Here is What the NSA is Saying as of January 2026 (and How This Affects You):
Anyone who has been on the NSA website knows that it's not the easiest website to navigate around, and its information isn't always presented in the clearest way.
To simplify the January 2026 NSA update for your organization, here are the essential takeaways:
- Sunset Dates: Older shredders (built before Nov. 2019) are being phased out. DoD users must replace these by October 2028.
- Volume Tiers: Machines are now strictly rated by "reams per hour." You must match your purchase to your actual usage: Low (0–4), Medium (5–9), or High (10+).
- SSD Standard: All solid-state drive (SSD) destruction now requires a 2mm or smaller particle size. Older 5mm "chips" are no longer considered secure for the destruction of classified data.
- Optical Media Split: Equipment is now split by media type. A machine approved for CDs (5mm) is not necessarily approved for DVDs or Blu-rays (2mm).
- Repair Rule: If a fundamental part (like a blade) breaks on a legacy machine, it cannot be repaired. It must be replaced with a model from the current 2026 EPL.
These new standards come with three inherent risks:
- Immediate Legal and Career Risks. For example, if you are found to be using non-approved or expired shredders for classified materials, this could be a security violation. It could result in administrative action for federal employees, and even criminal liability.
- Financial and Contractual Trouble. If you are a government contractor, it could result in suspension or contract termination.
- What We Call the "Repair Trap." For example, say your 2017 model shredder breaks a blade. You can call tech to fix it. However, with these new January 2026 updates, you are not allowed to repair critical assemblies on expired units. What would seem like an innocent thing to do could land you outside of compliance. Any documents shredded after that repair are technically a security leak.
You can read all of the full details directly from the NSA Evaluated Products Lists.
No matter your office size, how frequently you shred, what materials you handle, and how sensitive your data is, Whitaker Brothers' data destruction experts can help you. We specialize in balancing space, volume, and security levels so your investment meets both your operational and compliance needs. For a personal consultation & free no-obligation advice, you can request a quote.
Our Recommended NSA-Approved Shredders to Ensure You Stay Compliant in January 2026:
Here you will find the best NSA-approved shredders for both your office size and media to be destroyed, along with a brief description of each shredder, why we think they're useful, and why we think you will like them - paired with how they meet the January 2026 NSA standards.
For example, here is a screenshot of the NSA Paper Shredders PDF. You can see the model we have recommended along with many other Whitaker Brothers shredders that are evaluated and listed on the 2026 Evaluated Products List.
Here is the list:
| Office Scenario | Shredder(s) | Description & Key Features | Why It Meets the January 2026 NSA Standards |
| Small Offices (General) | Datastroyer 2360 SMC | Compact P‑7 shredder; handles up to 7 sheets; 10‑gallon bin; energy‑saving mode and simple controls make it appropriate for occasional use and small workspaces. | Listed on the January 2026 NSA EPL as Datastroyer 2360 SMC and meets the ≤1 mm × 5 mm particle requirement for top‑secret documents. |
| Datastroyer 2603/2 SMC | Adds an automatic oiler, larger 1 HP motor and handles up to 11 sheets, delivering bigger throughput than the 2360 while retaining top‑secret security. | Appears on the January 2026 NSA EPL as a high‑volume unit; inclusion on the list confirms it meets the strict 1 mm × 5 mm particle standard. | |
| Small Offices & Huge Volume of Paper | Datastroyer 2605 SMC | Heavy‑use P‑7 shredder with up to 13 sheet capacity and a robust 1.75‑HP motor; automatic oiler and electronic capacity control (ECC) keep productivity high for prolonged shredding. | Listed on the January 2026 NSA EPL as Datastroyer 2605 SMC, confirming it produces the required 1 mm × 5 mm particles for classified material. |
| Small Offices with Omni‑Use (Paper & CD/DVDs) | Datastroyer DCS 36/6 | Combination shredder for paper and CDs; destroys up to 16 sheets plus optical discs; automatic oiler and energy‑management system keep it efficient for mixed‑media use. | Included on the January 2026 NSA EPL as Datastroyer DCS 36/6. Devices on the EPL must produce particles ≤1 mm × 5 mm; this model meets that requirement for paper and CDs. |
| Large Offices & Huge Volume of Paper | Datastroyer 4014/2 SMC | Heavy‑duty shredder with 18‑sheet capacity and a 16‑inch throat; 2.2‑HP motor and automatic oiler handle large volumes while ECC prevents overloads. | The January 2026 EPL lists Datastroyer 4014/2 SMC as a high‑volume device, and it meets the 1 mm × 5 mm shredding standard. |
| Swingline CHS10‑30 | This unit emphasizes quiet, jam‑free operation with a SelfOil system; it shreds about 10 sheets into a 30‑gallon bin. This has a smaller capacity than the 4014/2, but is better for offices prioritizing low noise and minimal maintenance. | Appears on the January 2026 NSA EPL as CHS10‑30. Being listed verifies compliance with the ≤1 mm × 5 mm particle standard for secure paper destruction. | |
| Large Offices with Omni‑Use (Paper & CD/DVDs/Blu-ray) | |||
| Datastroyer DCS 36/7 | Compared with the DCS 36/6, this version adds DVD/Blu‑ray capability and a touch‑screen; it handles 14 sheets, trading slightly lower sheet capacity for broader media compatibility and enhanced controls. | Included on the January 2026 EPL as Datastroyer DCS 36/7; listing confirms it satisfies the ≤1 mm × 5 mm particle standard and is approved for paper, CDs, DVDs, and Blu‑ray discs. |
FAQs: The Best NSA-Approved Shredders in 2026
- Is my current shredder still acceptable for the destruction of top secret material?
You must check the January 2026 expired products list. If your model is on it, then DoD customers have a 6-year grace period to replace it, provided it doesn't call for a major repair. If it breaks, it cannot be repaired. It must be replaced with a currently listed model.
- What’s the difference between NSA-approved and Level P-7?
While P-7 is an international industrial standard (DIN 66399), the NSA only recognizes machines on its EPL. A shredder can be P-7, but not NSA-approved. For classified government work, the EPL is the only document that matters.
- Can I shred SSDs and paper in the same machine?
No. The 2026 update strictly differentiates between paper shredders (1mm x 5mm) and solid state disintegrators (2mm edge size). Using a paper shredder for an SSD will destroy the blades and fail to meet the security standard.
- Does “Optical Media” include Blu-rays?
In 2026, this is a major sticking point. Many older "CD shredders" are not rated for DVDs or Blu-rays because the data layers are denser. You must verify if the device is specifically rated for DVDs and BD (Blu-ray) on the January 2026 Optical Media EPL.
- Do NSA-approved shredders need to be TAA compliant?
For U.S. federal government purchasers, the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) is non-negotiable. Even if a shredder is on the NSA list, it must be manufactured in a TAA-approved country to be purchased using federal funds.
Many shredders sold by Whitaker Brothers are TAA (Trade Agreements Act) compliant, including all of the products listed here. However, compliance is determined on a model-by-model basis, not across the entire brand or inventory.
TAA compliance generally requires the product to be manufactured in the United States or a "designated country" (like Germany, Japan, and South Korea). Many of the Whitaker Brothers' high-security units are engineered and manufactured in Germany, which is a TAA-designated country.
If you’re thinking about a model and are unsure, please contact us for free no-obligation advice. If you’re in a hurry, then look to see if a model has a GSA Price or an NSN (National Stock Number) associated with it. If it does, then it almost certainly meets TAA requirements.
If you have any questions about our shredders, or are looking for a data destruction solution or quote, please contact us today.