BIS HALLMARKING: Indians have been fascinated with gold since ancient times. Gold remains a popular investment option, especially during uncertain times. To protect consumers from adulteration and ensure a legal standard of purity, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduced the Jewellers Registration scheme. The gold hallmarking scheme was launched in 2000, and the silver hallmarking scheme followed in 2005. Under this initiative, a BIS hallmark license is mandatory for manufacturing or selling gold or silver jewellery.
The number of registered jewellers has grown by an average of 18% over the past three years. Similarly, the number of Assaying & Hallmarking (A&H) Centres has increased by about 25% annually.
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Without adequate examination, it is impossible to identify gold purity by look or touch. Two ornaments with identical design may vary significantly in gold content. BIS Hallmark Registration ensures transparency by providing verified details about purity and origin.
A hallmark is an official stamp or series of stamps on metal items, confirming the amount of precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. BIS hallmarking for gold and silver in India verifies the metal's purity before it's sold to consumers.
Previously, the BIS hallmark for gold items comprised five distinct components (old method). These ensure that the item meets BIS purity standards.
These marks are all visible on hallmarked jewellery and are critical in verifying its purity and source.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has recently introduced a new system for marking jewellery. This updated method includes a Hallmarking Unique Identification Number (HUID) along with the BIS Hallmark and the purity grade of the metal. This makes hallmarking more traceable and reliable for consumers and authorities alike.
In November 2019, the Government of India announced that hallmarking of gold jewellery and artifacts would become mandatory nationwide starting January 15, 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation was postponed and officially commenced on June 15, 2021. The decision was made by Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal in consultation with industry stakeholders.
Hallmarking is an internationally recognized official mark placed on items made of precious metals to certify their purity. In India, this certification ensures that only registered jewellers, operating through certified sales outlets, are allowed to sell hallmarked gold articles.
As per Regulation 5 of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Hallmarking) Regulations, 2018, only those jewellers who fulfill the specified terms and conditions and obtain a certificate of registration are permitted to sell BIS-hallmarked precious metal items.
The official BIS website provides lists of:
A BIS Hallmarking Licence (Certificate of Registration) is mandatory for jewellers wishing to manufacture or sell hallmarked gold and silver jewellery. The hallmark must be applied by an Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC) recognized by BIS.
The BIS hallmarking process consists of the following three critical steps:
This updated system enhances traceability, prevents fraud, and assures customers of genuine purity and certified origin in every hallmarked item.
Jewellers who wish to sell BIS Hallmarked gold jewellery or artefacts must obtain hallmarking registration from BIS for each of their showrooms. Registration is location-specific and is granted once the application form, supporting documents, and registration fee are submitted and approved, along with signing the required operational agreement with BIS.
If the jeweller intends to sell silver jewellery or artefacts as well, a separate registration must be obtained by submitting an additional application specific to silver hallmarking.
After obtaining the licence, the jeweller must comply with the agreement's terms. Any deviation in metal purity or non-compliance with BIS standards may lead to revocation of the licence and legal proceedings. BIS conducts periodic visits and collects random hallmark samples from showrooms to verify purity in government-approved labs. If discrepancies are found, both the jeweller and the hallmarking centre are held responsible.
| Sl. No. | Step | Estimated Working Days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Documentation prior to submission of application | 2–3 Working Days |
| 2 | Online portal generation on BIS website | — |
| 3 | Submission of application on BIS hallmarking portal (Manak Online) | 4–5 Working Days |
| 4 | Scrutiny of application by BIS officials | — |
| 5 | Grant of BIS Registration Certificate | — |
For official instructions, you may refer to the Guideline for Registration of Jewellers available in PDF format on the BIS website.
If a jeweller or store owner wants to sell hallmarked jewellery, the purity and quality of the gold must be verified at a BIS-certified hallmarking centre. These centres act as third-party evaluators and are licensed by BIS. Each piece of jewellery tested at these centres carries a stamp confirming its purity and quality. Hallmarking centres are usually located near jewellery markets or commercial hubs for easy access.
"Assaying" refers to the quantitative analysis of precious metals like gold or silver. It determines the exact amount of noble metal in a piece, and is a key part of the hallmarking process.
| Sl. No. | Step | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Documentation prior to application | Up to 30 Working Days |
| 2 | Online portal registration on BIS site (manakonline.in) | — |
| 3 | Infrastructure Development | — |
| 4 | CRM Sample Testing in BIS Lab | — |
| 5 | Equipment Calibration with NABL Lab | — |
| 6 | In-house Testing + Inter-Lab Comparison (ILC) | — |
| 7 | File and Format Development | — |
| 8 | Staff Training & Lab Installation | — |
| 9 | Online Application Submission with Test Report | 13–15 Working Days |
| 10 | Hard Copy Submission to BIS Office | — |
| 11 | Application Scrutiny (Pre-Audit) | — |
| 12 | On-site Inspection by BIS | — |
| 13 | Application Scrutiny (Post-Audit) | 10–15 Working Days |
| 14 | Grant of BIS Licence | — |
As per the Hallmarking Regulations, 2018, BIS hallmarking centres must pay registration fees to the BIS by the 10th of the following month. Non-compliance may result in regulatory action. For detailed fee structure and consultancy, please contact us at +91 9937784044.