Hallmarking is essential for verifying the purity and authenticity of precious metal jewellery. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has established comprehensive regulations to ensure the integrity of the hallmarking process. However, unfair practices can undermine these standards, leading to severe consequences for jewellers. This article examines the unfair practices defined by the BIS Hallmarking Regulations 2018 and their potential impact.
Unfair practices in hallmarking refer to actions that violate the integrity and trust of the hallmarking process. The BIS Hallmarking Regulations 2018 outline specific practices considered as misuse of hallmarking, which can result in the cancellation of a jeweller's certificate of registration. These practices not only compromise the quality of jewellery but also deceive consumers.
Hallmarking from Non-Recognized A&H Centres Hallmarking must be conducted at BIS-recognized Assaying & Hallmarking (A&H) centres. Using non-recognized centres undermines the credibility of the hallmark and can lead to cancellation of the registration.
Counterfeiting of Hallmark on Articles Counterfeiting involves creating fake hallmarks on jewellery articles, misleading consumers about the purity and authenticity of the jewellery. This practice is strictly prohibited and punishable under the regulations.
Sale of Articles with Incomplete Hallmark Articles must bear a complete hallmark, including all necessary components that certify the jewellery's authenticity. Selling items with incomplete hallmarks is considered an unfair practice.
Tampering with Sealed Counter Samples Tampering with sealed counter samples compromises the integrity of the testing process. Any such actions are regarded as serious violations, leading to potential cancellation of the registration.
To avoid engaging in unfair practices, jewellers should:
What are the penalties for hallmarking from a non-recognized centre? Hallmarking from non-recognized centres can lead to the cancellation of the jeweller's certificate of registration and legal penalties.
How can jewellers ensure their hallmarks are not counterfeit? Jewellers should source hallmarking services only from BIS-recognized A&H centres and regularly verify the authenticity of their hallmarks.
What constitutes an incomplete hallmark? An incomplete hallmark lacks one or more necessary components, such as the BIS logo, purity mark, or jeweller's identification mark.
How to handle sealed counter samples to avoid tampering allegations? Sealed counter samples should be stored securely and handled only by authorized personnel to prevent any tampering.
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