How Jewelry Manufacturers Can Obtain BIS Hallmark for Authentic Products?

India is the sole location where gold jewelry carries substantial cultural and economic importance. To maintain the Indian economic significance of gold, verification of gold purity and authenticity becomes important. To ensure the purity and authenticity of gold, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmark registration comes into play. This signifies that the gold jewelry manufacturers first meet the specified regulatory standards before they sell in the market. 

Securing the BIS hallmark registration is not optional for manufacturers, but it is a legal formality. Hallmark licensing is a tool to boost the confidence of customers and stay compliant in a competitive market. BIS registration is important to protect customers from poor-quality gold. Let us explore this blog to uncover the pathway for manufacturers to obtain a BIS hallmark license, including the process, requirements, and additional information.

What is the BIS Hallmark Certification?

The hallmark licensing acts as a certification mark that guarantees the customers of gold purity and authenticity. It signifies that the jewelry possesses the accurate percentage of gold components. The hallmark works as a seal of approval from the government. It further assures that the gold customers are buying meets the specified quality and purity standards. To a normal eye, the purity of metal cannot be determined; therefore, the hallmark registration in India is important.

For customers, licensing provides numerous advantages:

Assured Purity: The license guarantees to buyers that the metal, like silver, gold, and others, is certified. It is crucial to protect them from fraudsters who provide low-quality metal despite charging a high amount. 

Transparency: Hallmarking gold and other metals is the way to get the details of their purity. The buyers can get the details of the gold’s authenticity as well as the jeweler’s identity.

Trust and Confidence: When the buyers come to know that the gold is BIS certified, they feel more confident to purchase it. 

Better Resale Value: Unlike the unregistered metals, hallmarked gold has a high resale value is high. The BIS-certified gold possesses a better resale value due to its guaranteed purity. 

The BIS hallmark certification is crucial for jewelry manufacturers because:

Enhanced Credibility: The BIS hallmark registration certificate creates a reputational image for manufacturers. It further showcases the commitment of jewelry manufacturers to quality and purity.

Legal Compliance: BIS hallmark registration is compulsory for all gold jewelers. In India, without a hallmark, you cannot sell the jewelry. However, if you are found guilty of non-compliance, you can suffer from potential penalties, including imprisonment

Market Advantage: To enter booming Indian markets, only BIS hallmarked jewelry is preferred. It gives a unique place in the competitive market. 

What are the Different Marks on Gold Jewelry?

The online BIS hallmark registration system in India was established in 2018; however, it became operational in 2021. The hallmark regulations were published to focus on metal purity to prevent buyers from buying low-quality metals. The types of compulsory hallmarks are

1. BIS logo: When buying gold or other precious metals, customers can find a triangular mark. The symbol determines that the product has been verified by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Overall, the certified jewelry signifies that the products meet the standards set by BIS.
2. Purity Grade and Fineness: This hallmark determines the gold percentage in jewelry. It signifies whether your gold jewelry is 22 karats, 18 karats, or 14 karats. Meanwhile, the fineness mark is to showcase how pure the metal is. 22KT gold indicates that the jewelry contains 91.6 percent gold.
3. HUID: For authenticity and transparency, a 6-digit unique identification number is mandated to be used by the Bureau of Indian Standards. It means the gold jewelry must bear the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number. This new system makes the tracking of the metals easier. With this unique number, the buyers can get the details of the jewelry, including the jeweler. 

User Query: How does BIS Hallmark help to find genuine Gold products?

 

The Process of Obtaining BIS Hallmark Registration

The lengthy BIS hallmark registration certificate process can seem complex. But the jewelry manufacturers can get the hallmark certificate easily by following these steps. Here’s a breakdown of the general procedure:

1. Understanding the Requirements

Before applying for a hallmark license, it is essential to understand the authority requirements. This includes:

• Your business must be registered legally, whether as a proprietorship, company or partnership. The registered office must be located in India and possess a valid address.
• The jewelry showroom or manufacturing unit should have premium facilities and also follow the quality control measures. It is essential to adhere to BIS-specified standards. 
• Go through the guidelines of the Bureau of Indian Standards to determine the IS for your specified metal jewelry. For example, IS 1417 is for gold, and IS 2112 is for silver jewelry. 

