The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) reported a good year for its hallmarking programs, with more registrations and a broader reach for customers.
In its 2024 year-end evaluation, the DCA noted substantial progress in assuring the purity and quality of gold jewellery and antiquities. Between April 1st and November 25th, 2024, hallmarking registrations increased 4%, from 1,87,936 to 1,95,155.
Concurrently, the number of Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) accredited by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) increased by 4%, from 1,540 to 1,604. A significant development was the revision to the Quality Control Order on November 5, 2024. This amendment enlarged the scope of statutory hallmarking from 343 to 361 districts, ensuring better consumer protection across a larger geographical area.