PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Dehradun branch office, conducted an enforcement search and seizure operation against two retail jewellery sellers in the city. Officials informed that the action was taken in response to serious cases of misuse of BIS Hallmark and Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) numbers.
The raids were carried out at Pappu Jewellers in Araghar and Shri Balaji Jewellers in Balawala. During the operation, more than 70 items of gold jewellery were seized for bearing fake or unauthorised BIS Hallmarks and HUID numbers. BIS officials said that this action was conducted under the provisions of the BIS Act, 2016, which prohibits the misuse of BIS certification marks and mandates strict adherence to hallmarking standards. According to section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016, individuals found guilty of misusing BIS marks can face up to one year imprisonment or fine starting at Rs 1,00,000, which may extend to five times the value of the goods involved.
Officials further stated that, as per current regulations, BIS hallmarking is mandatory in the Dehradun district. Jewellery sellers with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 40 lakh are required to register with BIS and can only sell hallmarked gold jewellery that bears the six-digit alphanumeric HUID number issued by BIS.
The BIS has asked all jewellery sellers to comply with hallmarking standards to maintain consumer confidence. Consumers are also encouraged to check the BIS Hallmark and HUID number when purchasing gold jewellery and verify it through the BIS Care App or the BIS website.
