Hallmark
Also called: Hallmarking, BIS hallmark · Topic: Consumer Rights and Consumer Protection · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 5 "Consumer Rights"
Meaning
A hallmark is a certification mark of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It certifies the purity, or fineness, of gold and silver articles. Buyers cannot judge purity by looking at jewellery, so the hallmark protects them from being cheated. Gold hallmarking has been mandatory in notified districts since June 2021. Since 1 April 2023, each piece must also carry a 6-digit HUID (Hallmark Unique ID), so it can be traced.
Example
A buyer purchasing a gold chain in a notified district checks for the BIS hallmark and its HUID code. This confirms that the gold's purity matches what the jeweller claims.
Don't confuse with
- ISI mark: the ISI mark is also given by BIS, but it covers industrial and electrical goods such as cement and appliances. The hallmark covers only the purity of gold and silver.
Related concepts
- Certification mark
- Mandatory certification
- ISI mark
- Agmark
- Food fortification
- Energy efficiency star rating