The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a fresh notification on the 05th May 2026 regarding the Amendment of the “Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021”. The amendment has been brought on the basis of the powers provided by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act 2016. The notification highlights some key changes for manufacturers, importers and sellers regarding standalone hard disk drives in India.
The government has updated the list of products that fall under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) and the applicability of BIS compliance requirements for standalone HDDs. This is likely to further enhance the product safety, quality standards, and availability of electronic products in the Indian market that comply with the Indian Standards.
Key Amendment introduced by MeitY
The notification has substituted “standalone Hard Disk Drives” at Column 2 of Serial Number 50 in the Schedule of the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021.
The updated product category will now be covered under the following Indian Standard:
- Product Category: Standalone Hard Disk Drives
- Indian Standard: IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010
- Title of Standard: Information Technology Equipment – Safety Part 1: General Requirements
This implies that manufacturers/importers of standalone hard disk drives will have to ensure compliance of the product with BIS CRS requirements before introducing in the Indian market.
Applicability of the New Rules
It is important to note that the notification explicitly assists in providing that External Hard Disk Drives (EHDD) of type USB will continue to be regulated by the existing notified provisions. Other standalone HDDs shall take effect from 5th November 2026 as per the amended provisions in the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021.
During the transition period, the company is given enough time to manage the required BIS CRS testing, certification, registration and labelling process.
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The role of BIS CRS in an HDD application
The BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme was launched to ensure that the electronic and IT products sold in India are safe and are of good quality as per the specifications set by the Government. The products covered under CRS need to be tested in laboratories recognized by BIS and have to be registered for market.
Hard disk drives (HDDs) are common media for storing data on computers, servers, monitoring systems and various industrial applications. These devices are vital electronic components and therefore safety and reliability are paramount.
The revision of the notification of standalone HDD will help in:
- Improving consumer safety
- Reducing substandard electronic products in the market
- Maintaining quality standards for IT equipment
- Enhancing trust in electronic storage devices
- Supporting regulatory compliance in the electronics sector
Impact on Manufacturers and Importers
The amendment will impact the standalone hard disk drive businesses of domestic manufacturers, foreign manufacturers, brand owners and importers.
Currently, companies that are either producing or importing HDDs for the Indian market have to:
- Identify whether their products fall under the revised category
- Get products tested from BIS-approved laboratories
- Apply for BIS CRS registration
- Ensure proper marking and labeling requirements
- Maintain compliance with Indian safety standards
Penalties, product recall, imports restrictions, or prohibition of sale of products in India in case of failure to meet BIS requirements.
If the foreign manufacturers have not established their office in India, they will also have to assign an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) for BIS certification.
IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 Explained
The notified standard IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 is on the safety requirements of information technology equipment. This standard applies to electrical safety, hazard protection, insulation, fire resistance and operational safety of IT products.
The purpose of this standard is to ensure that electronic products are not likely to cause electric shock, overheating, fire or failure in their normal use.
The government has introduced the standard for standalone hard disk drives to enhance the overall safety of electronic storage products in India.
Why This Amendment Matters?
With the advent of digital transformation, cloud computing, and surveillance infrastructure, coupled with data-driven industries, the demand for storage devices in India is skyrocketing, and the electronics sector is expanding rapidly. As the volume of electronic products imports and local production rose, it is more and more important to have regulatory control.
This amendment demonstrates the government’s continued focus on:
- Strengthening quality control in electronics
- Promoting safe and reliable IT products
- Aligning products with Indian Standards
- Supporting the “Make in India” initiative
- Enhancing consumer protection
The updated notification also helps to achieve fairness among the compliant manufacturers, and it deters low-quality or non-certified products.
Some steps that businesses need to take:
Immediate preparations for compliance should be made for businesses engaged in manufacturing or importing standalone hard disk drives. Important actions include:
- Reviewing product classifications
- Coordinating with BIS-recognized testing laboratories
- Preparing technical documentation
- Filing BIS CRS applications on time
- Planning inventory and import schedules before enforcement deadlines
Looking ahead, companies need to start planning for this amendment from 5th November 2026 to avoid disruptions to their business operations if the amendment applies to them for their applicable standalone HDD.
Conclusion
MeitY's latest amendment to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 is a significant development in the electronics sector. The government is hoping to enhance safety, product quality assurance and consumer confidence by mandating that standalone hard disk drives comply with BIS CRS requirements.
The manufacturers, importers and brand owners must pay attention to the notification and take action to meet the BIS standards before the deadline of implementation. The move is likely to boost India's electronics regulatory regime and provide for the availability of safe and reliable technology products in the market.