV in the Indian market soon. The strategy for this will be announced in the first few months of 2022, Park said.
The AIS automotive product certifiation is conducted by authorities like the International Center for Automotive Technology (iCAT). Depending on the product category, there are different certification steps.
We will be happy to advise you on AIS certification in India and are always available to answer your questions.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details and consultation. You can contact us via e-mail, or call us (UK: +44 2071931135, Rest of Europe: +49 69 2713769261, US: +1 773 654-2673).
If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)
You can also check out our free AIS-Brochure, which can be downloaded right here as a PDF file.

BMW India sales up 34 per cent to 8,876 vehicles in 2021

In early January 2022, German carmaker BMW reported a record 34 per cent growth in sales figures last year. The figure marks a high within the last decade and is equivalent to 8,876 vehicles sold. In the passenger car segment, the luxury carmaker sold 8,236 cars of the core BMW brand and 640 units of its offshoot Mini in 2021. In addition, BMW sold 5,191 motorbikes in the previous year. Speaking to Economic Times India, BMW Group India President Vikram Pawah said his company has achieved this growth in market share due to adaptation to the market, greater flexibility as well as forward planning in business operations. He highlighted the attractiveness of BMW’s product range to the Indian market and increased customer loyalty through outstanding customer service. The import and of automotive products and components to India requires in many cases an AIS certification, so that the conformity of the products with the applicable Indian safety and quality standards is given.

According to BMW India, more than 40 per cent of the vehicles sold were the X1, X3 and X5 SUVs produced in the country. New models like the M340i xDrive, X7 and 3 Series Gran Sedan were in such high demand and sold out, creating long waiting times. At 102.5 per cent, the BMW Motorcycle Division was able to record even higher year-on-year growth than the Motor Vehicle Division. The G 310 R and G 310 S models together accounted for more than 90 per cent of all motorbikes sold. Other popular models last year, according to BMW, were also the S 1000 RR, R 1250 GS / GSA, F 900 R / XR and the R 18. Even the C 400 GT scooter, which only went on sale in the last quarter of 2022, generated satisfactory sales figures, BMW adds.

AIS stands for Automotive Industry Standards, the technical automotive standards for India, while TAC stands for Type Approval Certificate. This kind of automotive product certifiation is conducted by authorities like the International Center for Automotive Technology (iCAT).

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details and consultation. You can contact us via e-mail, or call us (UK: +44 2071931135, Rest of Europe: +49 69 2713769261, US: +1 773 654-2673).

If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)

You can also check out our free AIS-Brochure, which can be downloaded right here as a PDF file.

India has increased its photovoltaic capacity 17-fold in the last 7 years

This figure was announced by India during the COP26 climate summit, reports Business Today India. The total capacity of all installed photovoltaic systems currently stands at 45 gigawatts, a 17-fold increase over the past seven years. The Indian representative further informed that in the identical period, emissions from India have increased by only 4 per cent, even though its citizens make up 17 per cent of the global population. The figures come from the biennial report India submitted to the United Nations respectively its sub-agency UNFCCC most recently in February. J R Bhatt, India’s representative and an adviser to the environment ministry, said his country remained committed to climate change mitigation and minimising its impact. For instance, 15 per cent of total CO₂ emissions in 2016 were offset through reforestation activities. The report further states that between 2015 and 2019, forest areas increased by 13,031 sq km and mangrove areas increased by 235 sq km. The manufacture and operation of solar systems is largely dependent on obtaining BIS certifications for components and systems to be approved in India.

In other Business Today India news, India’s specific climate action is the continuation of the Green Grids Initiative, a programme to expand electricity grids and photovoltaic installations. The programme was launched at the Paris climate conference in 2015 by the International Solar Alliance of India and France. In November this year, state-owned power producer NPTC said an 80 MW photovoltaic plant in Jetsar, Rajasthan, had started commercial operation. The plant is the first part of a larger project with a total capacity of 160 MW.

Electronic components or finished electronic devices require BIS certification in order to import them into India or to place them on the market. Depending on the product, a distinction is made between BIS-ISI or BIS-CRS certification; for example, photovoltaic systems fall under CRS certification. As the product list is constantly being expanded, we will be pleased to help you with an initial assessment. MPR International GmbH – India Certification will support you with a pending BIS certification and is also available at any time to answer any questions you may have.

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone at +49-69-271 37 69 261. There is no cost or obligation for us to check for you. If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.
If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)
For more information about BIS certification, please refer to our free brochure “BIS Certification Made Easy“.

