From receiving damaged gold items to delay in getting hallmarked jewellery from the assaying centres and imposition of an ID system on goods, jewellers are facing many challenges after mandatory gold hallmarking came into force from June 16 in a phased manner, jewellers’ body GJC said on Wednesday.
The Government has identified 256 districts from 28 states and union territories for phase-1 implementation of gold hallmarking.
Gold hallmarking, a purity certification of the precious metal, was voluntary in nature so far.
“We are ready for mandatory gold hallmarking but there are certain problems which small jewellers are facing. If these are not addressed, then the industry will be on the verge of complete collapse,” All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) Director Dinesh Jain told reporters.
A major problem being faced by jewellers is that they now have to upload on a BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) portal a six-digit HUID (hallmark unique identification number) that is affixed with each hallmarked gold article, he said.
“This HUID system is extremely time consuming due to which Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) are not able to hallmark more than 150 to 20 pieces per day,” Jain said. Both AHCs and the jewellers have to upload the HUID.