The Central government has said that the gold jewellery and other artefacts can’t be sold without the mandatory Hallmark Identification Number (HUID) from April 1, 2023. Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs informed about the decision of the government at a press conference on Friday.
She said that considering the consumers’ interest, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has taken the decision to ban the sale of gold jewellery and gold artefacts without a Hallmark Identification number (HUID).
The official website of the Indian Standards (BIS) states that hallmarking is an accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of the precious metal in the gold jewellery and other items.
The ministry has also informed that a discount of 80% will be offered on certification and minimum marking fee for micro units while an additional 10% concession is reserved on certification fee for units located in the North Eastern states
After 31st March 2023, only 6 digits of alphanumeric HUIDs will be considered valid. Earlier BIS considered both 4 and 6 digits IDs valid, but now only 6-digit HUIDs will be valid. The process of adoption of hallmarking in India was started in phases
Nidhi Khare said that 10.56 crore pieces of gold jewellery articles were hallmarked during Financial Year 2022- 23.
What is hallmarking?
A hallmark is a recognised official stamp of authenticity that certifies the ‘purity or fineness of precious metal products’. The main goal of hallmarking is to safeguard the general public against the adulteration of gold by mandating manufacturers follow predetermined standards for 18, 22 and 24 carat gold.
The government had stated in November 2019 that starting from January 15, 2021, gold hallmarking would be required. However, due to the pandemic, that date was twice extended, first to June 1 and then to June 16. According to BIS, its hallmarking system features global standards for gold certification. When selling hallmarked jewellery, jewellers are required to register under the BIS system.
No sale of gold jewellery without hallmark from April 1
Sale of gold jewellery and other hallmarked items will not be allowed without a six-digit alphanumeric HUID, the government announced on Friday
From April 1, the sale of gold jewellery and other hallmarked items will not be allowed without a six-digit alphanumeric HUID, the government announced on Friday. The decision was taken after Piyush Goyal, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, chaired a meeting to review the work of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on Friday.
Gold is certified as pure by the hallmark certificate. Up until June 16, 2021, it was purely voluntary. After that, the government decided to introduce the required gold hallmarking gradually. It was made mandatory in 256 districts in the first stage, and 32 additional districts were added in the second step, bringing the total to 288 districts.
“Starting from 1st April 2023, the sale of only gold jewellery with HUID shall be permitted,” the Ministry of Consumer Affairs said.
Goyal also directed the BIS to take some steps to enhance the quality and safety of products in India. “We are committed to ensuring that all products in India meet the highest quality and safety standards. These measures shall promote micro-scale units, enhance the testing infrastructure, and develop a culture of quality consciousness among citizens,” he said.