Indian electronics manufacturers expect massive growth within the next 3 to 4 years

With the covid crisis abating, the Indian government sees a unique opportunity to gain additional market share in the production of electronic equipment from other countries. “Every effort will be made to consolidate its position as a manufacturing hub in the electronics sector as well as to attract well-known companies to India,” Rajeev Chandrasekhar, minister for electronics and IT told the Economic Times of India. Moreover, India should continue to present itself as an innovative nation rather than just a low-cost manufacturing hub, the minister said while unveiling a report on strengthening Indian electronics exports and participation in global supply chains. A majority of all electronic products require BIS certifications in order to be imported into and used in India.

According to the minister, India has strengths in electronics and software development along with manufacturing expertise that few countries can boast of. The Secretary to the Minister, Ajay Sawheny, said that despite the sometimes severe impact of the pandemic, Indian industry was able to manufacture products worth 75 billion US dollars. Further, he said, there is an ambitious target to expand the amount to 250 billion within five years, which is a combined annual growth rate of 27 per cent. To achieve this, the ministry proposes various measures in its report. For example, production is to be expanded further and oriented more towards exports. The government is expected to reduce import duties on inputs and remove bureaucratic hurdles.

According to Chandrasekhar, India’s goal of becoming a globally important location for electronics products is currently more tangible than ever before. According to the minister’s rough estimates, the four big companies, Dell, Samsung, Apple and HP, generate around 650 billion US dollars annually. He sees no reason why at least 10 or 20 per cent of these products could not come from India. This would also increase the electronics sector’s contribution to India’s GDP from the current 3 per cent.
Electronic components or finished electronic devices need BIS certification to import them into India or put them on the market. Depending on the product, a distinction is made between BIS-ISI or BIS-CRS certification.

Since 2012, the BIS has been gradually expanding the certification catalog and continuously adding additional goods. BIS certification mandatory for many electronic products for industrial and consumer uses. Factory inspections are also required for some products.
If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone at +49-69-271 37 69 261. There is no cost or obligation for us to check for you. If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.
If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)
For more information about BIS certification, please refer to our free brochure “BIS Certification Made Easy“.

Price of gas cylinders continues to rise, now commercial customers also affected

The price of LPG in gas cylinders has risen again, this time by about 3 US dollars per 19 kg cylinder. However, private households can breathe easy in this price round; only commercial customers with large cylinders are affected. In India, there are regional differences in the prices for LPG and its filling in gas cylinders. In Delhi, a 19 kg cylinder now costs the equivalent of 27 US dollars, in other cities like Mumbai 26, Kolkata 28 and Chennai 28.50 US dollars. In the past month, LPG prices have been increased by about 30 cents, both for subsidised consumers like households and non-subsidised consumers like companies. A container of subsidised LPG for household use now costs the equivalent of US$2.73. Each household is entitled to purchase 12 cylinders of 14.2 kg each at discounted prices. Quantities exceeding this are considered commercial use and cost more accordingly. Meanwhile, the number of LPG users continued to rise. As of 1 July, there were around 291 million households in India using LPG for cooking and heating. In 2018-2019, there were only 265 million households. Most gas cylinders in this category, like other equipment and facilities in the oil and gas industry, require mandatory PESO certification to be allowed to be used in India.

The market for bottled LPG is growing and offers good opportunities for your company to offer gas cylinders there or to produce locally. However, most equipment, installations and facilities in the oil and gas industry must undergo mandatory PESO certification. Relevant product groups or components include gas and pressure vessels, valves and fittings or safety equipment. A complete list can be found under this link. The experts at MPR International GmbH are available to answer your questions about PESO certification or other India certifications without obligation for an initial assessment.

The Indian oil and gas industry is growing and offers good opportunities for your company to provide services and products there or to produce locally. Mandatory PESO certification for such projects are issued by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation of India. Relevant product groups or components include gas and pressure vessels, valves and fittings, or safety equipment. A complete list can be found on the page about PESO certification mandatory products. The experts at MPR International GmbH are available to answer your questions about PESO certification or other India certifications without obligation for an initial assessment.
If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone at +49-69-271 37 69 261. There is no cost or obligation for us to check for you. If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.
If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)
For more information about PESO certification, please refer to our free brochure “PESO Certification Made Easy“.

Indian tyre exports to increase by 10 per cent in fiscal year 2021

Tyre exports from India increased by 10 per cent in value terms in the 2021 fiscal year, reaching the equivalent of $1.86 billion. This was reported by the industry body Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA). In terms of volumes provided by the Ministry of Commerce, the ATMA recorded an 8 per cent increase to around 36.4 million units of tyres. The growth in exports was caused by a sharp decline in international trade due to the Corona pandemic. In the first quarter of 2021, there was a massive 23 per cent drop in tyre exports, according to ATMA. The rapid rebound in export figures despite weak markets in the past few years is a testimony to the resilience of the Indian tyre industry, ATMA Chairman Anshuman Singhania said. The Indian government also contributed to the improvement of the situation by, among other things, restricting the illegal import of substandard tyres. Indian product certifications also play a major role in this regard, as BIS certification and AIS certification come into play in tire production, to ensure the quality of these products.

