TÜV SÜD Achieves NABCB Accreditation for Indian Lift Safety Standard IS 17900

From December 22, 2025, compliance with the new Indian Standard Series IS 17900 becomes mandatory.

TÜV SÜD, a global leader in Testing, Inspection, Certification (TIC), has been formally accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) to inspect and certify lift installations across India. This accreditation is a significant development as compliance with the new Indian Standard Series IS 17900 becomes mandatory on December 22, 2025, for all new lift installations, safety components, and major modernisations nationwide.

The new IS 17900 series officially replaces the outdated IS 14665 and other related standards, introducing advanced safety measures aligned with world-class benchmarks like EN 81-20/50.

Advanced Safety Features Drive Regulatory Compliance

The mandate, driven by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and enforceable through the National Building Code, sets a clear deadline for the vertical mobility industry. The new standards introduce several critical protective technologies aimed at significantly enhancing passenger safety and operational reliability:

• Unintended Car Movement Protection (UCMP): Prevents the lift car from moving when doors are open.

• Ascending Car Overspeed Protection (ACOP): Stops the lift car in the event of upward overspeed due to control failure.

• Emergency Provisions: Requires emergency lighting backup for a minimum of one hour.

• Certification Mandates: Stipulates mandatory type-test certification for all critical safety components.

Non-compliance with the IS 17900 standard presents substantial risks, including severe penalties, rejected occupancy certificates, and the invalidation of insurance coverage, directly affecting developers, installers, facility managers, and Smart City project owners.

TÜV SÜD Mobilizes Expert Inspection Services

TÜV SÜD is leveraging its extensive global expertise and local presence to guide stakeholders through this important transition.

Sumit Singhal, Senior Vice President, TÜV SÜD South Asia, highlighted the firm's role: “The accreditation by the NABCB reinforces our commitment to advancing lift safety and reliability across India’s rapidly growing infrastructure sector. IS 17900 compliance is not just a legal requirement – it’s a commitment to safety and trust.”

The firm offers comprehensive expert support and impartial third-party Inspection services tailored precisely to Indian regulatory needs. Anoop N, Manager, TÜV SÜD South Asia, added: “We can offer comprehensive expert support and impartial third-party lift inspections to ensure full compliance with IS 17900 inspection relevant standards.”

This support includes full inspection for OEMs, installers, and developers, alongside modernisation guidance for aged lifts under IS 17900 Part 11. By focusing on both new installations and retrofits, TÜV SÜD is actively supporting the attainment of the highest safety standards in India's infrastructure growth, from hospitals and housing societies to complex metro and airport facilities.