Early Times Report
AMRITSAR, Oct 22: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Jammu & Kashmir Branch Office, conducted an Enforcement Search & Seizure operation at a BIS registered jewellery outlet in Partap Bazar, Chheharta, Amritsar, following information regarding suspected violations of hallmarking requirements.
During the search, BIS officials examined gold jewellery displayed/offered for sale and seized 95 gold jewellery articles having a total gross weight of 467.44 g, for non-compliance with the applicable hallmarking requirements.
Of the articles seized, 91 gold jewellery articles weighing 447.11 g were found bearing incomplete/non-prescribed hallmarking, while 4 gold jewellery articles weighing 20.33 g were found without the prescribed BIS Hallmark. The articles with incomplete/non-prescribed hallmarking bore the BIS Hallmark logo and/or purity/fineness markings such as "916", but did not bear the prescribed HUID or complete Hallmark.
The action assumes significance from the point of view of consumer protection and authenticity of hallmarked gold jewellery. Consumers are advised that the mere presence of a BIS logo, "916", "22K916", "18K750" or similar markings by themselves should not be treated as proof of valid BIS hallmarking. Consumers should check the complete prescribed hallmark and verify the six-digit alphanumeric HUID through the "Verify HUID" feature of the BIS CARE App.
The seized articles were duly inventoried and sealed under Section 28 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. Relevant evidence has been taken up for further examination and appropriate action will be initiated in accordance with the provisions of the BIS Act, Rules, Regulations and the applicable Hallmarking Order.
BIS reiterates that registered jewellers are required to ensure that gold jewellery/artefacts offered for sale comply with the prescribed hallmarking requirements. Registration of a jewellery outlet by itself does not make every article available at the outlet BIS hallmarked; consumers should verify the hallmark on the individual article before purchase.
BIS appeals to consumers to remain vigilant while purchasing gold jewellery and to verify the HUID through the BIS CARE App. Any information regarding sale of unhallmarked jewellery, incomplete or suspected misuse of BIS Hallmark may be reported through the BIS CARE App, by e-mail at [email protected] / [email protected] , or to the Bureau of Indian Standards, Jammu & Kashmir Branch Office, Bari Brahmana, Jammu. The identity of the informant is kept confidential. |
