Context
Recently, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) highlighted the expansion of India’s hallmarking system, including digital traceability, HUID-based identification and consumer protection measures.
What is Hallmarking?
- Hallmarking is a consumer protection measure that certifies the purity of precious metal articles against prescribed standards.
- It helps consumers verify the purity of gold and silver jewellery and reduces the risk of misrepresentation.
About the Hallmarking Scheme
- Nodal Agency: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the sole agency responsible for operating the Hallmarking Scheme in India.
- Gold Hallmarking Scheme: Voluntary scheme launched in 2000; mandatory gold hallmarking introduced on 23 June 2021.
- Silver Hallmarking Scheme: Launched in 2005; hallmarking remains voluntary.
- HUID: Hallmark Unique Identification is a unique six-digit alphanumeric code assigned to each hallmarked jewellery article.
Major Features of the Hallmarking System
1. Identification of Hallmarked Jewellery
- BIS Standard Mark indicating the BIS logo.
- Purity/Fineness Mark indicating the precious metal’s purity.
- HUID code for unique identification and traceability.
2. Gold Hallmarking
- Mandatory since 23 June 2021, initially covering 256 districts.
- Seven gold caratages are covered under IS 1417: 9K, 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K and 24KS.
3. Silver Hallmarking
- Hallmarking of silver articles remains voluntary.
- HUID-based marking became mandatory for all hallmarked silver articles from 1 September 2025.
- Eight grades of silver fineness are covered under IS 2112:2025: 800, 835, 900, 925, 958, 970, 990 and 999.
4. Digital Verification
- Consumers can verify jewellery details through the BIS CARE App using the HUID number.
- The app provides information about purity, product type, jeweller and Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC).
- It also provides photographs and automatically recorded weight of the jewellery article.
5. Regulatory Oversight
- BIS conducts inspections, random sampling and surveillance audits.
- Enforcement actions are undertaken against misuse of hallmarks and violations of prescribed standards.
Significance of Hallmarking
- Consumer Protection: Protects consumers against adulteration and misrepresentation of precious metal purity.
- Transparency: Promotes digital traceability and accountability in the jewellery market.
- Quality Assurance: Ensures compliance with prescribed Indian Standards.
- Consumer Awareness: Enables informed purchasing decisions through digital verification.
Conclusion
India’s hallmarking framework combines quality certification, digital identification and regulatory surveillance to strengthen consumer confidence. The expansion of HUID-based traceability and BIS monitoring promotes transparency and accountability in the precious metals market.
| Important CTC From This Article: BIS |