Govt may decide on mandatory gold hallmarking in 3 mnths

Hallmarking will guarantee the purity or fineness of the precious metal. Currently, the BIS hallmarking scheme for gold jewellery is voluntary in nature.

"We have asked our agency, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), to look into the option of mandatory hallmarking of gold," Food and Consumer Affairs Minister K V Thomas said on the sidelines of an event here.

At present, about 77 items, including cement, mineral water and milk products, are certified through mandatory hallmarking under the BIS Act for conformity with expected quality levels.

A senior BIS official said that early passage of the BIS (Amendment) Bill, 2011, in Parliament will pave the way for introduction of compulsory hallmarking of more products, including gold.

The Bill has been hanging fire due to inter-ministerial differences on the issue of outsourcing the BIS's licencing job to private players. Recently, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MoCA) sorted out the differences and sent the Bill for Cabinet approval, the official said.

The Bill seeks to empower the government to make hallmarking -- certification of a product or process -- mandatory on the grounds of public interest, he said.