Mandatory hallmarking for silver eyed

After making gold hallmarking mandatory, the government is now preparing to extend it to silver, beginning with a pilot project in select districts, a senior government official said on Tuesday.

- Dhirendra Kumar

The move aims to help consumers verify purity and authenticity, and curb counterfeit silver jewellery in the market.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is planning to roll out the pilot with large jewellery makers, while simultaneously strengthening testing and certification infrastructure in the identified districts, its director general Sanjay Garg said.

Silver hallmarking has been voluntary since September. However, from September 2025, any silver article that is hallmarked must carry a hallmark unique identification (HUID), a six-digit alphanumeric code that’s issued by the BIS. The pilot will help assess readiness ahead of a wider roll out.