Major Upgrade in BIS Gold Hallmarking System: New HUID Verification Process Strengthens Transparency and Consumer Trust

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced a significant upgrade to India's Gold Hallmarking System by enhancing the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) process. The new digital verification mechanism is designed to strengthen traceability, improve transparency, and reduce the possibility of fake hallmarking or duplicate HUIDs.

After a successful pilot implementation covering more than 17 lakh gold jewellery articles, the upgraded system has now been implemented across India through the Manak Online Portal. This initiative marks another important step towards making India's hallmarking ecosystem more secure, reliable, and consumer-friendly.

Whether you are a jeweller, manufacturer, hallmarking centre, retailer, or consumer, understanding these changes is essential to ensure compliance and confidence in gold purchases.

Introduction to BIS Gold Hallmarking

Gold jewellery represents both emotional and financial value. To protect consumers from counterfeit or substandard jewellery, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduced mandatory hallmarking for specified gold jewellery and artefacts. Every hallmarked jewellery article carries a Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) that allows consumers to verify its authenticity through the BIS Care App. To further improve the integrity of the hallmarking ecosystem, BIS has now introduced a major technological upgrade in the HUID hallmarking process.

What is HUID in Gold Hallmarking?

The Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) is a unique alphanumeric code assigned to every hallmarked gold jewellery article.

Each HUID is linked with -

• Jewellery article details
• Purity (22K, 18K, 14K, etc.)
• BIS-recognised Assaying & Hallmarking Centre
• Jeweller information
• Hallmarking records maintained by BIS

Consumers can enter the HUID in the BIS Care App to verify whether the jewellery has been genuinely hallmarked.

Why BIS Upgraded the Hallmarking System

As India's gold market continues to grow, maintaining the authenticity of hallmarked jewellery has become increasingly important.

The upgraded system aims to -

• Improve traceability of hallmarked jewellery
• Strengthen digital verification
• Reduce the risk of duplicate HUID generation
• Discourage fake hallmarking practices
• Increase transparency throughout the hallmarking process
• Enhance consumer confidence while purchasing gold jewellery

Following the successful pilot involving over 17 lakh jewellery articles, BIS has expanded the system nationwide through the Manak Online Portal.

Major Features of the New BIS Gold Hallmarking System

The upgraded system introduces several important digital enhancements.

Mandatory Jewellery Photo Capture: Every jewellery article submitted for hallmarking must now be photographed during the hallmarking process.

The image includes -

• Complete jewellery article
• Clearly visible HUID engraving
• Digital record stored within the BIS system

This creates a permanent visual record linked to the respective HUID.

Automatic Weight Recording: Instead of relying only on manual entries, the upgraded system automatically captures the weight of the jewellery article during hallmarking.

Automatic weight capture helps improve record accuracy and minimizes the possibility of discrepancies.

Digital HUID Mapping: Each HUID is digitally linked with -

• Jewellery photograph
• Weight information
• Hallmarking details
• Hallmarking centre records

This creates stronger traceability throughout the product lifecycle.

Nationwide Implementation: After successful pilot testing, the upgraded system is now operational across India via the Manak Online Portal, ensuring a standardized hallmarking process nationwide.

Photo-Based Jewellery Verification: A Major Step Towards Transparency

One of the most significant improvements in the upgraded BIS Gold Hallmarking System is the introduction of mandatory photo verification for every jewellery article submitted for hallmarking.

During the hallmarking process, the Assaying & Hallmarking Centre captures a clear photograph of the jewellery article. The image must prominently display the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) engraved on the product wherever applicable. This photograph becomes a permanent digital record linked to the corresponding HUID in the BIS system.

By creating a visual identity for every hallmarked jewellery article, BIS has strengthened the traceability of the hallmarking process. If any discrepancies arise in the future, the digital photograph can assist in verifying whether the jewellery article matches the original hallmarking record.

This enhancement also discourages the misuse of HUID numbers and strengthens the authenticity of hallmarked jewellery in the Indian market.

Automatic Weight Capture for Improved Accuracy

Another important enhancement introduced by BIS is the automatic capture of jewellery weight during the hallmarking process.

Previously, weight recording relied more heavily on manual inputs. With the upgraded system, the weight is automatically recorded and digitally linked with the respective HUID.

The benefits of this feature include -

• Improved accuracy in hallmarking records
• Reduced possibility of manual entry errors
• Better consistency across hallmarking centres
• Enhanced digital documentation
• Stronger verification and audit trails

The combination of jewellery photographs, HUID details, and weight records creates a much more reliable and transparent hallmarking ecosystem.

