BIS Compliance Becomes Mandatory for Standalone Hard Disk Drives in India

The Government of India has expanded the scope of mandatory BIS compliance for electronic products by bringing Standalone Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). This important regulatory update has been introduced through the latest amendment issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Under the revised notification, all Standalone Hard Disk Drives will now require mandatory BIS registration before they can be manufactured, imported, stored, distributed, or sold in the Indian market.

The applicable Indian Standard for compliance is: IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 – Information Technology Equipment – Safety Requirements.

• This amendment becomes effective from: 5 November 2026

Previously, BIS CRS compliance was applicable mainly to USB Type External Hard Disk Drives and certain external storage devices. With this latest amendment, the scope has now been widened to include all standalone HDD products, closing an important regulatory gap in India’s electronics safety ecosystem.

Why This Update is Important

The inclusion of standalone HDDs under the BIS CRS framework is part of India’s continued effort to strengthen product safety, quality control, and consumer protection in the electronics sector. Hard disk drives are widely used in computers, enterprise storage systems, surveillance equipment, servers, industrial systems, and data backup infrastructure.

By making BIS certification mandatory, the government aims to ensure that HDD products entering the Indian market comply with essential electrical and safety standards.

Who Needs to Comply?

The new BIS compliance requirement applies to:

• Indian manufacturers of standalone HDDs
• Foreign manufacturers exporting HDDs to India
• Importers and distributors
• Brand owners and OEM manufacturers
• Online sellers and marketplace suppliers

Manufacturers will need to complete product testing through BIS-recognized laboratories and obtain CRS registration before the implementation deadline.

Key Compliance Requirements

To obtain BIS CRS certification for Standalone Hard Disk Drives, businesses will generally require -

• Product testing under IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010
• Technical documentation and product specifications
• BIS application filing
• BIS-recognized laboratory test reports
• Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) for foreign manufacturers
• Proper BIS Standard Mark labeling on products

Impact on Importers and Manufacturers

Businesses dealing in HDD products should begin the compliance process well before November 2026 to avoid shipment delays, customs issues, or restrictions on market access. Non-compliant products may face import blockage, penalties, product seizure, or sales restrictions under the BIS framework.

This amendment highlights the government’s increasing focus on expanding regulatory control over electronic andIT hardware products sold in India. Manufacturers and importers are advised to review their product portfolios immediately and initiate BIS CRS registration planning to ensure uninterrupted business operations.