The Indian government is evaluating the introduction of mandatory hallmarking for silver jewellery and artefacts, following consumer demands for improved quality assurance. The announcement was made during the Bureau of Indian Standards’ (BIS) 78th Foundation Day event on 6 January 2025, where Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi asked BIS to assess the proposal’s feasibility and consult stakeholders.
Current Hallmarking Framework
Hallmarking is currently mandatory only for gold jewellery and artefacts in India, a measure implemented in June 2021. This system certifies the purity of gold using a unique six-digit alphanumeric Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) code. Since its launch, over 44.28 crore gold items have been hallmarked, with daily hallmarking exceeding 400,000 pieces.
The gold hallmarking system has increased trust in the quality of gold jewellery and is viewed as a model for extending similar measures to silver. According to BIS Director General Pramod Kumar Tiwari, consultations with stakeholders, including jewellers and consumers, have shown widespread support for this extension.
Feasibility and Timeline
Minister Joshi noted that BIS has been tasked with examining the technical and operational feasibility of mandatory hallmarking for silver. “I have asked BIS to work out feasibility and take reactions from consumers and ornament dealers. We will consult all stakeholders and start the process,” he stated.
BIS officials have indicated that, subject to consultation outcomes, the hallmarking of silver could potentially be implemented within three to six months. “Several rounds of discussions were held with stakeholders, and they are in favour of it. The discussion on printing a unique six-digit alphanumeric code is going on,” said Tiwari.
Industry Considerations
Expanding hallmarking requirements to silver would extend India’s quality assurance measures across a wider range of jewellery products. Jewellers would need to adjust their operations, including registering with BIS and ensuring that their products comply with new hallmarking requirements.
The introduction of mandatory hallmarking for gold led to a significant rise in registered jewellers, increasing from 34,647 in 2021 to 194,039 by late 2024. Similarly, the number of assaying and hallmarking centres grew from 945 to 1,622 nationwide. A comparable scale-up would likely be necessary for silver hallmarking, creating additional infrastructure demands for the industry.
Strengthening Consumer Confidence
The hallmarking system aims to bolster consumer trust by providing a reliable certification of purity. The BIS CARE mobile app, already used to verify gold hallmarks, allows consumers to check the HUID number for details on product purity, the jeweller, and the hallmarking centre. It also enables complaints about any misuse of BIS marks. This system could be expanded to include silver, offering similar assurances for these products.
Stakeholders await further developments as BIS completes its consultations and feasibility study. The potential implementation of mandatory silver hallmarking underscores the need for jewellers to remain informed about regulatory changes and to prepare for operational adjustments to meet evolving industry standards.
