FAQ on applicability of 6 digits HUID on gold Jewellery from 1st April 2023

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  1. Is it applicable only on gold Jewellery or all precious metal Jewellery?

Ans: At present, only the Jewellery consisting of Gold shall be subject to this requirement.

  1. What is HUID?

Ans: HUID stands for ‘Hallmark Unique Identification Number’, which is to be affixed on the gold jewellery.

  1. What is the purpose of introduction of mandatory HUID?

Ans: HUID enhances the confidence and trust of consumers in the authenticity of jewellery they purchase.

  1. What is the present system of Hallmarking?

Ans: Before implementation of 6 digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number, hallmarking of Gold jewellery was consisted of 4 logos viz,

  • BIS logo,
  • purity of the article,
  • logo of jeweller and
  • Logo of Assaying and Hallmarking Centre
  1. Whether this provision will be applicable directly from 1st April 2023 or any transitional arrangement has been provided?

Ans: 6 digit HUID was introduced from 01st July 2021 and all articles hallmarked post 01st July 2021 have to be hallmarked with HUID only. However, old jewellery [whether lying in the stock of jeweller or purchased from customers] with four marks [as discussed above], without HUID was also permitted to be sold by the jewellers. Therefore, almost 21 months have been given to jewellers to clear old inventory.

  1. Which details the Jewellery will consist after implementation of this provision?

Ans: After introduction of HUID, the Jewellery will consist of 3 marks viz, 

  • BIS logo,
  • purity of the article and
  • six-digit alphanumeric HUID
  1. What will happen to the old jewellery lying with customers, which is not compliant with this new requirement?

Ans: Hallmarked jewellery lying with consumers as per old schemes shall remain valid.

  1. How to generate unique HUID?

Ans: The jewellers will have to submit the jewellery to the dedicated Assaying & Hallmarking centre [AHC], which will stamp unique 6 digit alphanumerical code on the jewellery.

  1. How to verify the authenticity of HUID?

Ans: A consumer can check and authenticate hallmarked gold jewellery items with HUID number using ‘verify HUID’ in BIS CARE app which is available in both android as well as iOS.

  1. What is the remedy available to customers if the jewellery is found to be of lesser purity?

Ans: the buyer/customer shall be entitled for compensation which shall be 2 times the amount of difference calculated on the basis of shortage of purity for the weight of such article sold and the testing charges

Note: These FAQs are based on the information available on the press release issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution dated 4th March 2023 and other relevant information available on the official website https://doca.gov.in   

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