Making Devices Safe With IS 13252 Standard ComplIance

Electronics makes our lives easier and interesting, but it can bring in several regulations for various reasons.

- Saurabh Durgapal

For example, you cannot get your electronics wet, and magnets tend to erase data from magnetic memories. Guidelines are put in place after proper testing based on product limitations. But how do you know if your gadgets are safe to use, or would not burn out in your hands even after proper safeguards?

Even the best of designs need testing

Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in collaboration with Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) make sure that electronic gadgets are tested and certified before being released to the public. Among several standards under CRS, there is one governing electronic and information technology (IT) appliances such as laptops and mobile phones.

Even the best of designs have to be tested before being let out in the hands of users and maintenance people. Fires, shortcircuits and radiation are some hazards involved with untested electronics. This requires testing the devices according to certain standards.

“IS 13252 talks about electrical, mechanical and fire safety of IT and electronic products from the user point of view,” says Kalyan Varma, vice president, products, TUV Rheinland India. These standards, however, are only for safety requirements and do not govern the performance of devices. He adds, “It does not cover performance parameters, cyber security errors or algorithmic variations at all. It is a purely electrical safety standard.”

Interestingly, standards that ensure safety of the device follow minimum compliance requirements. Varma explains, “Even in the best of products, there is the possibility of residual risk.” This residual risk can be reduced with improvisations in testing, but this still leaves a chance of error.