The government’s standard-setting body Bureau of Indian Standards has said that it will not extend April 1 deadline for making six-digit alphanumeric HUID mandatory for gold hallmarked jewellery.

Hallmarking had been made mandatory from 23 June 2021 only in 256 districts of the Country which had at least one recognized Assaying & Hallmarking Centre

The second phase of the mandatory hallmarking will cover additional three caratages of gold jewellery/artefacts such as 20, 23 and 24 carats, as mentioned in the Indian Standard IS 1417

Nearly 150 market samples are being lifted from registered jewellers in Chennai and its neighbouring districts and Puducherry every month and tested

According to GJC, jewellers will go on a token strike on August 23 against ‘arbitrary implementation’ of hallmarking

Speaking at a webinar organised by the Bureau of Indian Standards, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, to discuss gold hallmarking, the Union Minister said that constructive suggestions will be incorporated and teething issues in implementation would be resolved by the committee

Gold hallmarking was set to become mandatory with effect from 15th January, 2021

The Year That Was

The BIS has formulated standards for gold jewellery of three grades — 14, 18 and 22 carat
 

As per global trade rules of WTO, a member country has to notify a quality control order with the Geneva-based multilateral body and the process takes about two months time

India being a signatory to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), it is required to notify the WTO before introducing any mandatory regulation

The Council will be inaugurated by the Honourable Union Minister Suresh Prabhu

India has over 220 BIS-recognised assaying and hallmarking centres; and maximum of them are located in Tamil Nadu, followed by Kerala.

A holistic marketing campaign aims to create awareness amongst consumers to buy hallmarked gold during festive season.