Hallmark Registration in India

Hallmark Registration - an Overview

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.

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:

• 999: This is 24-karat gold with 99.9% purity, the purest form of gold.
• The hallmark also has symbols that show the gold's purity and authenticity.

Role of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in Hallmarking

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:

• Creating Standards: BIS sets rules that make sure the fineness and quality of gold, silver, and platinum are maintained. This protects buyers from fraud.
• Managing the Hallmarking Scheme: BIS runs the hallmarking scheme, which tells jewellers how to certify their products and follow strict quality standards.
• Certification: BIS gives certifications to jewellers and manufacturers that meet these standards. Only certified jewellers can use the hallmark stamp to prove their products’ purity.
• Ensuring Purity: BIS checks that the certified metals stay pure and fine, so consumers know they’re getting high-quality products.
• Consistency: BIS makes sure the hallmarking process is the same for everyone. The hallmark symbols and procedures stay consistent for all jewellers.
• Handling Complaints: BIS has a system where buyers can report any issues with hallmarked jewellery. BIS ensures these problems are solved to protect consumers.
• Helping Manufacturers: BIS works with manufacturers to help them follow the rules and get their products certified under the hallmarking scheme.
• Auditing and Checking: BIS regularly checks hallmarking centers to make sure they’re following the rules, keeping the process fair and trustworthy.

In this way, BIS ensures that gold, silver, and platinum meet high-quality standards, making it easier for consumers to trust the jewellery they buy.

• Credibility: Hallmark registration boosts the credibility of jewellers by confirming that their products meet established standards for purity and quality.
• Building Trust: The hallmarking process fosters consumer trust, as buyers are confident that the gold or silver they purchase is genuine and meets the correct fineness standards.
• Consumer Confidence: Registered hallmark jewellery strengthens the client-customer relationship, enhancing consumer confidence in the quality of the precious metals being bought.
• Legal Protection: Jewellers with hallmark registration gain legal protection by ensuring they comply with BIS guidelines, safeguarding them against potential violations.
• Quality Assurance: The hallmark serves as a certification of the purity and quality of gold and silver, assuring consumers of the authenticity of their purchase.
• Registration Certificate: The hallmark registration certificate adds significant value to the jewellery, acting as proof that the product meets regulatory standards.
• Transparency: Hallmarking encourages transparency in the jewellery trade, promoting fair practices and protecting buyers from fraud.
• Cost Efficiency: Though there are compliance costs, the advantages of hallmark registration, such as increased trust and legal protection, make the investment worthwhile.
• Protection for Buyers: Hallmark registration ensures that consumers get gold and silver of the required quality and purity, protecting them from purchasing substandard products.
• Enhanced Value: Jewellery with a hallmark holds higher market value due to the guarantee of its purity and compliance with BIS standards.

These advantages underscore the long-term positive impact of hallmark registration on the jewellery industry, benefiting both jewellers and customers by ensuring trust, quality, and transparency.

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.

Who Needs to Apply for Hallmark Registration?

Below is the list of those who need to apply for hallmark registration:

• Jewellers and Retailers: If you sell gold or precious metal jewellery, you must get hallmark registration to prove your products are real and meet purity levels.
• Jewellery Manufacturers: If you make jewellery from gold or precious metals, you must register so your products can be certified before being sold.
• Exporters and Importers: If you bring gold or other precious metals in or out of India, you need to register to prove your products meet quality standards.

• Consultation: The first step is to consult with Vakilsearch to understand the hallmark registration process, fees, and requirements. You can contact Vakilsearch through their website, email, or phone. We would do this process of hallmark registration online.
• Documentation: After the consultation, Vakilsearch will guide you on the required documents and information to complete the registration process. This includes the application form, proof of ownership of the precious metal, and any other relevant documents.
• Application Submission: Once the required documents have been collected, Vakilsearch will help you submit your hallmark registration application to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
• Application Review: The nearest hallmarking centre will review your application and perform an inspection of the precious metal to ensure that it meets the required standards.
• Hallmarking: After the inspection, if your precious metal meets the required standards, the BIS will hallmark it with a unique code that represents the quality and authenticity of the metal.
• Issuance of Certificate: The BIS will issue a certificate of hallmark registration to you once the precious metal has been successfully hallmarked.
• Renewal: The hallmark registration is valid for a period of one year, after which it must be renewed. Vakilsearch can help you with the renewal process.

• Ensuring Compliance with Hallmarking Guidelines

  Businesses need to follow BIS rules after getting their license. All gold and precious metals must be tested at BIS-authorized centres before they can be sold.

• Testing and Certification of Precious Metals at BIS-Authorized Hallmarking Centres

  Jewellery and precious metals must be tested for purity at BIS-approved centres. They will then receive a certificate that proves they meet the required standards.

• Regular Audits by BIS Officials

  BIS regularly checks (audits) businesses to ensure they are following the rules, including the proper use of the hallmark and testing procedures.

• Maintenance of Records and Documentation

  Businesses must keep records of their transactions and certifications. These records should show details of the metals tested and the certificates received.

• Renewal of Hallmark Registration

  The hallmark license must be renewed before it expires. Businesses need to submit a renewal application, pay a fee, and provide any updated information.

• Look for the BIS Hallmark: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is responsible for hallmarking jewellery in India. Look for the BIS hallmark on the jewellery, which consists of a triangle shape with the letters 'BIS' inside it.
• Check the Purity Grade: The hallmark will also include the purity grade of the metal, which ranges from 14 karats to 22 karats for gold jewellery and from 825 to 999 for silver jewellery. The purity grade will be marked alongside the BIS logo.
• Look for the Jeweller's Identification Mark: Every jeweller that registers with the BIS is assigned a unique identification mark that is engraved on the jewellery. This identification mark can be in the form of a logo or a code.
• Check the Year of Hallmarking: The year of hallmarking is also engraved on the jewellery, indicating the year in which the jewellery was hallmarked. This is important as the hallmarking standards can change over time.
• Verify the Hallmark: You can verify the authenticity of the hallmark by checking the BIS website or by using the BIS mobile app. Enter the unique hallmarking code to verify the authenticity of the jewellery.