BIS may give legal recognition to gold jewellery hallmarking

The government is likely to amend the Bureau of Indian Standards Act (BIS Act, 1986), which will provide legal recognition to the hallmarking of precious metals and jewellery, including gold. However, the government is yet to take a final decision on this. The decision is expected to come only after further assessment of consumer needs by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, says a report.

The BIS will soon be positioned as the National Standards Body of India. Currently, the BIS certifies gold quality of as low as nine carat (K). BIS identifies hallmarking centres and gives recognition. All jewellery that is sold then is guaranteed as to the quality. However, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan at a meeting of stakeholders on the amendment of the BIS Act has raised concern if jewellers are disclosing quality grades to consumers, adds a report.

In 2000, government introduced hallmarking of gold jewellery, which assures customers of its purity; jewellers are required to get licences from the BIS and get goods hallmarked by one of 300 BIS-authorised centres. According to the standards authority, there are almost 13,000 licensed domestic jewellers. The sellers can be penalised through a fine or have their licences revoked if they are found misusing the license, adds a report.