Beyond Safety Standards

At Otis, elevator code compliance is the base, not the ceiling. 

Step into an elevator, and you rarely think twice. You press a button, the doors close and, within seconds, you are where you need to be. Behind this smooth journey lies a complex system of engineering and safety protocols backed by robust regulations that have been carefully constructed to ensure passenger safety and the safety of the technicians who service the elevators. The Bureau of Indian Standards IS 17900, introduced in 2022 and due for implementation this year, replaces the IS 14665 (Lifts), IS 14671 (Hydraulic Lifts) and IS 15785 (machine-room-less lifts) and brings the Indian vertical-transportation (VT) industry in line with international benchmark norms such as the ISO 8100 and Europe’s EN-81. 

Codes Born of Context

Elevator codes are often spoken of as technicalities to be complied with when there’s so much more to them. The surge in India’s vertical expansion has brought more high rises to its skylines, a need for accessible homes and public spaces and demand for safer, more reliable VT solutions. Meeting these realities called for a unified and future-ready framework that could match the scale of the country’s urban ambitions. IS 17900 is the reset that streamlines decades of fragmented rules into one modern standard. 

At Otis, our perception is very clear and simple: Compliance is the base, not the ceiling. Long before the December 2025 deadline, we have made significant strides in embedding the IS 17900 into our product and quality roadmaps through fire-tested doors, reinforced structures, automatic rescue systems, overspeed and unintended movement protection, enhanced lighting and more innovative and rigorously tested solutions. Otis was founded on the concept of a safer elevator with the invention of the elevator safety brake. Now, as part of an organization with more than 170 years of global operations, these features have become the norm in other regions where we operate, including Europe, the U.S. and Asia-Pacific. This long-standing global experience allows us to translate complex regulations into practical solutions for Indian developers, architects and facility managers.

People Make Standards Work

Developers often see new regulations through the lens of cost. And yes, adding safety features has associated costs. But we need to view it with a different lens to be able to see it for what it really is. What you invest in upfront pays dividends in the form of lifecycle safety and reduced risk. Undoubtedly, the role of Otis as a market leader extends far beyond manufacturing and installing elevators. We are translating complex technical requirements into clear business value for our customers, while also working to minimize the cost impact.

The new safety protocols also require attaining and implementing new skills. Across India, thousands of elevator technicians will need to be aligned to the new code. At Otis, we have already taken necessary steps to stay ahead of the curve by equipping our field professionals with smartphones backed by Otis’ proprietary apps that provide them with data-driven insights and keep them updated on the norms. This allows them to perform advanced diagnostics, respond faster, stay compliant and work more safely. By raising the competency of each Otis technician, we ensure these new standards are lived out in practice, and the journey of the 2.4 billion people we move every day globally continues to be seamless.

One Nation, One Standard

The code’s success will depend on how quickly the states act. A national lift act could make a huge impact, offering uniformity and predictability nationwide. For developers, it will simplify planning. For consumers, it will ensure consistent safety in any corner of the nation. As an industry, we must collectively advocate for this unified approach, demonstrating how standardization accelerates growth.

In India, 17 out of 29 states have already enacted their lift laws, reflecting steady progress in building a stronger regulatory framework. Among these, seven states have taken the important step of mandating compliance with the Indian Standards on lifts issued by BIS. This opens up an encouraging opportunity to extend the adoption of these standards across other states as well, further strengthening safety benchmarks nationwide. 

At Otis, we have always been cognizant of the fact we are in the life-safety business. Elevators are our products, but safety is our promise. And our true legacy rests in the belief that our passengers step into Otis elevators trusting their safety, and our technicians are carefully protected while servicing our elevators. These benefits may seem invisible, but they are the ones that truly matter, as they define every ride a person takes. Our ambition is not just to continue meeting standards, but to set them for ourselves and reimagine what safe, intelligent and future-ready VT looks like in India.

Because, in the end, the best elevator experience is the one the passenger doesn’t notice: seamless, silent and safe. With the new IS 17900, India is set to make that everyday invisibility a national reality.