Hallmarking Scheme

Why in news?

• The second phase of the mandatory hallmarking vide Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artifacts (Amendment) Order, 2022 will come into force from June 01, 2022.

More about the news:

• Earlier, it was optional for the jewellers and thus only 40% of gold jewellery was getting hallmarked.
• In 2021, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution made it mandatory for the hallmarking of gold jewellery, which will be implemented in a phased manner.

What is Hallmarking?

• Hallmarking is the accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in precious metal articles.
• Hallmarks is thus a guarantee of purity or fineness of precious metal articles.
• The principle objectives of Hallmarking are to protect the public against adulteration and to obligate manufacturers to maintain legal standards of fineness.

Metals covered under the purview of hallmarking in India:

• Gold jewellery and gold artefacts.
• Silver jewellery and silver artefacts.

Operated by:

• The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) operates the gold and silver hallmarking scheme in India.
• According to the scheme, BIS certified jewellers can get their jewellery hallmarked from any of the BIS recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centres.

Exceptions:

• Export and re-import of jewellery as per Trade Policy of Government of India, jewellery for international exhibitions, jewellery for government-approved B2B domestic exhibitions.
• Watches, fountain pens and special types of jewellery such as Kundan, Polki and Jadau.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following metals are covered under BIS Hallmarking Scheme:

1. Gold

2. Silver

3. Platinum

4. Diamond

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1,2 and 3 only

Answer