Information Technology Equipment — Safety — Part 1: General Requirements.
Standalone Hard Disk Drives
Strategic Recommendations for Standalone Hard Disk Drives — IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010
- Start BIS Certification in Advance of Deadlines
- Identify Scope Expansion and Product Mapping
- Engage ERA Global Compliance Experts
- Reach Out for Support
- Track Notifications and Ensure Continuous Compliance
- Identify Scope Expansion and Product Mapping
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Standalone Hard Disk Drives. |
| Applicable Indian Standard (IS) No. | IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010. |
| Title of Indian Standard | Information Technology Equipment — Safety — Part 1: General Requirements. |
| Notification & Amendments | Covered under Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021, as amended vide S.O. 2204(E) dated 5 May 2026. The product was already under enforcement earlier as “USB Type External Hard Disk Drives”, and the amendment substitutes and expands the scope to “Standalone Hard Disk Drives”. |
| Objective & Scope | To ensure safety of IT equipment by mandating compliance with electrical, mechanical, and fire safety requirements for standalone data storage devices before their placement in the Indian market. |
| Products Covered | All standalone hard disk drives used for data storage, irrespective of interface type or configuration (including internal and external standalone units). |
| Implementation Dates | Already enforced for USB Type External Hard Disk Drives; expanded scope for standalone hard disk drives effective from 5 November 2026. |
| Exemptions | Export-only products; up to 100 units per model per year for research and development (non-commercial use); Highly Specialised Equipment under specified conditions; and other exemptions as notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology from time to time. |
| Special Coverage | Regulatory transition from USB-specific external HDDs to all standalone hard disk drives, ensuring continuity of enforcement with expanded product coverage. |
| Industries Impacted | IT hardware manufacturers, storage device manufacturers, OEM suppliers, importers, distributors, retailers, and e-commerce platforms dealing in data storage devices. |
| Mandatory Compliance | Products must comply with IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 and be registered under BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) before manufacture, import, sale, or distribution in India. |
| Next Steps for Stakeholders | Review product classification under expanded scope; initiate or update BIS CRS registration; ensure testing through BIS-recognized labs; align compliance before enforcement date. |
| Certification, Enforcement & Legal Framework | Regulated under the Compulsory Registration Scheme of the Bureau of Indian Standards as per the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 and Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. |
| Penalties for Non-Compliance | Imprisonment up to 2 years; minimum fine of ₹2 lakh extendable up to ten times the value of goods; along with seizure of goods, prohibition on manufacture/import/sale, and additional penalties for continuing offences. |
| Conclusion | The product category was already regulated earlier under USB HDD classification; the 2026 amendment expands coverage to all standalone hard disk drives, making compliance mandatory for the broader category from 5 November 2026. |
| References/Annexures | Gazette Notification S.O. 2204(E) dated 5 May 2026; Electronics and IT Goods (CRS) Order, 2021; BIS Act, 2016; IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010. |
Notification
Standalone Hard Disk Drives have been brought under an expanded regulatory framework through the amendment to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021, issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology vide S.O. 2204(E) dated 5 May 2026. The earlier entry for “USB Type External Hard Disk Drives,” which was already under enforcement, has now been substituted with “Standalone Hard Disk Drives,” thereby expanding the scope to cover all such storage devices and removing earlier classification limitations.
Enforcement Timeline
USB Type External Hard Disk Drives were already regulated under existing provisions. With this amendment, all other standalone hard disk drives will be required to comply from 5 November 2026, providing a transition period for newly covered products to complete testing and registration requirements.
Overview
The regulation aligns standalone hard disk drives with the safety requirements specified under IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010. It ensures protection against electrical hazards, fire risks, and mechanical failures, while also bringing uniformity across all storage devices irrespective of interface type.
Objective & Scope
The objective is to ensure safe and reliable data storage devices in the Indian market. The scope now includes all standalone hard disk drives, whether internal or external, and irrespective of interface technologies such as USB or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, ensuring no product category remains outside regulatory oversight.
Products Covered
All standalone hard disk drives used for data storage in computers, servers, and external storage systems are covered, including those not previously regulated under the USB category, thereby widening compliance coverage.
Exemptions Provided
As per the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021: (i) Products manufactured or imported exclusively for export purposes; (ii) Up to 100 units per model per year permitted for research and development, testing, or evaluation (non-commercial use); (iii) Highly Specialized Equipment meeting specified criteria such as high power rating, large dimensions, or limited quantity usage, subject to conditions; (iv) Any other exemptions specifically notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology from time to time.
Industries Impacted
The regulation impacts manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, and electronic commerce platforms involved in the supply chain of hard disk drives, particularly those dealing with varied HDD configurations.
Mandatory Compliance Requirements
All applicable products must be registered under the Bureau of Indian Standards Compulsory Registration Scheme. This includes product testing through recognised laboratories, submission of required documentation, and marking of products with the Standard Mark and registration number prior to sale or import, ensuring traceability and conformity.
Next Steps for Stakeholders
Stakeholders should identify all applicable products under the expanded scope, initiate registration, complete testing and documentation, and align supply chains to meet compliance requirements before the enforcement date to avoid disruptions.
Legal Provisions
Standalone Hard Disk Drives are regulated under the Compulsory Registration Scheme of the Bureau of Indian Standards as per the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 and the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. No product can be manufactured, imported, stored, sold, or distributed without valid registration and compliance with IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Non-compliance may result in imprisonment up to two years, a minimum fine of ₹2 lakh, which may extend up to ten times the value of goods, along with seizure of products, prohibition on sale or import, and additional penalties for continued violations.
Conclusion
The amendment expands the regulatory scope from USB Type External Hard Disk Drives to all Standalone Hard Disk Drives, ensuring comprehensive coverage. While the product category was already regulated earlier, the updated framework strengthens compliance by covering all variants, making timely certification essential before 5 November 2026.
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