The Indian government has recently announced the expansion of mandatory hallmarking for gold jewellery and artefacts, extending it to 361 districts across the country.
This decision, formalised through a Gazette notification on 5 November 2024, adds 18 new districts to the existing list of 343 where hallmarking is already a legal requirement. Key regions gaining hallmarking coverage in this phase include Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, with each state adding four districts. The mandate is intended to improve the traceability and authenticity of gold sold across India, strengthening consumer assurance.
Overview of BIS Hallmarking Expansion
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) initially implemented mandatory hallmarking on 23 June 2021, covering 256 districts in what was designated as the first phase. Since then, the mandate has been gradually expanded. On 4 April 2022, the second phase brought hallmarking to 32 additional districts, leading to the hallmarking of over 400,000 gold articles daily, each assigned a unique Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number.
The third phase followed in September 2023, adding another 55 districts to the mandatory hallmarking network, increasing the total to 343. With this latest expansion, hallmarking regulations now apply to an additional 18 districts across 11 states and union territories, reaching a total of 361 districts nationwide.
Consumer Assurance Through HUID Verification
In line with the expansion, BIS continues to promote the use of its “Verify HUID” feature on the BIS Care app. This tool, available for download on the Play Store, enables consumers to verify the authenticity and purity of their hallmarked gold by cross-referencing the HUID number. This verification process helps consumers ensure that the gold they purchase meets certified purity standards, a relevant safeguard in India’s extensive gold market.
Industry Implications of the Expanded Hallmarking Mandate
For jewellers, the extension of mandatory hallmarking presents several implications. Compliance with hallmarking requirements across the expanded district list necessitates operational adjustments for businesses in the newly included areas. As the hallmarking mandate is now enforced in a majority of the country, jewellers are encouraged to implement or update systems for efficient HUID verification and transparent reporting of gold purity to consumers.
This expansion supports the regulatory framework around gold authenticity and aligns with international standards in precious metal verification. Jewellers are now responsible for ensuring that their gold inventory complies with BIS standards and that relevant staff are trained in HUID processes.
Availability of Updated Information on BIS Hallmarking
The BIS has made the updated list of districts and hallmarking guidelines accessible on its official website, providing jewellers and consumers with essential information for compliance. The BIS Care app remains an integral resource for jewellers aiming to support consumer confidence through the HUID verification process.
With hallmarking now mandatory in 361 districts, the jewellery industry faces increased quality assurance requirements, potentially bolstering consumer confidence in gold purity.