According to ATMA, Indian-made tyres are exported to more than 170 countries, including the important markets of North America and Europe. The top five buyers were the US, Germany, France, Italy and the UK. For all these countries, exports grew in double digits, according to ATMA. The US remains the most important market, accounting for 17 per cent of all tyres exported. Growth in tyre exports could continue over the next 3 to 4 years, according to the ATMA, if the government removes certain barriers such as limited access to natural rubber (latex). The ATMA urged the government to improve the availability and quality of latex. This is the only way for the Indian tyre industry to remain competitive, it said.

Tyres in India have to be certified according to the AIS guidelines. AIS stands for Automotive Industry Standards, the technical automotive standards for India. MPR International GmbH – India Certification will be pleased to assist you with AIS certification and is also available to answer any questions you may have.
AIS stands for Automotive Industry Standards, the technical automotive standards for India, while TAC stands for Type Approval Certificate. This kind of automotive product certifiation is conducted by authorities like the International Center for Automotive Technology (iCAT).

Depending on the product category, there are different certification steps. We will be happy to advise you on certification in India like AIS, BIS, WPC, TEC or PESO and are always available to answer your questions.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details and consultation. You can contact us via e-mail, or call us (UK: +44 2071931135, Rest of Europe: +49 69 2713769261, US: +1 773 654-2673).
If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)

You can also check out our free AIS-Brochure, which can be downloaded right here as a PDF file.

Volkswagen Taigun was responsible for half of VW brand’s growth in October 2021

The Indian offshoot of the German carmaker, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, recently announced that the Taigun SUV was responsible for half of its growth in October. This is based on VW’s overall year-on-year sales figures. The company received more than 18,000 pre-orders for the Taigun, which is now sold out for the rest of 2021. According to Volkswagen, both trim levels, Dynamic Line and Performance Line were equally in demand. The rush of customers resulted in delivery times of over two months after placing an order, but is dependent on the trim chosen. The Taigun is the first model based on the MQB A0 IN platform, which has been specially developed or adapted for the Indian market. Based on this, a sedan the size of the Virtus will also be launched soon, VW says. The comparable model to the Taigun in Europe is the T-Cross. The Virtus is based on the hatchback version of the Polo VI, which in turn is only built and sold in Brazil. Like other models from the automotive sector, many components for the production of the Taigun are subject to AIS- and/or BIS-certification, which is mandatory in order for them to be approved for the Indian market.

The price of the Taigun in India starts at the equivalent of 13,965 US dollars. Two engine variants are offered: a 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder petrol engine with 115 hp and 175 Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Also available is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol engine with 148 hp and 250 Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic transmission.

Cars and two-wheelers and their components have to be certified under the AIS guidelines in India. AIS stands for Automotive Industry Standards, the technical automotive standards for India. MPR International GmbH – India Certification will be happy to support you with AIS certification and is also available to answer any questions you may have.

AIS stands for Automotive Industry Standards, the technical automotive standards for India, while TAC stands for Type Approval Certificate. This kind of automotive product certifiation is conducted by authorities like the International Center for Automotive Technology (iCAT).

Depending on the product category, there are different certification steps. We will be happy to advise you on certification in India like AIS, BIS, WPC, TEC or PESO and are always available to answer your questions.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details and consultation. You can contact us via e-mail, or call us (UK: +44 2071931135, Rest of Europe: +49 69 2713769261, US: +1 773 654-2673).

If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)

You can also check out our free AIS-Brochure, which can be downloaded right here as a PDF file.

Indian Authorities Closed During New Year

Several Indian authorities and certification institutions will be closed for the New Year Holidays.
The New Year holidays will be on January 01, 2022. This year, the New Year’s Eve falls on a weekend, so the authorities will resume their work from January 03, 2022.
Additionally, iCAT  will also be closed in the days around Christmas, from December 23 – 25, 2021.
Due to the closing delays in the certification process may occur.

MPR International GmbH will continue to support you in your certification processes. If you would like to have products checked for AIS-, BIS-, PESO- or other certifications, you can call or email us any time.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details and consultation. You can contact us via e-mail, or call us (UK: +44 2071931135, Rest of Europe: +49 69 2713769261, US: +1 773 654-2673).
If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)
MPR International GmbH wishes you a succesfull New Year 2022!