Hallmark registration in India, managed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), certifies the quality and purity of precious metals like gold and silver, aligning with specific Indian Standards. Through the BIS Hallmark Registration, jewellers can offer certified precious metal articles that meet high purity standards, as reflected in the hallmark’s Fineness Number and the BIS Hallmark Logo. For consumers, hallmarked jewellery guarantees quality assurances and authenticity, while BIS certified jewellers build trust and market credibility by displaying their Hallmark Registration Certificate. Each certified piece includes a Jeweller Mark and the Hallmarking Centre’s Mark, ensuring accurate determination of purity.
Jewellers pursuing BIS certification must go through the Jewellers Registration Scheme, requiring documentation like Address proof of company, GST registration certificate, and ID proof (such as Aadhaar card or PAN Card). Additional business details like annual turnover and compliance with the Gold Hallmarking Scheme are verified. Submitted jewellery is tested at BIS Assaying & Hallmarking Centres (A&H centre), following standards like IS 15820. Once approved, jewellers receive a hallmark license and the right to mark their products, ensuring compliance with the objectives of the Hallmarking Scheme.
Hallmark Registration BIS-certified jewellers also benefit from support in documentation, including requirements like the Chartered Accountant CA certificate and prescribed fees. Firms like Abhinav Suresh Advocate CA streamline the process, from company registration to product testing, allowing jewellers to meet BIS standards with ease. This hallmark registration process, backed by the Government of India, not only assures product quality but also strengthens the jeweller’s reputation, making BIS Hallmarked jewellery a trustworthy choice in the market./
Note: New Hallmarking Method (Effective 1 April 2023)
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduced a new hallmarking method on 1 April 2023, making the 6-digit Hallmark Unique Identification Number (HUID) mandatory for all gold jewellery. This HUID must now be present on any gold jewellery sold or purchased in India.
Once jewellers receive a hallmark registration certificate, they can sell gold jewellery with the HUID, but only through certified outlets. The introduction of the HUID ensures each piece of jewellery is traceable and meets the required purity standards, enhancing transparency and trust for consumers.
The main purpose of gold hallmarking is to confirm the purity and fineness of the metal. This process helps stop fraud by guaranteeing that the gold jewellery meets the right standards. A hallmark includes details like the purity level and a special stamp that proves the metal is genuine. The same applies to other precious metals like silver and platinum, ensuring customers get the real deal.
Types of Precious Metals Covered Under Hallmarking
These hallmarking standards help ensure that gold, silver, and platinum items meet quality and legal standards, giving both jewellers and buyers confidence in the product’s authenticity.
Gold
For gold, hallmarking ensures different levels of purity. The hallmark shows a stamp with the karat of the gold item. Examples include:
For platinum, hallmarking shows the metal’s purity. The symbols include:
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) plays an important role in maintaining the purity and quality of precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum. Here’s how BIS oversees the hallmarking process:
Understanding the key benefits of hallmark registration highlights its vital role in ensuring quality, trust, and legal compliance in the jewellery industry for both jewellers and consumers:
India’s laws for hallmark registration ensure that precious metals like gold and silver meet high standards for purity and quality. These laws are based on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016, which provides the rules for the hallmarking process.
Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 The BIS Act, 2016 is the main law that gives BIS the power to set rules and standards for many products, including precious metals. BIS uses this law to make sure that products follow Indian standards and are safe and reliable. It allows BIS to issue notifications, orders, and rules to maintain these standards.
Mandatory Hallmarking Rules for Precious Metals Starting on 1st July 2021, it became mandatory for all gold jewellery in India to have a hallmark. From April 1st, 2023, this rule expanded to include more jewellers and areas. Jewellers now must ensure that all their gold jewellery has the BIS mark and a HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) number to confirm its purity and fineness. The hallmark shows the carat, purity, and certification from an approved assay centre.
Compliance with BIS Guidelines for Jewellers Jewellers must follow BIS rules by registering with BIS and getting their products tested at BIS-approved assay centres. They must ensure that all gold jewellery and other precious metals meet the required purity and fineness standards. Jewellers must also display the hallmark symbol in their stores, so customers can trust the quality of the jewellery.
Enforcement of Hallmarking Standards The BIS Act, 2016 and the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Artefacts Order, 2020, require jewellers to get a BIS licence to sell hallmarked jewellery. BIS audits and checks jewellers and assay centres regularly to ensure they follow the rules. If jewellers don't follow these laws, they can face penalties, suspension of their licences, or legal action.