By : Sheikh Mohammad Isa
Jammu: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Jammu and Kashmir Branch Office, has seized 1,095 gold-coloured jewellery articles from a jewellery outlet in Jammu during a search and seizure operation over the suspected misuse of the BIS Hallmark/Standard Mark. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
According to BIS, the jewellery outlet representative described the seized articles as “coated jewellery”, “imitation jewellery” and “1 gram gold plated jewellery” rather than gold-alloy jewellery or artefacts covered under the BIS Hallmarking Scheme.
The standards body said the articles were found carrying attached tags bearing a triangular mark that resembled or purported to be the BIS Hallmark/Standard Mark.
BIS said the jewellery items, along with relevant documentary evidence, were seized under Section 28 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. Further action will be taken under the applicable provisions of the Act, Rules and Regulations.
BIS warns against misleading hallmark claims
The BIS said using the Hallmark/Standard Mark on tags attached to coated or imitation jewellery constitutes an offence under the BIS Act.
According to the standards body, such use could give consumers a misleading impression that the jewellery itself had been tested, hallmarked or certified by BIS.
BIS has therefore advised consumers to exercise caution when purchasing gold jewellery, particularly where a BIS mark appears only on a tag, label or packaging.
Check HUID before buying hallmarked gold
BIS has advised consumers to ensure that the prescribed hallmark is present on the jewellery article itself when purchasing hallmarked gold jewellery.
Consumers should also check the six-digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) through the “Verify HUID” feature on the official BIS CARE App. BIS confirms that the app provides consumers with a facility to verify the authenticity of hallmarked jewellery using its HUID number.
The BIS says the mandatory marks on hallmarked jewellery include the BIS Standard Mark, purity/fineness and the six-digit HUID number.
Consumers urged to report suspected misuse
BIS has urged consumers and jewellers to report suspected misuse of the BIS Hallmark/Standard Mark through the BIS CARE App or by email at complaints@bis.gov.in and hjkbo@bis.gov.in.
Complaints can also be submitted to the BIS Jammu and Kashmir Branch Office at SIDCO Industrial Complex, Bari Brahmana, Jammu.
The Bureau said the identity of informants would be kept confidential.
BIS’s Jammu and Kashmir Branch Office oversees hallmarking-related work across the region, while its Jammu and Kashmir Branch Laboratory at Bari Brahmana specialises in testing the purity of gold samples.
Consumer reminder
BIS’s latest action highlights the importance of checking the actual jewellery article, rather than relying solely on a BIS-looking logo displayed on its packaging or tag.
For consumers purchasing hallmarked gold, verifying the HUID number through the BIS CARE App provides an additional way to check the jewellery before completing a purchase.
Source: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
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