BIS hallmarking awareness week begins

Kumar further averred,“Also,the cost of certification,as specified by BIS,ranges between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000 across different states,which is too high for a period of three years. Besides,there are no security provisions at the centres. In case an article gets misplaced,the jeweller needs to bear the brunt.”

Addressing the jewellers’ concerns,Anil Kumar Arora,Head (hallmarking) BIS,said,“BIS has rationalised the fee structure for jewellers and also simplified the procedure for grant of licence. Government of India gives a one-time financial incentive of 30 per cent of the cost of machinery and equipment for setting up hallmarking and assaying centres.”

Kumar also said that the under a new set of standards,IS151829,which will be introduced by BIS shortly,the equipments at all the 11 testing centres across the country will be upgraded to enhance accuracy. Also,faculty crunch at the centres will be addressed to ensure safety of the gold and silver articles.

At present,there are two hallmarking centres in the city including VB Enterprises in Sector 17 and Om Diamond and Gems lab in Sector 23. Officials informed that another lab is being set up in Sector 23.

Hallmark certified jewellery must carry a set of five marks including BIS standard mark,fineness (a millesimal number indicative of gold content on a scale of 1000),hallmarking centre’s mark,year of marking and jeweller’s mark.

“Buyers can get their jewellery hallmarked simply by visiting any hallmark centre and paying Rs 100 per article,as per BIS guidelines,” said Kumar.

“The purpose of hallmarking is to help the consumer know about the exact quantity of gold or silver present in the ornament or article so that he pays the right amount for it,” he added.