2. Gathering Necessary Documents

For Hallmark licensing, the documentation is critical. In the hallmark registration online process, documents are required as proof. The documents that are required to prepare are

• Proof of legal business registration (e.g., certificate of incorporation, registered partnership deed, or CA certificate).
• Proof of business address, like a GST registration certificate, a recent property tax bill, a rent agreement, or another certificate that can act as business address proof.
• For the proof of annual turnover, the established organizations can provide the GST return, while the startups can submit a formal letter. 
• Authorized signature ID proof like an Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving license, or passport. 
• Complete information on the showroom, including its machinery facilities and quality control measures.

3. Online Portal Registration and Application Submission

The BIS hallmark certification process has become a seamless digital registration. Now, the manufacturers can apply through the online BIS portal.

• If you are new to the BIS online portal, you are required to register by providing your email ID and mobile number.
• Select the right application form and fill it out. Carefully fill out the details of the premises, including the business registration details, GST number, and other important details. 
• With the hallmark application, attach the supported documents. The submitted documents must be clear, error-free, and scanned copies. Use the PDF, JPG, JPEG, or PNG method to submit documents. 

4. Registration Fee Payment

You need to pay the hallmark registration fees on the basis of your organization’s turnover. No need to worry, as the online BIS portal automatically calculates how much you are required to pay. 

• If your turnover is up to Rs 5 crore, you need to pay Rs 7,000. 
• Between Rs 5 crore and Rs 25 crore, the cost is Rs 15,000. 
• Between Rs 25 crore and Rs 100 crore, the cost is Rs 40,000
• Turnover of up to Rs 100 crore needs to pay Rs 80,000.

5. Scrutiny and Verification by BIS

Before issuing a hallmark certificate, your submitted application and documents will be verified by the Bureau of Indian Standards officials. If the official raises the query, you need to respond immediately. 

6. Inspection by BIS (if applicable)

Inspection will be conducted if needed.

• To ensure the manufacturing process facilities and other compliance, an inspection will be conducted by the BIS officials. 
• Your premises will be verified to ensure the facilities, including quality control orders and compliance. 
• The premises inspection is important to ensure whether the manufacturers are maintaining jewelry purity and quality. 

7. Grant of BIS Hallmark Registration

A license will be granted following thorough verification.

• If the application, documents, and the inspection results meet the regulatory-specified requirements, the Bureau of Indian Standards issues a BIS hallmark license.
• The hallmark registration certificate will be issued in digital form, and you can also download it from the online portal. 
• BIS additionally assigns a distinct identification number along with a hallmark license.

8. Engaging with Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs)

After the complete BIS registration and hallmark license approval, the jewelry manufacturer is required to engage with AHC. These are BIS-certified laboratories that test precious metals to ensure their purity. 

9. Post-Registration Compliance and Renewal

Getting the BIS hallmark license is not a one-time requirement. Even after the license approval, you need to adhere to regulatory-specified requirements. 

The sudden inspection can take place to ensure ongoing compliance. The BIS official will ensure the premises facilities, in-house testing equipment, and much more. 

To continue the operation, the manufacturers are required to renew the hallmark registration. 

Final Discussion | Hallmark Registration Online in India

In essence, the BIS hallmark is the symbol of trust and confidence. Possessing a hallmark license is crucial for selling gold jewelry in Indian markets. For jewelry manufacturers, navigating the BIS registration process is crucial to ensure legal compliance. Hallmark further boosts the manufacturers, which directly increases sales. The manufacturers can stand out excellently in competitive markets by following the BIS registration process and by complying with legal standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards. To operate your business legally in India, it is essential to secure a license. To make the process seamless, get in touch with LegalRaasta Pvt Ltd experts. 

FAQ | BIS Hallmark Certification in India

1. How to get the hallmark licensing for gold jewelry?

Ans. For online hallmark registration, you need to register with the Bureau of Indian Standards. 

2. How can I check the hallmarked jewelry’s authenticity?

Ans. To ensure the authenticity of gold, visit the BIS Care app and enter the 6-digit unique identification number.

3. Who allocates the BIS hallmark?

Ans. The Assaying & Hallmarking Centre is located all over the nation and is responsible for giving the BIS hallmark.

4. What is the cost of a hallmark of BIS?

Ans. The hallmarking fee for the gold jewelry piece amounts to Rs 45 plus GST. Meanwhile, for a piece of jewelry, the cost is Rs 35 plus GST. 

5. How is the BIS hallmark different from HUID?

Ans. BIS hallmark determines the metal purity, while HUID is a unique identification number of the metal to ensure traceability and authentication.