In a significant move towards enhancing transparency and consumer trust, more than 40 crore (400 million) gold jewellery items have received a unique Hallmarking Unique Identification (HUID) number under the fourth phase of the Government of India’s mandatory hallmarking initiative. This marks a major step in the ongoing efforts to regulate and standardize the gold jewellery sector, ensuring that consumers receive genuine and certified products.
According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the fourth phase of mandatory hallmarking was officially launched on November 5, 2024, under the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts Amendment Order, 2024. The initiative aims to enhance consumer confidence in the gold market by ensuring the authenticity and purity of gold jewellery.
Expansion of Hallmarking Centres Across India
The fourth phase of the hallmarking initiative has seen the addition of 18 new districts, where hallmarking centres have been established to accommodate the growing demand for certification. As a result, the total number of districts covered under mandatory hallmarking has now reached 361, marking a substantial increase in the reach of this initiative.
This expansion is part of the Indian government’s broader strategy to ensure that gold jewellery sold in the country meets specific quality standards, safeguarding consumers from fraudulent practices and boosting the overall integrity of the gold market.
The Ministry has highlighted that over 4 lakh gold items are being hallmarked every day, thanks to this ambitious programme. The implementation of a unique HUID for each piece of jewellery has been a pivotal element of this effort, providing a reliable and transparent mechanism for tracking and verifying the authenticity of gold items.
Growth in Registered Jewellers and Hallmarking Centres
Since the introduction of mandatory hallmarking, there has been a remarkable increase in both the number of registered jewellers and Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) across the country. The number of registered jewellers has surged from 34,647 to an impressive 1,94,039, reflecting a more than five-fold increase in just a few years. This surge in registrations indicates the growing commitment of the jewellery industry to comply with the mandatory hallmarking regulations, further promoting consumer trust in the market.
Similarly, the number of Assaying and Hallmarking Centres, which play a crucial role in certifying the purity of gold, has increased from 945 to 1,622. This expansion not only improves accessibility for jewellers but also ensures that the hallmarking process is efficient and widespread, allowing consumers across the country to benefit from the government’s regulatory efforts.
Phased Rollout of the Hallmarking Initiative
The rollout of the hallmarking programme has been implemented in phases, with the first phase launched on June 23, 2021. This initial phase covered 256 districts and laid the foundation for the nationwide standardization of gold jewellery.
The second phase, which began on April 4, 2022, saw the addition of 32 districts, expanding the initiative further across the country. The third phase, implemented on September 6, 2023, included 55 new districts, continuing the government’s push to expand the programme’s reach.
With the commencement of the fourth phase in November 2024, the number of districts covered by mandatory hallmarking has grown significantly, with an ever-increasing number of gold items being hallmarked daily. This expansion marks a critical juncture in the implementation of the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts Amendment Order, as it continues to increase the reach of hallmarking and raises the overall standards of gold jewellery sold in the country.
BIS CARE: A Mobile App for Consumer Convenience
To further enhance the transparency of the hallmarking process, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced BIS CARE, an official mobile application designed to help consumers verify the authenticity of their gold jewellery. The app enables users to check the HUID number stamped on their jewellery and ensure its compliance with the government’s hallmarking standards.
BIS CARE empowers consumers by providing a simple and reliable tool for verifying the authenticity and purity of the gold items they purchase, which in turn helps to prevent fraud and ensures that buyers are getting exactly what they pay for.
The Impact of Hallmarking on the Gold Market
The introduction of mandatory hallmarking in India is a game-changer for the gold jewellery market. The government’s efforts to regulate the sector are expected to yield long-term benefits, not only by safeguarding consumer interests but also by improving the overall integrity of the industry.
With over 40 crore gold jewellery items now hallmarked, the market is becoming increasingly transparent, with consumers gaining more confidence in the authenticity and quality of the products they buy. This is particularly important in a country like India, where gold holds significant cultural and economic value, and a large portion of the population invests in gold jewellery.
The initiative is also likely to have a positive effect on the domestic gold jewellery industry, helping to eliminate substandard or fake gold from the market. As more jewellers comply with the hallmarking requirements, there will be less opportunity for fraudulent or low-quality products to enter the market, ultimately benefiting both consumers and reputable jewellers.
Challenges and Future Outlook
While the progress made under the hallmarking initiative is impressive, there are still challenges to be addressed. One key challenge is ensuring that all jewellers, particularly small and unorganized players, are able to meet the hallmarking requirements. Although the number of registered jewellers has grown significantly, there remains a need for continued education and support for jewellers to comply with the new regulations.
Additionally, the expansion of Assaying and Hallmarking Centres needs to keep pace with the growing demand for certification. While the number of these centres has increased, there may be regions where more centres are needed to cater to the needs of consumers and jewellers alike.
Looking ahead, the government is expected to continue expanding the hallmarking initiative to ensure that the majority of gold jewellery sold in India is hallmarked and certified for quality. As more consumers embrace the benefits of hallmarking and the BIS CARE app becomes more widely used, the gold jewellery market in India will likely see greater levels of transparency, accountability, and consumer trust.
Conclusion: A Milestone in India’s Gold Jewellery Industry
The completion of the fourth phase of mandatory hallmarking, with over 40 crore gold jewellery items hallmarked, marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to regulate and standardize the gold jewellery industry. The initiative has seen tremendous growth in the number of registered jewellers and hallmarking centres, enhancing the credibility and reliability of the gold market.
As the programme continues to expand and evolve, it is set to have a lasting impact on consumer confidence and the overall integrity of the gold jewellery market. With the BIS CARE app offering a convenient way for consumers to verify the authenticity of their purchases, and the increasing availability of hallmarking centres across the country, India’s gold market is on its way to becoming more transparent, trustworthy, and consumer-friendly than ever before.
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