Business
Silver Hallmarking Framework Under Review by Standards Body
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is assessing the regulatory requirements and infrastructure preparedness needed to make hallmarking of silver jewellery and artefacts mandatory across India. The move aims to enhance consumer confidence and transparency in the silver market.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is examining the regulatory framework and infrastructure readiness required for introducing mandatory hallmarking of silver jewellery and artefacts, Director General Sanjay Garg said on Thursday.
Speaking on the sidelines of a FICCI event, Garg noted that while silver hallmarking has been available on a voluntary basis since 2005, making it mandatory involves unique challenges due to the nature and diversity of the silver market.
He explained that the complexity lies not in the hallmarking process itself but in the vast range of products, market segments, and stakeholders involved in the silver trade. Silver is used extensively not only in jewellery but also in artefacts, utensils, decorative items, and industrial applications, making standardization more challenging than in the gold sector.
India has already taken steps to strengthen transparency in silver certification. Since September 2025, hallmarked silver articles have been required to carry a Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number. This allows consumers to verify the purity and authenticity of silver products, similar to the system already in place for gold jewellery.
The proposed move toward mandatory hallmarking is expected to provide greater consumer protection by ensuring purity standards and reducing the risk of adulteration or misrepresentation. It could also help improve traceability and strengthen trust in the precious metals market.
Before implementing such a requirement, BIS is assessing whether adequate hallmarking centres, testing infrastructure, and compliance mechanisms are available nationwide to support the large and diverse silver industry.
The development comes as India continues to expand quality assurance measures across sectors through standardized certification systems. Mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery has already become an important consumer protection tool, and a similar framework for silver could significantly enhance transparency in the market.
Industry stakeholders are expected to be consulted as BIS evaluates the feasibility, costs, and implementation roadmap for a nationwide mandatory silver hallmarking regime.
