BIS CRS Certification for USB Type External HDD

The Ministry of Electronics and Information technology issued a notification on 1^st April 2020, notifying about the addition of product categories to the schedule of the “Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012” under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (BIS CRS). The Central Government has included 12 new electronic products under the schedule. The Standards for BIS CRS Certification for USB Type External HDD was also a part of the list. The order was superseded by the order passed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on 18^th March 2021, Titled “Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021“, which listed BIS CRS Certification for USB Type External HDD, IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 in the list of a total of Sixty Electronic goods or Articles, for the Compulsory Registration Scheme (Scheme II) by BIS.

What is BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (BIS-CRS)?

The Bureau of Indian Standards is also known as the National Regulatory Authority of India and is responsible for performing various functions like publishing Indian Standards, Implementing Conformity Assessment Schemes, Supporting consumer empowerment, Approving laboratories for BIS Tests and Assessments, Running capacity-building programs to ensure the quality and standards of goods and Representing India in ISO and IEC. It is mandatory to get BIS approved License for some products before they are marketed in India. Getting a BIS license is voluntary and lies in the hands of manufacturers, but some products require compulsory registration under BIS. The compulsion on registration of those products is made based on Public Interest, protection of human health and removing risks to humans, animals or plants, and to prevent unfair trade practices and safeguard national security. For those products, the Central Government has directed using Standard marks registered under a License or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) by BIS^[1] through the issuance of Quality Control Orders (QSOs).

There are three types of schemes that provide product approval by BIS-

• Scheme-I (ISI mark scheme)
• Scheme-II (Compulsory Registration Scheme)
• Scheme IV (Grant of Certificate of Conformity)

BIS CRS Certification for USB Type External HDD is a part of Scheme II, the Compulsory Registration Scheme by BIS.

BIS regulation on USB Type External HDD

The BIS has notified 12 new electronic products under the List of Electronics and IT Goods under the ‘Compulsory Registration Scheme’ for Self Declaration of conformity, which is notified by the Ministry Of Electronics And Information Technology. The new products have been included in the list by the notification number SO 1236 (E), dated 01st April 2020, which was later superseded by the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order 2021, passed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on 18^th March 2021. The order made the BIS CRS Certification for USB Type External HDD mandatory for registration before being marketed in India. The 12 new products which were included in the list of CRS are as follows- 

1. Standalone LED Modules for General Lighting
2. Lighting Chain (Rope Lights)
3. Keyboard
4. Induction Stove
5. Automatic Teller Cash dispensing machines
6. USB Type External Hard Disk Drive
7. Wireless Headphones and Earphones
8. USB Type External Solid- State Storage Devices (above 256 GB capacity)
9. Electronic Musical System with input power below 200 Watts
10. Standalone Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS)with output voltage 48 V (max)
11. Television other than Plasma/ LCD/LED TVs
12. Rice Cooker

BIS-Approval tests for USB Type External HDD

The Bureau of Indian Standards has listed some tests related to the BIS CRS Certification for USB Type External HDD of India Standards IS 13252 (PART 1): 2010. The BIS-Approved laboratory performs the tests under the Compulsory Registration Scheme. The tests prescribed for the USB Type External Hard Disk Drive by BIS are as follows-

• Tests for General Requirements
• Tests for Marking Requirements
• Tests for Electrical safety
• Tests for Wiring
• Tests for Mechanical properties
• Tests for Thermal Properties
• Tests for Fire Safety
• Tests for Insulating properties
• Tests for Communicating connection
• Tests for Radiation Safety
• Tests for Protection against Ingress of water

Documents required for BIS CRS Certification for USB Type External HDD

To obtain a BIS CRS Certification for USB Type External HDD, some general and technical documents are required by the Manufacturer, which is listed as follows-

• CDF/CCL form (Filled up)
• BIS application form (Filled up)
• Scope of Business License
• Manufacturing unit’s business license
• Marking Label/ Details of Marking on the product
• Authorization letter (If the signatory person is other than the head of the manufacturing)
• Test Report
• ISO certificate- Manufacturer
• Trade Mark Certificate
• Trademark Authorization Letter (If TM is owned by other than the Manufacturer)
• Authorized Indian Representative Company registration proof in INDIA (in case of the foreign Manufacturer)
• Photo ID of Authorized Indian Representative/ Authorized Signatory
• Technical Specification Sheet of Product/user manual
• Product Manual

Procedure to Obtain BIS CRS Certification for USB Type External HDD

To get a BIS CRS Certification for USB Type External HDD under Indian Standards IS 13252 (PART 1): 2010, the BIS has directed specific procedures for the manufacturers. However, the procedure to be followed by an Indian manufacturer is separate from that of a foreign manufacturer. The reason for the same is that in the case of a foreign manufacturer, an Authorized Indian representative is appointed to perform duties and carry on the responsibilities of the Manufacturer on his behalf. Following is the procedure to obtain BIS CRS Certification for USB Type External HDD in case of both foreign and Indian Manufacturers-

The procedure to be followed by a Foreign Manufacturer is as follows-

1. An AIR is appointed to perform all the duties on the Manufacturer’s behalf.
2. The AIR is required to submit the application with all the required documents.
3. The AIR is then required to submit the product sample for testing in a laboratory approved by BIS.
4. The test reports are collected from the BIS-approved laboratory and submitted to the BIS office for approval. A softcopy of the online application form / hardcopy application form for offline submission is also required to be submitted along with the test reports.
5. The test reports are verified and examined at the BIS office for approval.
6. After verifying all the details, the BIS office BIS CRS Certification to the Manufacturer or authorized agent representative (AIR).

The procedure to be followed by an Indian Manufacturer is as follows-

1. The Manufacturer is required to apply along with all the required documents.
2. The Manufacturer must submit the product sample for testing in a laboratory approved by BIS.
3. The test reports are collected from the BIS-approved laboratory and submitted to the BIS office for approval. A softcopy of the online application form / hardcopy application form for offline submission is also required to be submitted along with the test reports.
4. The test reports are verified and examined at the BIS office for approval.
5. The BIS office BIS CRS Certification to the Manufacturer after all the details are verified.

Conclusion

BIS CRS Certification for USB Type External HDD is obtained under the Scheme II- Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) of Schedule 2, specified by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The USB TYPE EXTERNAL HARD DISK DRIVE is listed under Indian Standards IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The License is granted for a period of a minimum of two years, and the renewal of registration may be allowed for a period of a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years. The process of BIS CRS Certification may be technical and difficult to understand. Therefore it is always advisable to take help from experts and professionals to avoid losses in terms of Finances and Time.

Read Our Article:How to Obtain BIS CRS Registration for Hard Drive in India?