BIS Deadline for Standalone Hard Disk Drives Extended to 1 May 2027

Manufacturers and importers dealing in hard disk drives in India have been given additional time to meet the new BIS registration requirement criteria. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has revised the date of applicability for Standalone Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) from 5 November 2026 to 1 May 2027.

This revision has come in the form of Notification S.O. 5689(E), dated 16 October 2026. It is an outcome of the previous notification made on 5 May 2026 regarding changes in the product category.

Previously, the relevant entry covered USB Type External Hard Disk Drives. The May 2026 amendment replaced that description with the broader term "Standalone Hard Disk Drives".

Nevertheless, the above-mentioned extension does not imply that BIS certification is not necessary for hard disk drives anymore. The previous requirements for USB Type External Hard Disk Drives still apply. The new date refers to the extended scope of other standalone HDDs.

For businesses manufacturing, importing or planning to introduce HDD products in India, the notification provides additional time to review their products, understand the applicable BIS registration requirements and prepare for the revised implementation date.

Notification at a Glance

The government has changed the implementation date of the earlier amendment without withdrawing the revised product category.

The notification has been issued under Sections 16(1), 16(2) and 25(3) of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

Its main purpose is to extend the implementation timeline of the May 2026 amendment. It does not introduce a new certification scheme or announce a general exemption from existing BIS requirements.

Understanding BIS CRS Registration for Hard Disk Drives

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) sets and administers standards and conformity assessment schemes for products sold in India.

One of these schemes is the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), which covers specified electronic and information technology products notified by the government.

Under BIS CRS, manufacturers of covered products must comply with the applicable Indian Standards and registration requirements before undertaking activities restricted by the governing order.

The system is intended to ensure that notified electronics meet applicable safety requirements.

However, BIS CRS registration is not automatically required for every electronic product. Whether a particular product is covered depends on the exact category mentioned in the relevant government notification.

This is why the change in the HDD product description matters.

Why Is BIS Registration Relevant to Hard Disk Drive Manufacturers?

Hard disk drives are widely used to store data in computers, servers and other electronic systems.

These products are manufactured and supplied in different forms. Their technical design, product category and intended configuration may affect how they are treated under the applicable BIS framework.

For manufacturers, understanding the notified category is necessary before arranging product testing or applying for BIS registration.

Importers also need to check whether the products they plan to bring into India fall under an existing compulsory registration requirement.

The latest extension gives businesses affected by the expanded HDD category additional time to make these assessments.

What Has Changed Under the October 2026 BIS Notification?

The October notification is connected to an amendment issued earlier in 2026.

To understand the latest deadline extension, businesses first need to understand what changed in May.

Change from USB Type External Hard Disk Drives to Standalone Hard Disk Drives

On 5 May 2026, MeitY issued Notification S.O. 2204(E), amending Serial Number 50 of the CRO schedule.

The notification replaced the earlier product description, "USB Type External Hard Disk Drives", with "Standalone Hard Disk Drives".

The change introduced a broader product description under the compulsory registration framework.

At the same time, the government clarified that USB Type External Hard Disk Drives would continue to be governed by their existing notified requirements.

For other standalone HDDs, the amended provisions were originally scheduled to apply from 5 November 2026.

The change therefore did not place every HDD product under one entirely new compliance deadline.

Implementation Date Extended to 1 May 2027

Through Notification S.O. 5689(E), MeitY has extended the implementation date of the May amendment to 1 May 2027.

This gives businesses affected by the expanded standalone HDD category more time to prepare for the applicable requirements.

Manufacturers can review product specifications, assess registration needs and plan testing arrangements where necessary.

Importers can also use this period to verify the compliance status of products sourced from overseas manufacturers.

The notification does not state that businesses must submit an application immediately. It also does not specify any special registration fee, exemption application or separate advance filing deadline.

Which Hard Disk Drives Are Covered Under the Revised CRO?

The revised product entry uses the term "Standalone Hard Disk Drives".

This is broader than the previous description, but it should not be interpreted as automatically covering every type of electronic storage device.

The May 2026 amendment makes an important distinction between USB Type External Hard Disk Drives and other standalone HDDs.

Manufacturers should avoid deciding applicability based only on the commercial name used in catalogues, invoices or online product listings.

The actual product specifications and the wording of the notified category are important.

Why Is Product Classification Important?

A business may deal in several types of storage products, but their BIS registration requirements may not be identical.

For this reason, manufacturers and importers should review the relevant product details before selecting a compliance procedure.

Where the applicable category is uncertain, businesses should seek product-specific clarification through appropriate official channels.

The October notification itself does not provide a detailed technical classification of internal HDDs, external HDDs, SSDs or other storage devices.

