There is some good news for those who buy gold, but are worried about the quality and purity of the yellow metal. PM Narendra Modi-led Central government has notified in the Gazette of India that hallmarking of Gold jewellery and artefacts has been mandatory in the country w.e.f. 15-1-2021. The Modi government in the notification has given a year’s time for the implementation of this mandatory rule.

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This information was given in a written reply by the Minister Of State For Ministry Of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Danve Raosaheb Dadarao in Lok Sabha.

"Quality Control Order for Mandatory Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts Order, 2020 dated 15-1-2020 has been notified in the Gazette of India vide S.O. No. 205(E) dated 15-01-20 making hallmarking of Gold jewellery and artifacts mandatory in the country w.e.f. 15-1-2021 giving a year’s time for its implementation," an official statement said.

Here is what you as a consumer must know about the new rule, hallmarking and things related to the government's decision about gold:-

-Only three grades namely 14, 18 and 22 carats for gold jewellery and artefacts, as prescribed in Indian Standard IS: 1417: 2016 can be hallmarked.

- As on 25 Dec 2019, 892 Hallmarking and Assaying (A & H) centres throughout India have been recognized by BIS.

- The average number of articles hallmarked per day per centre in the year is nearly 225 only.

- A typical centre can hallmark 500 pieces per shift (or about 1500 pieces per day) with one set of machines. Thus, the average utilization of the capacity of the A&H centres is less than 50 % and therefore, the average utilization of the capacity of the A&H centres is less than 50% and as on date there is no capacity constraint.

- Bureau of Indian Standards organizes regular Awareness Programmes through its various Regional Offices/Branch Offices.

- Many of these awareness programmes are conducted in association with Consumer Organizations.
- These programmes focus on enhancing quality consciousness of consumers by highlighting issues of Standardization, promotion of BIS Standard Mark, Hallmarking of Gold & Silver and educating them on the misuse of BIS Standard mark & Complaint Redressal System for products with BIS Standard Mark.