Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai. The government has mandated that gold coins will not be sold without hallmarking in 11 states. This rule, aimed at ensuring authenticity and protecting consumers from adulteration, has been in force since June 23, 2021. The hallmarking rule was introduced in 2021 and is being implemented gradually across the country. Recently, the government announced the enforcement of this rule in 11 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. In these states, gold coins and jewelry cannot be sold without the BIS hallmark certification.

Rising Number of Registered Jewelers

The hallmarking initiative has led to a significant increase in the number of registered jewelers. According to government data, the number of registered jewelers has surged from 34,647 in the past to 1,94,039. Similarly, hallmarking centers have increased from 945 to 1,622, enabling better implementation of the rule.

BIS Care App for Verification

To help consumers verify the authenticity of hallmarked gold, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced the BIS Care mobile app. Customers can use this app to check hallmark certifications, ensure the quality of their gold purchases, and even lodge complaints about any discrepancies.

Government’s Move to Curb Fraud

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has emphasized the importance of hallmarking to curb the sale of adulterated gold and protect consumers. The government has urged buyers to always check for hallmark certification before purchasing gold to ensure its authenticity.