BIS declines plea on mandatory hallmarks for silver articles

Plea has been declined as the hallmarking scheme for silver is voluntary

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has declined to proceed with mandatory hallmarking of silver artifacts made of alloys with lower than specified purity.

Responding to a request from the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (Ibja), the BIS in a letter dated March 23 said, “a BIS is operating a hallmarking scheme for silver jewellers/artifacts as per Indian standard, which is currently voluntary. The request of Ibja to regulate silver (including silver bar, furniture, idols, jewellery and coins) of only specified purity to be allowed to be sold in the market and with test reports from hallmarking centres cannot be