India has amended its Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 to introduce new exemptions and clarify product classifications for standalone hard disk drives and highly specialized equipment.
India Expands Electronics Registration Requirements
Importers must register standalone hard drives, while some specialized equipment gets an exemption.
What changed
Standalone hard disk drives now require compulsory registration under Indian Standard IS 13252: Part 1: 2010.
Highly specialized equipment is exempt if manufactured or imported in fewer than 100 units per model per year.
Exemption applies to equipment with a single-phase supply over 16A, three-phase supply, dimensions over 1.5m x 0.8m, or weight over 80kg.
Compliance deadline for television sets extended to July 26, 2026.
Who it affects
Manufacturers of standalone hard disk drives must register their products by November 5, 2026.
Importers of specialized equipment should check if their products meet the new exemption criteria.
Television set manufacturers have until July 26, 2026, to meet the updated standards.
What to do
Determine if your product is a standalone hard disk drive.
Ensure it meets the safety standard IS 13252: Part 1: 2010.
Apply for compulsory registration before the November 5, 2026 deadline.
Key dates
Compliance Analysis: Amendments to India’s Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021
Direct Answer
India has amended the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 to:
- Clarify product classifications for standalone hard disk drives (HDDs), exempting USB Type External HDDs from new compliance requirements until further notice while subjecting all other standalone HDDs to compulsory registration from 5 November 20261.
- Introduce exemptions for Highly Specialized Equipment (HSE), provided such equipment is manufactured/imported in ≤100 units per model per year and meets specific technical criteria (e.g., power supply, dimensions, or weight)2.
- Extend the compliance deadline for TV sets under IS 18112:2022 from 26 January 2026 to 26 July 20263.
Regulation Analysis
1. Standalone Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)
The amendment substitutes the entry for Serial Number 50 in the Order’s Schedule to explicitly cover "Standalone Hard Disk Drives"1. Key provisions:
- USB Type External HDDs: Continue to be governed by existing notified provisions (no new compliance requirements as of the amendment)1.
- All other standalone HDDs: Must comply with the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 from 5 November 20261.
- Applicable Standard: IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 ("Information Technology Equipment – Safety – Part 1: General Requirements")1.
2. Exemptions for Highly Specialized Equipment (HSE)
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) introduced exemptions for HSE via Gazette Notification S.O. 1246(E) dated 10 March 2026, effective 15 June 20262. Eligibility criteria:
- Volume Limit: Manufactured/imported in ≤100 units per model per year2.
- Technical Criteria (any of the following):
- Exemption Process: Requires a specific exemption issued by MeitY2.
3. Extension for TV Sets (IS 18112:2022)
The compliance deadline for TV sets under IS 18112:2022 ("Digital Television Receiver for Satellite Broadcast Transmission – Specification") was extended from 26 January 2026 to 26 July 2026 via Gazette Notification S.O. 352(E) dated 22 January 20263.
Summary Table of Key Requirements
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standalone HDDs (Non-USB Type)1 | Compulsory registration under IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 | 5 November 2026 | MeitY |
| USB Type External HDDs1 | Governed by existing provisions (no new compliance requirements) | Not specified | MeitY |
| Highly Specialized Equipment (HSE) Exemption2 | Exempt if ≤100 units/model/year + meets technical criteria (power, dimensions, or weight) | 15 June 2026 | MeitY |
| TV Sets (IS 18112:2022)3 | Compliance with IS 18112:2022 required | 26 July 2026 | MeitY |
Summary Answer
India’s amendments to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 introduce:
- Differentiated compliance for HDDs: USB Type External HDDs remain under existing rules, while other standalone HDDs must register by 5 November 2026 under IS 13252 (Part 1): 20101.
- HSE exemptions: Equipment meeting volume (≤100 units/year) and technical criteria (e.g., power, size, or weight) is exempt from registration, effective 15 June 20262.
- Extended deadline for TV sets: Compliance with IS 18112:2022 is now required by 26 July 20263.
All amendments are enforced by MeitY under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. For full details, refer to the Gazette Notifications2, 1, 3.
Sources
- ↩ G/TBT/N/IND/44 — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN12/IND44A19.docx
- ↩ G/TBT/N/IND/44 — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN12/IND44A18.docx
- ↩ G/TBT/N/IND/44 — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN12/IND44A17.docx