Non‑Hallmark Gold Jewellery Breaks BIS Rules, 175 Mangalsutras Among Items Seized

A surprise inspection by the Bureau of Indian Standards in Chennai uncovered a large stock of gold jewellery lacking the legally required hallmark. The raid, conducted on September 1, resulted in the seizure of 803.99 g of unmarked gold pieces, including a significant number of mangalsutras—175 in total, accounting for 671.50 g of the haul.

Alongside the mangalsutras, the seizure list featured 12 children’s bangles (25.02 g), 40 earrings (86.14 g) and 10 pendants (21.33 g). The items were displayed for commercial sale without the BIS logo, purity indication, or the six‑digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number mandated by the BIS Act, 2016.

The BIS enforcement team, working with Chennai police, confiscated the items under Section 28 of the act and will now forward them for laboratory testing and possible court action. The bureau’s chief reiterated that strict adherence to hallmarking rules is vital for protecting consumer interests and preserving the reputation of Indian gold jewellery.

Buyers are advised to confirm that every gold article bears the hallmark and to use the BIS Care app to verify the HUID before making a purchase.