Amendment to Electronics And IT Products QCO for Standalone Hard Disk Drives 2026 - Detailed Information

IS 13252 Part 1:2010 is the Indian Standard applicable for Information technology goods, including standalone hard disk drives (HDDs). In accordance with these important safety requirements, manufacturers and importers must comply before HDDs are sold in the Indian market.

Earlier, the product category under S. No. 50 had a different description, but the Government has now officially replaced it with a standalone Hard Disk Drives category, meaning no new compliance is required for USB external HDDs, and the existing CRS rules remain applicable.

Which hard disk drives are covered under the MeitY CRS amendment?

According to the amendment, these products must comply with the Indian standard:

The standard mainly focuses on:

• Electrical safety
• Protection against hazards
• Safe design requirements
• User safety during operation

Effective date for BIS CRS compliance: standalone HDDs

After this date, manufacturers, importers, and brand owners must ensure compliance with BIS CRS before selling these products in India. The effective date for the amendment to the BIS registration for standalone HDDs:

• Standalone Hard Disk Drives - 5th November,2026
• USB-type External Hard Disk Drives - will be continued as per existing provisions

Benefits of BIS CRS Certification for Storage Devices 

BIS CRS Certification for storage devices complies with this Indian Standard, which helps ensure:

• Electrical safety of the product: Ensures devices feature proper grounding and overcurrent protection to eliminate the risk of electric shock.
• Protection against fire and overheating: this helps ensure the products can withstand the maximum operating temperature during normal use.
• Improved product reliability and quality: Products registered under the Indian standard are reliable and of good quality. 
• Consumer safety and regulatory compliance: Protecting its users from certain fire hazards, manufacturers must comply with regulatory requirements.

Impact of the standalone HDD BIS registration requirement on manufacturers

Standalone HDD BIS registration is essential for manufacturers to ensure safety compliance for storage devices to strengthen India’s electronics compliance ecosystem:

• Manufacturers must get their products tested by BIS-recognised laboratories
• Apply for BIS registration to maintain product quality standards 
• Ensure product conformity with IS 13252 Part 1:2010 to regulate electronic hardware entering the Indian market 
• Manufacturers must ensure that products are well labelled and comply with marking requirements

What happens if you don't comply with the BIS CRS mandate for standalone HDDs?

Products without BIS CRS Registration India, including Standalone hard disk drives, fail to comply with the latest MeitY amendments to IS 13252 (Part 1) 2010. This can lead to serious legal, regulatory, and business consequences for manufacturers, importers, and brand owners dealing with Standalone Hard Disk Drives in India.

Some major consequences are:

• Restrictions on the sale of standalone Hard Disk Drives 
• Products can lead to seizures and rejection during customs clearance
• Damage to brand reputation and loss of customer trust
• Regulatory actions can be taken by BIS or other government authorities

Who needs BIS CRS registration for standalone hard disk drives?

Who needs BIS registration for standalone hard drives? The Compulsory Registration Order (CRO) applies to every person who produces, imports, stocks, sells or distributes a listed product in India. This includes:

• Manufacturers in India
• Foreign Manufacturers (who will be required to designate an Authorised Representative to act on their behalf);
• Importers/traders (importers shall have the verified contents of their products available for customs clearance);
• E-commerce sellers.

Conclusion

The latest MeitY amendment to the Electronic and Information Technology goods requirement under the Compulsory Registration Order 2021 makes an important update for the storage device industry in India by including Standalone Hard Disk Drives under the mandatory compliance requirement.

The Indian Government has expanded the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), which ensures safer, standardised electronic products while enhancing consumer confidence and strengthening regulatory oversight. As India continues to expand its manufacturing and digital infrastructure, manufacturers are directed to begin their BIS CRS registration process now to meet the November 2026 deadline.