Page 29 - Bullion World Volume 4 Issue 7 January 2024

Bullion World | Volume 4 | Issue 7 | July 2024

good delivery bars, though it is not yet enforced or
Questions and Answers
certified. The proposed mandatory hallmarking will focus
on two aspects: having a BIS License and obtaining a Q: Why is 995 purity allowed for bullion when
24 Karat is the standard? A: The 995 purity
good delivery license from BIS for interested refineries.
standard has historical significance in India, dating
back to the Gold Control Act and practices at
Types of Bullion and Hallmarking
The proposal suggests mandatory hallmarking for bars government mints. It is widely accepted in the
market and used by many small-scale refineries.
weighing 100 grams and above, exempting smaller
bars below 100 grams in the first phase. However, the
Q: Is there any exemption for jewellers with
government is keen on eventually covering all bullion.
The jewellery hallmarking scheme exempts articles in-house refining capacities? A: The advisory
committee is still finalizing the rules. However,
below 2 grams, and similar exemptions for smaller bullion
bars might be requested. pollution control norms require red category consent
for refineries, ensuring they meet environmental
standards.
Currently, three types of bullion are available: 995 bullion
artefacts, 999 bullion bars from BIS licensed refineries,
and imported good delivery bars. Jewellery hallmarking Q: Can smaller refineries in tier-two and tier-
three cities obtain a BIS license? A: Yes, the
is done by third-party agencies, while bullion hallmarking
is a product certification scheme by BIS licensed BIS licensing scheme does not impose financial
or production capacity restrictions, allowing small
refineries. These refineries must have a world-class
laboratory and meet various technical and environmental refineries to operate under the license.
standards.
Q: What about the trace elements in bullion
bars? A: Currently, BIS certified bullion bars
Technical Aspects of Hallmarking
The hallmarking process involves several parameters: focus on gold content, but future standards may
include specifications for trace elements and other
the BIS logo, weight, purity, refinery's logo or name,
and a unique traceability number. Unlike jewellery environmental and sourcing criteria.
hallmarking, bullion hallmarking does not permit any
negative tolerance in weight or purity. To ensure Q: How will the hallmarking process affect
the availability of bullion in rural areas? A:
accuracy, refineries often add a small extra amount of
gold to the bars. The proposal aims to ensure that hallmarking is
accessible across the country, though there may
be challenges in rural areas initially. Exemptions for
For jewellery hallmarking, the permitted tolerance in
smaller bars may help mitigate this issue.
repeat testing is 0.05, while for bullion bars, it is 0.02.
This ensures that a bar stamped at 999 retains its
Q: What steps are being taken to phase out 995
minimum purity even after multiple tests.
purity bullion? A: While 995 purity is still in use, the
government may introduce measures to phase it out
The BIS license for refineries is valid for one year and
requires annual renewal with production details and over time, aligning with international standards and
improving overall quality.
royalty payments. BIS may also conduct random market
sampling to monitor quality.
Conclusion
The mandatory hallmarking of bullion is a significant
Future Considerations
step towards ensuring standardized quality and
The India Good Delivery Standard aims to cover not only
technical parameters but also aspects like responsible certified products in the Indian bullion market.
The BIS licensing scheme and the India Good
sourcing, environmental norms, and trace elements.
Currently, the standard focuses on purity and weight, Delivery Standard provide a robust framework for
assessing and verifying the quality of gold refineries.
but future iterations may include broader criteria similar
to those of the LBMA, ensuring comprehensive quality As the guidelines are finalized and implemented,
the hallmarking process will enhance trust and
control.
transparency in the industry, benefiting consumers
and manufacturers alike.

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