In exercise of the powers conferred by section 39 read with sections 13 and 14 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act

## Report on the Bureau of Indian Standards Hallmarking Amendment Regulations, 2022 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Hallmarking Amendment Regulations, 2022, as published in the Gazette of India on March 4, 2022. This amendment focuses on revising the hallmarking fees for gold and silver articles, as detailed in Schedule IV of the Bureau of Indian Standards Hallmarking Regulations, 2018. The key change involves adjustments to the fee structure, impacting both jewellers and Assaying and Hallmarking Centres. This report provides an overview of the changes, their potential impact, and relevant implementation aspects as inferred from the provided text. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide a concise and informative analysis of the Bureau of Indian Standards Hallmarking Amendment Regulations, 2022, based solely on the provided government policy text. This analysis will focus on understanding the changes introduced by the amendment and their potential implications for affected stakeholders. **3. Policy Overview:** This document amends the Bureau of Indian Standards Hallmarking Regulations, 2018. The core objective of the amendment, inferred from the text, is to revise the hallmarking fee structure for gold and silver articles. **4. Background and Rationale:** This amendment addresses the need to adjust the hallmarking fee structure. The specific reasons for the fee adjustments are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, it can be inferred that the changes aim to recalibrate the cost associated with hallmarking, potentially in response to changes in market conditions, operational costs for Assaying and Hallmarking Centres, or broader policy objectives related to promoting hallmarking. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This amendment focuses on modifying *Schedule IV* of the Bureau of Indian Standards Hallmarking Regulations, 2018, which details the Hallmarking Fees. The following changes are introduced: * **Gold Articles:** * The hallmarking fee payable *by jewellers* to recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres is revised to: * Rs. 45 per article (previously unspecified – now clarified). * Minimum fee for a consignment is Rs. 200 (previously unspecified – now clarified). * The hallmarking fee levied *by the Bureau* from Assaying and Hallmarking Centres is revised to: * Rs. 4.50 per article (previously unspecified – now clarified). * Minimum fee for a consignment is Rs. 20 (previously unspecified – now clarified). * **Silver Articles:** * The hallmarking fee payable *by jewellers* to recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres is revised to: * Rs. 35 per article (previously unspecified – now clarified). * Minimum fee for a consignment is Rs. 150 (previously unspecified – now clarified). * The hallmarking fee levied *by the Bureau* from Assaying and Hallmarking Centres is revised to: * Rs. 3.50 per article (previously unspecified – now clarified). * Minimum fee for a consignment is Rs. 15 (previously unspecified – now clarified). * **General Note:** A note is added stating that applicable taxes as per prevalent rates shall be levied in addition to the above fees. The main effect of these changes is to provide a revised and specific fee structure for hallmarking gold and silver articles, outlining the per-article costs and minimum consignment fees for both jewellers and Assaying and Hallmarking Centres. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the provided text, the primary stakeholders directly affected by these changes are: * **Jewellers:** As they are responsible for paying hallmarking fees to Assaying and Hallmarking Centres. * **Assaying and Hallmarking Centres:** As they collect fees from jewellers and pay fees to the Bureau of Indian Standards. * **Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):** As the regulating body and recipient of hallmarking fees from Assaying and Hallmarking Centres. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the responsible agency for implementing and enforcing these regulations. * **Timelines and Procedures:** The regulations came into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, which was March 4, 2022. The procedures for fee collection and payment are likely outlined in the broader Bureau of Indian Standards Hallmarking Regulations, 2018, although not detailed in this specific amendment. * The implementation of the fee changes requires Assaying and Hallmarking centres to update their billing systems and jewellers to adjust their cost calculations accordingly. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of these specific changes is to provide a clear and updated fee structure for hallmarking gold and silver articles. The potential impacts of the amendment include: * **Increased Clarity:** The revised fee structure offers greater clarity and predictability for both jewellers and Assaying and Hallmarking Centres regarding hallmarking costs. * **Cost Adjustments for Jewellers:** Jewellers will need to adjust their pricing strategies to account for the revised hallmarking fees. The impact will vary depending on the volume and type of articles hallmarked. * **Revenue Implications for Assaying and Hallmarking Centres and BIS:** Changes will directly affect the revenue streams of both the hallmarking centers and the BIS. * **Potential impact on hallmarking adoption:** If the fees are deemed too high it may dissuade some adoption of hallmarking. **9. Conclusion:** The Bureau of Indian Standards Hallmarking Amendment Regulations, 2022, represent a focused revision of the hallmarking fee structure for gold and silver articles. By providing clarity and updating the costs associated with hallmarking, this amendment aims to ensure the continued efficiency and effectiveness of the hallmarking system. Jewellers and Assaying and Hallmarking Centres need to understand and adapt to these changes to ensure compliance and maintain smooth operations. This amendment is significant because it directly impacts the cost of hallmarking, a critical aspect of ensuring the quality and authenticity of gold and silver products in the Indian market.

Key Entities Referenced