India Expands BIS CRS to Include Standalone Hard Disk Drives
13. May 2026India’s regulatory landscape for electronics is evolving with the expansion of the BIS CRS framework to cover additional product categories. The recent update introduces mandatory requirements for standalone hard disk drives, reinforcing the scope of BIS certification for IT and electronic hardware. This development reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen product safety and quality standards in the domestic market.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has amended the Compulsory Registration Order (CRO) originally issued in 2021 by adding standalone hard disk drives (HDDs) to the list of regulated products. Under this revision, these devices must comply with Indian Standard IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010, which specifies safety requirements for information technology equipment. The enforcement date for this requirement has been set for 05 November 2026, providing manufacturers and importers with a defined transition period to achieve compliance. Standalone Hard Disk Drives usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.
Scope Expansion Under the BIS CRS Framework
Prior to this amendment, certain storage devices were already regulated under the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), including USB-based external hard drives and solid-state drives with capacities exceeding 256 GB. The inclusion of standalone HDDs closes a regulatory gap by ensuring that non-USB-integrated storage devices are also subject to the same safety and quality benchmarks.
Indian Standard IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 is aligned with international safety principles and addresses risks associated with electrical equipment, including fire hazards, electric shock, and mechanical safety. By extending these requirements to standalone HDDs, regulators aim to create a more consistent compliance environment across different types of storage technologies.
Implications for Market Access and Compliance
Manufacturers, importers, and distributors of standalone hard disk drives must now prepare to meet BIS CRS requirements ahead of the November 2026 deadline. This includes product testing through BIS-recognised laboratories, registration with the Bureau of Indian Standards, and proper marking of compliant products.
Failure to comply with the updated regulation may result in restrictions on market entry, including the inability to import or sell non-certified products in India. Companies operating in the data storage segment should review their product portfolios and initiate certification processes early to avoid disruptions.
This regulatory update underscores India’s commitment to strengthening consumer protection and ensuring that electronic products meet established safety standards. Further details on compliance procedures and certification updates may be available through official BIS communications and related regulatory resources.
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