Nationwide Integration Through the Manak Online Portal

Following the successful pilot implementation on more than 17 lakh gold jewellery articles, BIS has now integrated the upgraded hallmarking process into the Manak Online Portal across India. The Manak Online Portal serves as the digital backbone for various BIS certification and hallmarking services. By incorporating the new HUID verification features into this platform, BIS has standardized the hallmarking process nationwide.

This ensures that recognised Assaying & Hallmarking Centres across the country follow a uniform digital procedure for recording and maintaining hallmarking data. The nationwide rollout also supports faster verification, improved record management, and greater transparency in the hallmarking ecosystem.

Easy Consumer Verification Through the BIS Care App

The upgraded hallmarking system further strengthens the usefulness of the BIS Care App, allowing consumers to verify the authenticity of hallmarked gold jewellery quickly and conveniently.

Before purchasing gold jewellery, consumers can enter the HUID number available on the jewellery article into the BIS Care App to access hallmark-related information.

The app enables users to verify details such as -

• HUID number
• Purity of the jewellery
• Hallmarking status
• BIS-recognised Assaying & Hallmarking Centre
• Other available hallmarking information linked with the HUID

This simple verification process empowers consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and promotes greater confidence in the Indian gold jewellery market.

Benefits of the Upgraded Hallmarking System for Consumers

The enhanced HUID verification system offers several advantages for gold buyers.

• Improved Trust: Consumers can purchase hallmarked jewellery with greater confidence knowing that each HUID is digitally recorded and traceable.
• Better Transparency: Digital records improve the transparency of the hallmarking process and make verification easier.
• Easier Authenticity Verification: The BIS Care App enables instant verification of hallmarked jewellery before or after purchase.
• Reduced Risk of Fraud: The upgraded digital process helps reduce the possibility of duplicate HUIDs or fake hallmarking practices.
• Greater Consumer Protection: The new system reinforces BIS's objective of protecting consumers by ensuring that hallmarked jewellery is supported by stronger digital records.

Benefits for Jewellers and Assaying & Hallmarking Centres

The upgraded HUID system also benefits jewellers, manufacturers, retailers, and BIS-recognised Assaying & Hallmarking Centres.

Key advantages include:

• Standardized digital hallmarking process
• Improved documentation and traceability
• Enhanced customer confidence
• Better regulatory compliance
• Reduced risk of record mismatches
• Stronger credibility in the marketplace

By following the upgraded BIS procedures, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to transparency and quality assurance.

Impact on BIS Hallmarking Compliance

The latest enhancement reflects BIS's ongoing efforts to modernize India's hallmarking infrastructure through technology-driven compliance.

Jewellers and hallmarking centres should ensure that -

• The updated hallmarking procedures are followed.
• Required photographs are captured during hallmarking.
• Jewellery weight is accurately recorded through the upgraded system.
• Hallmarking data is properly maintained through the Manak Online Portal.
• Consumers are encouraged to verify jewellery using the BIS Care App.

Adopting these practices helps businesses align with the latest BIS hallmarking requirements while enhancing customer trust.

How EVTL India Can Help

Navigating BIS regulations and hallmarking requirements can be challenging without proper guidance. EVTL India provides professional consultancy services to help jewellery businesses understand and comply with the latest BIS regulations.

Our services include -

• BIS Hallmark Registration Consultancy
• BIS Compliance Guidance
• Documentation Support
• Regulatory Advisory
• BIS Application Assistance
• Ongoing Compliance Support

Whether you are a jeweller, manufacturer, retailer, or jewellery business planning to comply with BIS hallmarking requirements, our experts provide end-to-end assistance throughout the compliance process.

Conclusion

The upgraded BIS Gold Hallmarking HUID System marks a significant advancement in India's hallmarking ecosystem. By introducing mandatory jewellery photographs, automatic weight recording, and enhanced digital traceability through the Manak Online Portal, BIS has taken an important step toward strengthening transparency and consumer confidence.

For consumers, the new system offers greater assurance when purchasing hallmarked gold jewellery. For jewellers and hallmarking centres, it promotes standardized processes, improved documentation, and stronger compliance with BIS requirements.

As the hallmarking ecosystem continues to evolve, businesses should stay updated with the latest BIS developments to ensure smooth compliance and maintain customer trust.

If you require professional assistance with BIS Hallmark Registration, BIS Compliance, or other BIS certification services, our experts are here to help. EVTL India Pvt. Ltd.

Contact EVTL India 📞 +91 95605 35898 📧 [email protected] 🌐 www.evtlindia.com