Information Technology Equipment – Safety – General Requirements
Printers / Multi-Function Devices (MFD) / Plotters
Strategic Recommendations for Printers / MFDs / Plotters (IS 13252:2010)
- Engage Early with BIS & Labs
Apply for BIS CRS registration well in advance. Conduct testing for electrical safety, fire resistance, and abnormal operation at BIS-recognized labs. - Partner with Compliance Experts
Collaborate with ERA’s compliance specialists for documentation, product testing, certification filing, and CRS marking readiness. - Contact ERA Support Team
📧 cs@eraglobal.co.in | 📞 +91 9599296331 | 💬 WhatsApp
Get support for BIS licensing, test coordination, exemption handling, and audit preparedness. - Track Notifications & Circulars
Subscribe to ERA Newsletter for updates on the CRS Order, BIS circulars, and future amendments affecting IT equipment. - Do a Gap Assessment
Compare existing printer, MFD, and plotter designs with IS 13252:2010 requirements for electrical safety, fire hazard resistance, and performance to ensure compliance before inspection.
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Printers / Multi-Function Devices (MFD) / Plotters |
| Applicable Indian Standard (IS) No. | IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 |
| Title of Indian Standard | Information Technology Equipment – Safety – General Requirements |
| Quality Control Order | Electronics and IT Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012 (with 2013, 2021 amendments) |
| Notification & Amendments | - S.O. 2357(E), dated 3rd October 2012 (original order), - S.O. 822(E), dated 20th March 2013 (extension & compliance), - S.O. 2033(E), dated 2nd July 2013 (testing labs extension), - S.O. 2034(E), dated 25th June 2013 (amendment order), - S.O. 1248(E), dated 18th March 2021 (new CRS order), - S.O. 1353(E), dated 25th March 2021 (corrigendum), - S.O. 2844(E), dated 1st July 2021 (further amendment). |
| Final Enforcement Date | Initially effective from 3rd July 2013 (extended from 3rd April 2013), Under CRS Order 2021 – effective 6 months after notification (18 September 2021) |
| Objective & Scope | To ensure electrical safety and protection of IT equipment (printers, MFDs, plotters) against fire, shock, overheating, and other hazards. |
| Products Covered | - Standalone printers , Multifunction devices (print/scan/copy/fax) - Industrial and commercial plotters. |
| Exemptions | - Goods manufactured exclusively for export, Products for R&D, testing, or demonstration (must be scrapped/exported later), Highly Specialized Equipment (HSE) as per 2021 amendment. |
| Industries Impacted | - Printer & office automation manufacturers, - IT equipment importers and OEMs, - Retail & e-commerce sellers of computer peripherals. |
| Mandatory Compliance | - Must conform to IS 13252 (Part 1):2010, - Mandatory BIS Registration (CRS), - Products must bear marking: “Self declaration – Conforming to IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 – (Unique Registration No.)” |
| Testing Parameters | - Electrical safety, - Protection against electric shock, - Fire hazard resistance, - Mechanical strength, - Temperature rise & abnormal operation tests. |
| Certification & Enforcement Authority | Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the certification authority. Enforcement also assisted by MeitY and local authorities (District Industries Centre). |
| Penalties for Non-Compliance | Suspension or cancellation of registration, seizure of stock, fines, and imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both as per BIS Act, 2016. |
| Conclusion | All printers, MFDs, and plotters must obtain BIS CRS Registration before being imported, manufactured, or sold in India. |
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Notification
Printers, Multi-Function Devices (MFDs), and Plotters have been brought under mandatory BIS registration through the Electronics and IT Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012 notified via S.O. 2357(E) dated 3 October 2012 by the Ministry of Communications & IT. Enforcement began on 3 July 2013, with transitional relaxations provided through amendments in 2013. Subsequently, these products were re-notified under the Electronics and IT Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 vide S.O. 1248(E) dated 18 March 2021, with updates via S.O. 1353(E) (25 March 2021) and S.O. 2844(E) (1 July 2021).
Overview
The standard IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 specifies general safety requirements for information technology equipment, ensuring electrical and fire safety for printers, MFDs, and plotters. The regulation prevents unsafe electronic equipment from entering the Indian market and protects users from hazards caused by faulty or substandard devices.
Objective & Scope
The primary objective is to establish uniform safety requirements for IT hardware products, particularly printers, multifunctional office devices, and plotters used in both residential and commercial applications. The standard covers protection against electric shock, energy hazards, mechanical hazards, and fire risks to ensure user and equipment safety.
Products Covered
The regulation covers all types of printers (inkjet, laser, dot-matrix, thermal), multi-function devices (printing, scanning, copying, faxing), and plotters used in office, commercial, and industrial environments. These products must conform to IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 and display the BIS registration number through self-declaration marking.
Exemptions Provided
- Products manufactured solely for export are exempt.
- Highly Specialized Equipment (HSE), defined under S.O. 2844(E), is exempt if produced in limited quantities (<100 units/model/year) or meeting specific weight, size, or current rating criteria.
Industries Impacted
The order impacts IT hardware and electronics manufacturers, importers, OEMs, enterprise equipment suppliers, retail distributors, government procurement agencies, and e-governance solution providers relying on printers and MFDs
Mandatory Compliance Requirements
All printers, MFDs, and plotters sold, imported, or manufactured in India must comply with IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010. Manufacturers must obtain BIS registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), based on product testing in BIS-recognized laboratories. The self-declaration mark with registration number must be affixed before market release.
Enforcement Timeline
- CRS Order, 2012: Came into effect from 3 July 2013.
- CRS Order, 2021: Applicable from September 2021 onwards (six months after notification).
- Transitional relaxations were provided for units already registered or importing under provisional clearances.
Next Steps for Stakeholders
- Manufacturers and importers must:
- Submit samples for testing in BIS-recognized labs.
- Apply for BIS registration under CRS.
- Affix the registration number and self-declaration mark on products and packaging.
- Ensure continued compliance through periodic surveillance and testing.
Legal Provisions, Enforcement & Penalties
The BIS Act, 2016 governs enforcement. Non-compliance may result in suspension or cancellation of registration, seizure of stock, fines, and imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both. BIS and MeitY jointly enforce compliance through inspections, market surveillance, and random sampling.
Conclusion
Printers, MFDs, and Plotters are regulated under IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 for mandatory safety certification. Effective from July 2013 and reaffirmed under CRS 2021, compliance ensures only safe and tested products enter the Indian market. Manufacturers, importers, and suppliers must align their certification processes with BIS requirements to avoid supply chain disruptions and penalties.
Ready to start your certification journey?
Let us help you navigate regulatory challenges and achieve certification with ease. Leave us your details, and we’ll get back to you—or request a free consultation today.