Old vs New BIS Compliance Deadline for Standalone Hard Disk Drives

The latest extension changes the implementation timeline of the May amendment.

The comparison below explains what has changed.

Businesses should understand that the revised date relates to implementation of the specified amendment.

It does not mean that every hard disk drive can be manufactured, imported or sold without complying with any existing BIS requirement until May 2027.

For companies already supplying products covered by the existing framework, their present obligations remain important.

Does the Deadline Extension Remove the BIS Registration Requirement?

No. The government has extended the implementation timeline of the specified amendment. It has not cancelled the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme for hard disk drives.

This distinction is particularly important for importers and manufacturers reviewing their compliance requirements.

When the government extends a deadline, it changes the date from which a particular provision will apply.

An exemption is different. It removes or limits a requirement for qualifying products or businesses, subject to the conditions stated in the relevant legal instrument.

The October notification provides an extension, not a general exemption.

USB Type External Hard Disk Drives continue to be bound by their current notified provisions. Other hard disk drives that fall under the extended entry will be brought under the new scope from 1st May 2027.

Businesses should therefore review the applicable rules for their specific products rather than assuming that the entire HDD category has received temporary relief from BIS registration.

Understanding IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 for Hard Disk Drives

The May 2026 amendment refers to IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010, an Indian Standard dealing with the general safety requirements of information technology equipment.

This standard is relevant because it is expressly cited in the amended schedule entry for Standalone Hard Disk Drives.

For manufacturers, the applicable product standard helps determine the safety requirements and technical assessment relevant to the regulated product.

However, identifying the correct standard for a BIS CRS application requires checking more than one notification.

Transition to IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1): 2023

Another notification, S.O. 4997(E), has been released by MeitY on 29 October 2025, regarding the transition from IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 and IS 616: 2017 to IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1): 2023.

This ensures that the two standards can co-exist until 1 November 2028 for the covered products, with the exception of the extended-reality category, which is considered separately.

In view of the May 2026 HDD revision, which refers to IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010, manufacturers need to check the applicable standard for their respective HDDs before conducting the tests.

Why Should Manufacturers Confirm the Testing Standard?

Selecting the appropriate standard is an important part of planning BIS CRS registration.

Manufacturers should confirm:

• The notified product category applicable to their HDD model.
• The standard currently accepted for the relevant product.
• Whether any standard-transition provisions apply.
• The applicable BIS testing and registration procedure.
• The correct testing approach should be based on official BIS requirements rather than assumptions drawn from similar products.

The October notification does not introduce a new testing method or prescribe product-specific test values.

How Does the Extension Affect Manufacturers and Importers?

The revised implementation date is relevant to businesses manufacturing, sourcing or introducing potentially covered hard disk drives in India.

Although the notification does not create a new application process, it provides additional time for businesses to review their compliance position.

Impact on Domestic HDD Manufacturers

Indian manufacturers producing standalone HDDs should identify which of their products are affected by the expanded CRO entry.

Businesses can review their existing registrations, product specifications and applicable testing requirements.

Where a product requires BIS CRS registration under the amended framework, manufacturers can plan the relevant activities before the revised implementation date.

Companies already producing USB Type External Hard Disk Drives should continue to follow the existing requirements applicable to those products.

Impact on Foreign Manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers supplying hard disk drives to the Indian market should review the product categories covered by the amendment.

Where BIS CRS registration is applicable, overseas manufacturers should check the relevant registration procedure, testing requirements and any authorised Indian representative requirements under the scheme.

The additional time may help manufacturers coordinate with Indian business partners and prepare the necessary compliance arrangements.

However, the extension should not be treated as permission to ignore any existing requirement that already applies to the product.

Impact on Indian Importers

It is important for importers to focus on product classification and the existing BIS registration.

Prior to placing any order for imports, companies need to assess if their HDDs qualify under the current USB External HDD entry or the new standalone HDD entry.

They should also coordinate with overseas suppliers to confirm relevant product and registration details.

BIS compliance for imported hard disk drives should be assessed before import planning, not only when a shipment is ready for dispatch.

Impact on Existing BIS Registration Holders

Businesses that already have BIS CRS registrations should check whether the models they manufacture or supply are covered by the relevant registration.

An existing registration for one product or model should not automatically be assumed to cover every related storage device.

Depending on the applicable BIS rules and product circumstances, a manufacturer may need to consider model inclusion or other registration-related changes.

However, the October notification does not expressly require every existing HDD registration holder to submit a fresh application.

How Can Businesses Prepare Before 1 May 2027?

The extended timeline gives affected businesses an opportunity to review their compliance position before the expanded requirements take effect.

Preparation should begin with the products themselves.

