The aim is to promote quality in micro scale units. It has also been decided to provide 80 percent relaxation in BIS certification minimum marking fee across various product certification schemes. Gold hallmarking is a purity certification of the precious metal gold.
It was voluntary till June 16, 2021. After that, the government decided to implement mandatory gold hallmarking in a phased manner. In the first phase it was made mandatory in 256 districts and in the second phase 32 more districts were added to the total
Hallmarking has been made mandatory in 288 districts so far. The government is adding 51 more districts. “From April 1, 2023, only gold jewelery with Hallmarking Unique ID will be allowed to be sold,” the central government said in an official statement.
Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, said that in the interest of consumers, sale of hallmarked gold jewelery and gold antiques without HUID will not be allowed after March 31. Currently, four-digit and six-digit HUIDs are used, the department said. A department official said that as part of ensuring quality product, hallmarked gold jewelery is sold across the country as per the demand of the customers.
A Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number is a six-digit alphanumeric code consisting of numbers and letters. At the time of hallmarking HUID will be assigned to all the jewels, which will be different for each jewel. The jewelery will be manually stamped with a unique number at the Assaying & Hallmarking Center (AHC). Goyal directed BIS to enhance testing infrastructure in the country.
To BIS to increase the frequency of product testing and market surveillance depending on the criticality of the components used for consumer safety
The minister said. BIS also increases the frequency of lab testing. BIS has also been directed to increase market surveillance of pressure cookers, helmets and various other consumer products to ensure product safety.
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Also, Quality Control Orders (QCOs) have been decided by BIS for 663 products. Currently 462 products are covered under QCO, the statement said. Also, units located in the North-East will continue to get an additional 10 per cent concession. We are committed to ensuring that all products in India meet the highest quality and safety standards,” Goyal said.
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