BIS CRS Registration for USB Type External Solid-State Storage Devices (above 256 GB capacity) IS 13252 (Part 1) : 2010

External storage devices look simple from the outside. Plug them in. Copy files. Unplug. That is how most users see them. What is not visible is what happens inside the device once power flows through it. Heat. Current. Circuit stress. If design or components are poor, problems follow.

Because of this India does not treat electronic storage devices as casual consumer products. When the capacity increases the risk also increases. That is the reason USB type external solid-state storage devices with capacity above 256 GB fall under the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)

If you manufacture, import, or plan to sell such devices in India, compliance is not optional. BIS expects registration under IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 before the product reaches the market.

What Exactly Falls Under This Category

This category covers portable storage devices that:

• use solid-state memory
• connect through a USB interface
• draw power from the connected system
• have storage capacity exceeding 256 GB

These are commonly used for professional data storage, backups, media handling, and business applications. Because they store large volumes of data and operate continuously during transfers, safety becomes critical.

BIS does not regulate how fast your device is. It regulates whether it is safe to use.

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Why BIS Uses the CRS Framework Here

The Compulsory Registration Scheme exists to prevent unsafe electronics from being sold in India. CRS focuses on electrical and mechanical safety, not performance claims.

For external SSDs, BIS looks at:

• electrical insulation
• temperature rise during operation
• leakage current
• component safety
• resistance to electrical stress

Poorly designed devices can overheat, damage host systems, or pose electric shock risks. CRS is meant to stop such products before they reach consumers.

Understanding IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010

IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 is the Indian safety standard for information technology equipment. It is aligned with IEC 60950-1.

For USB type external solid-state storage devices, this standard evaluates:

• protection against electric shock
• fire safety
• safe construction of internal circuits
• stability under normal use conditions

BIS does not assess storage quality or brand reputation. It assesses whether the product is safe to connect to other electronic systems.

Is CRS Registration Mandatory?

Yes. There is no alternate route.

If your external SSD (above 256 GB) is sold in India without CRS registration:

• it is treated as non-compliant
• it can be stopped at customs
• it can be removed from sale
• penalties can be imposed

This applies to Indian manufacturers as well as foreign manufacturers exporting to India.

Who Is Allowed to Apply

Under CRS rules, only the manufacturer can apply.

This means:

• if you are a foreign manufacturer, you must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)
• if you are a brand owner using an OEM, the OEM must be the applicant
• importers or traders cannot apply on their own

BIS always links registration to the manufacturing source.

Product Testing Requirements

Before you even approach BIS, your product must be tested.

Testing must be done at a BIS-recognised laboratory. Reports from other labs are not accepted.

The lab tests the product strictly as per IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010. The focus is on safety, not performance. Once testing is complete, the lab issues a report that becomes the foundation of your application.

Without a valid test report, CRS registration cannot move forward.

Documents BIS Will Ask For

BIS does not rely only on lab results. Documentation matters.

You are usually required to submit:

• manufacturer legal details
• factory address and scope
• product description and model details
• BIS-approved lab test report
• authorization letter for AIR (if applicable)
• brand or trademark authorization
• conformity declarations

Any mismatch between documents and test reports can delay or block approval.

How the BIS CRS Registration Process Works

In practice, the process works in a fixed order.

First, you confirm that your product is covered under CRS and meets the capacity threshold.

Then, you complete product testing at a BIS-recognised laboratory.

After testing, you prepare the required documents and declarations.

Next, the CRS application is submitted through the BIS online portal.

BIS reviews the application and test report together. If clarification is required, it must be provided

Once BIS is satisfied the product is registered and a CRS registration number is issued.

Only after this point can the product be legally sold in India.

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Marking and Labelling Obligations

After registration, marking becomes important.

The product must display:

• CRS registration number
• manufacturer name
• applicable standard reference

Incorrect or missing marking is treated as non-compliance, even if registration exists.

Validity and Post-Registration Compliance

CRS registration does not have a fixed expiry like ISI licences. However, compliance does not end after approval.

BIS can:

• conduct market surveillance
• ask for additional testing
• review changes in product design or manufacturing location

Any significant change must be informed to BIS.

Conclusion

USB type external solid-state storage devices above 256 GB are not treated as simple accessories in India. From BIS’s perspective, they are electrical products that interact directly with other systems and users. That interaction brings responsibility.

If you are planning to introduce such storage devices in India, early compliance planning makes a real difference. Working with Agile Regulatory helps you navigate testing, documentation, and BIS procedures correctly, so your product reaches the market without regulatory setbacks.