1. Review the Hard Disk Drive Models

Manufacturers and importers should identify the HDD models they currently manufacture, import or plan to introduce.

Product specifications, model descriptions and technical characteristics should be reviewed to help establish the correct regulatory category.

2. Check Whether BIS CRS Registration Applies

Businesses should compare their products with the applicable CRO schedule entries and official BIS guidance.

This is particularly important when dealing with storage products that have different technical configurations.

Where there is uncertainty about the scope, businesses need to clarify rather than assume.

3. Analyze Existing BIS Registrations

Firms with BIS registrations need to examine their registered category and model products.

This can help identify whether any proposed product is already covered or whether further registration-related action may be necessary.

4. Confirm Applicable Product Testing Requirements

Before arranging testing, manufacturers should verify which Indian Standard applies to the particular HDD model.

Standard migration notifications and associated BIS guidelines must also be considered where appropriate.

5. Coordinate with Suppliers and Manufacturers

Indian importers must ensure that suppliers are informed about relevant compliance requirements.

Manufacturers should ensure that their technical, product-development and compliance teams understand the revised implementation date.

6. Plan Registration Activities Where Required

For products that require BIS CRS registration, manufacturers should review the applicable application procedure and testing arrangements.

Businesses may seek assistance from BIS certification consultants in India where they require help understanding product applicability, documentation or registration procedures.

The October notification does not prescribe a separate advance application deadline.

7. Monitor Further Government Updates

Firms should keep on reviewing BIS and MeitY notifications until 1st May 2027.

Any subsequent amendment/clarification to the notification would impact the applicability of the requirements.

Important Compliance Risks for Hard Disk Drive Businesses

The deadline extension gives businesses more time, but misunderstanding its scope may still create compliance problems.

Incorrect Product Classification

A product may be incorrectly treated as outside the compulsory registration framework if its actual technical characteristics and notified category are not properly examined.

Businesses should therefore review product coverage carefully.

Assuming All HDD Requirements Are Postponed

The October notification does not postpone every existing HDD requirement.

The May amendment specifically maintains the notified provisions for USB Type External Hard Disk Drives.

Ignoring this distinction could result in an incorrect assessment of a business's current obligations.

Incomplete Registration Coverage

Businesses should ensure that their existing BIS registration covers the relevant product models where registration is required.

A product should not be treated as registered simply because another model from the same manufacturer already holds registration.

Using an Incorrect Testing Standard

The separate migration to IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1): 2023 makes it important to confirm the applicable standard before arranging testing.

Companies should use existing BIS official guidance for the specific requirements regarding products.

Delaying Compliance Preparation

Despite the delay in the implementation of the extended deadline, companies may still require some time to analyze technical requirements and undertake necessary registrations.

Starting the assessment early can help companies identify issues before they affect commercial plans.

Specific statutory consequences depend on the governing BIS provisions and the circumstances of any non-compliance. The October notification itself does not announce new penalties.

How Can Corpseed Help with BIS CRS Registration for Hard Disk Drives?

For manufacturers and importers, the first challenge is often understanding whether a particular product falls under an existing BIS requirement or the expanded standalone HDD category.

The next step is identifying the relevant registration and testing requirements.

Corpseed provides BIS CRS Registration services to businesses seeking assistance with applicable electronics compliance requirements.

Depending on the product and service requirements, Corpseed can support businesses in the following areas:

• BIS CRS registration assistance: Helping manufacturers understand the applicable registration process and organise relevant application information.
• Applicability of the product assessment: Helping organizations assess the applicable notified product category and compliance scheme.
• Documentation and Testing: Assist in the preparation of documentation and test arrangements, if needed.
• BIS CRS Amendment: Supporting businesses that need guidance on applicable changes to their registration-related requirements.
• BIS CRS Inclusion: Assisting eligible manufacturers with the applicable process for adding models under an existing registration.

Companies planning to manufacture or import HDD products affected by the May 2027 implementation date can seek guidance on their relevant compliance requirements.

For assistance with BIS CRS registration, product classification or registration-related support, contact Corpseed.

Key Takeaways

• The standalone HDD amendment’s implementation has been postponed by MeitY from 5 November 2026 to 1 May 2027.
• This has been done through Notification S.O. 5689(E) issued on 16 October 2026, which defers the implementation schedule of S.O. 2204(E).
• The May 2026 amendment changed the CRO schedule entry from USB Type External Hard Disk Drives to Standalone Hard Disk Drives.
• Existing notified BIS requirements for USB Type External Hard Disk Drives continue to apply.
• Manufacturers and importers should review the applicable product category, registration coverage and testing standards.
• Businesses affected by the expanded standalone HDD category can use the additional time to prepare for the scheduled implementation.