HALLMARK CERTIFICATION

The Indian government has established Hallmark Certification as an optional certification program for authenticating valuable metal goods. The program aims to protect consumers, regulate the quality of valuable metal items, and enhance the confidence and trust of consumers in the jewellery industry.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is responsible for setting national standards for products and services in India, issues the Hallmark Certification according to the Bureau of Indian Standards Act 1986.

The Hallmark Certification is an optional program for valuable metal products, such as gold, silver, and platinum, that assures the authenticity and quality level of the metal. It is required for all gold and silver jewelry sales in India and is only granted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

There are two steps involved in the certification process, which are testing and hallmarking. During the first stage, various analytical techniques are used to determine the purity and quality of the metal product. If the product successfully passes these tests, it goes through the hallmarking process where a mark or stamp is imprinted onto the metal to show its purity and quality. This hallmark includes the BIS logo, details about the product’s quality, the identification of the assaying and hallmarking center, and the year it was marked.

The certification provided by Hallmark has multiple benefits for consumers. Initially, it reassures that the metal item is of high quality and free from impurities. The hallmark present on the metal item verifies that the metal content complies with the stated standards. Additionally, Hallmark Certification assures that consumers receive fair monetary value for their purchase. Lastly, the certification encourages fair and ethical conduct within the jewellery industry by promoting openness.

Hallmark Certification provides multiple benefits to jewellery vendors. To begin with, it enables them to uphold the standard of their merchandise. Additionally, it allows them to establish reliability and assurance in their offerings in the eyes of customers. The third benefit relates to setting their products apart from those of dishonest dealers who peddle substandard items.

The implementation of the Hallmark Certification has had a positive impact on the quality of precious metal products in India. In addition, it has played a significant role in fostering consumer trust and increasing confidence in the jewellery market. Individuals have become more mindful of the significance of Hallmark Certification and are now requesting certified jewellery from jewellers. This has resulted in jewellers feeling compelled to uphold the standard of their products and embrace ethical practices within the jewellery industry.

To summarize, the Indian government created the Hallmark Certification program to ensure the quality of valuable metal goods, but it is not mandatory. The certification is provided by the Bureau of Indian Standards and confirms that the item is pure and of a high grade. Hallmark Certification has contributed to enhancing the quality of valuable metal goods in India and has also instilled trust and assurance among consumers when purchasing jewelry.

TYPES OF HALLMARK CERTIFICATION:

There exist two categories of Hallmark Certification.

Gold jewellery of 14, 18, and 22 carats purity can obtain Hallmark Certification.
Silver items that have a purity level of at least 925 are qualified to receive recognition through the Hallmark Certification.

REGISTRATION PROCESS:

The first step the jeweller or manufacturer must take is to request Hallmark Certification from BIS.
The necessary paperwork, including evidence of identification, residency, and business enrollment, must accompany the form.
Following this, BIS will inspect the manufacturing site to verify that it adheres to the required quality guidelines.
After the approval of the manufacturing facility, the jeweller can begin submitting their merchandise for assessment and certification of quality.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

Proof of one’s identity can be established through documents such as PAN card, Aadhaar card or Voter ID.
Documentation that confirms a person’s residential address is known as proof of address. This evidence includes items such as an electricity bill, water bill, and other similar documents.
Evidence of having registered the business (including GST certificate, trade license, and so on).
Certificate that authorizes the manufacturing facility

COST AND TIME INVOLVED:

The price of obtaining Hallmark Certification is determined by the quantity and quality of the metal items to be certified, with charges ranging from INR 35 to INR 200 per item. The duration it takes to complete the Hallmark Certification process varies depending on the workload of the center, taking approximately 7-15 days.

ADVANTAGES:

The metal item is ensured to be pure and of high quality.
Assists in advancing honesty and moral principles within the field of jewellery.
Establishes trust and assurance in the product among customers.
Assists in distinguishing merchandise from that of dishonest merchants who vend substandard goods.

DISADVANTAGES:

Small-scale jewellery makers or manufacturers face high expenses.
Extra expenses for bringing items to the Hallmarking facility.
Time-consuming process.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:

According to the BIS Act of 2016, it is compulsory for all gold and silver jewelry sold in India to have a Hallmark Certification.
The regulations of the BIS Hallmarking, 2018 encompass the process of marking gold and silver jewelry.
The Hallmarking Scheme in India can only be operated by the BIS, as they are the sole authorized agency.
The BIS guidelines and procedures for hallmarking must be adhered to by all Hallmarking Centres.

RULES FOR HALLMARK CERTIFICATION:

Hallmarking is only permitted for gold and silver items that adhere to the BIS’s established purity requirements.
Gold jewellery must have a degree of purity equivalent to 14, 18 or 22 carats.
Silver articles must have a purity level of at least 925.
Hallmark certification can only be issued by Hallmarking Centers that hold BIS certification.
The Hallmark must contain the BIS emblem, measure, examining, and hallmark center’s symbol, and the year of marking.
Hallmarking centers are obligated to keep a record of all the items they authenticate which must include the date of authentication, the nature of the item, and all details regarding the hallmarking process.
Individuals or organizations who break the Hallmarking Regulations can face penalties and be subjected to legal consequences.

CONCLUSION:

Hallmark Certification is an obligatory procedure for all gold and silver jewellery that undergoes sale in India. It guarantees that the jewellery obeys the stated standard and cultivates the practice of morality in the business. Despite being pricey and consuming time, the advantages of obtaining Hallmark Certification are superior to the drawbacks. To avoid legal consequences and garner customers’ faith and certainty, jewellers and manufacturers must adhere to the Hallmarking guidelines.

To summarize, it is vital to have proper legal regulations and guidelines for Hallmark Certification to maintain the genuineness and excellence of gold and silver products sold in India. The BIS is the sole agency that is authorized to carry out Hallmarking, and they play a significant role in managing the industry and promoting honesty and moral practices. Jewellers and manufacturers must adhere to the Hallmarking regulations to avoid any legal repercussions and establish credibility and faith amongst customers.