After implementation of the first phase of mandatory hallmarking by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in 256 districts of the country, starting June 23 2021, wherein more than 3 lakh gold articles have been hallmarked with HUID every day, the second phase will begin from June 1 2022.

This was notified by the government through Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts (Amendment) Order, 2022, dated April 4 2022, as per a BIS release.

The second phase of the mandatory hallmarking will cover additional three caratages of gold jewellery/artefacts such as 20, 23 and 24 carats, as mentioned in the Indian Standard IS 1417.

The list of districts is available on the BIS website, www.bis.gov.in

BIS has made a provision to allow consumers to test the purity of their un-hallmarked gold jewellery at any of the BIS recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHC). The AHC shall undertake the testing of gold jewellery from consumers on a priority basis, and provide a test report to the consumer.

The test report will also be useful if consumers wish to sell the jewellery lying with them.

The charges for testing of gold jewellery up to four articles is Rs 200. For five or more articles, the charges are Rs 45 per article.

The detailed guidelines on testing of gold jewellery of consumers and the list of recognized AHCs can be accessed through the BIS website.

The authenticity and purity of the hallmarked gold jewellery items with the HUID number can also be verified by using ‘verify HUID’ in the BIS CARE app, which can be downloaded from play store.