BIS makes HUID mandatory

• Bureau of India Standards (BIS) has prohibited the sale of hallmarked gold jewelry or gold artefacts without 6-digit alphanumeric Hallmark Unique Identification Number (HUID) after 31st March 2023.
• However, Hallmarked jewellery lying with consumers as per old schemes shall remain valid.
• Earlier, the old hallmarked jewelry with 4 marks without HUID was also permitted to be sold by the jewelers along with the 6-digit HUID mark.

Hallmarking

• Hallmarking is the accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in precious metal articles.
• Hallmarking scheme for Jewellery was started by BIS in the year 2000.
• In India, at present two precious metals namely gold and silver have been brought under the purview of Hallmarking.
• However, Mandatory Hallmarking has been successfully implemented in 288 districts of the country with effect from 23 June 2021 by Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts Order, 2022.

About HUID

• HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification.
• It is a 6-digit alphanumeric code consisting of alphabets and numbers.
• HUID is stamped at the BIS-certified Assaying and Hallmarking Centre.
• For every piece of gold jewellery which is hallmarked by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), a unique HUID code is given to it.
• After introduction of 6-digit HUID in 2021, hallmark consisted of 3 marks viz, BIS logo, purity of the article and six-digit alphanumeric HUID. Each hallmarked article has unique HUID number which is traceable.