A range of assistive products such as wheelchairs, walkers and hearing aids that will soon follow national quality and safety standards.
India Takes a Major Step Toward Standardising Assistive Devices
In a significant move to improve accessibility and user safety, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has partnered with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to develop national standards for essential assistive products. These include widely used devices such as wheelchairs, walking aids, hearing aids, spectacles, bathroom support tools and other daily-use assistive equipment.
The goal of this collaboration is to ensure that every assistive product sold or provided in India meets clear, high-quality standards that protect users and enhance their independence.
Why Standards for Assistive Products Are Needed
Millions of people in India rely on assistive devices for mobility, communication, seeing, hearing, and performing everyday tasks. However, until now, there has been no unified national benchmark to ensure these devices are safe, sturdy, and user-friendly.
This creates challenges such as:
- Poor durability of devices
- Lack of safety checks
- Discomfort or injury for users
- Devices that do not match user needs
- Difficulty choosing the right product due to inconsistent quality
By creating national standards, ICMR and BIS aim to offer users products that are reliable, comfortable and safe—from basic walking sticks to high-functioning hearing aids.
What Devices Will Be Covered Under Essential Assistive Products
The term essential assistive products refers to devices that help people with disabilities, elderly individuals, and those with injuries perform daily activities independently. The upcoming standards are expected to cover:
Mobility Aids
- Wheelchairs
- Walkers and rollators
- Crutches
- Walking sticks
Vision and Hearing Aids
- Spectacles
- Magnifiers
- Hearing aids
Home and Daily-Living Support
- Grab bars
- Bath safety equipment
- Orthotic supports
By defining quality guidelines for these categories, the project will help ensure safer designs, stronger materials, and better usability.
How ICMR and BIS Plan to Develop the Standards
The collaboration includes several key steps:
- Collecting scientific data on the performance of assistive devices in real-life scenarios
- Reviewing global best practices
- Consulting manufacturers, healthcare experts and disability rights groups
- Defining safety, durability and performance requirements
- Setting guidelines for labels, instructions and after-sales support
Once developed, these standards will guide manufacturers, healthcare providers, buyers, and government procurement agencies.
Benefits for Users, Manufacturers and the Healthcare System
For Users:
- Safer, more reliable devices
- Better comfort and ease of use
- Reduced injuries and breakdowns
- Increased independence and confidence
For Manufacturers:
- Clear benchmarks for design and production
- Easier compliance with global export standards
- Improved market trust and competitiveness
For Healthcare and Social Systems:
- Better quality control
- More efficient public distribution
- Stronger support for elderly and disabled populations
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A Nation Moving Toward Inclusive Health
This joint effort by ICMR and BIS marks a major step in India’s path toward inclusive, accessible and dignified healthcare. As the country’s population ages and the number of people requiring assistive support rises, national standards will help ensure that everyone—regardless of disability, age or income—has access to dependable and safe assistive products.
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