Assaying And Hallmarking Centre

When purchasing gold or silver, ensuring purity is often the top concern. A hallmark certifies the actual gold or silver content in a precious item, guaranteeing authenticity and quality. This is where Assaying and Hallmarking Centres come in, playing a crucial role in testing and certifying metals to meet quality standards.

The Government of India, through the BIS Hallmark process, has been working to mandate the hallmarking of jewellery, ensuring transparency and trust. These centres, approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), follow strict guidelines for testing, licensing, and certification. Whether you’re a jeweller, trader, or consumer, understanding their importance can protect your investments and ensure value for your money.

An Overview Of Assaying And Hallmarking Centre

Assaying and Hallmarking Centres test and certify the purity of gold and silver to ensure you get what you pay for. These centres use advanced methods like fire assay and XRF to check the metal’s composition. Once verified, a hallmark is added as proof of quality and authenticity.

In India, they operate under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) which ensures that jewellery meets government regulations. These centres not only protect consumers from fraud but also build trust in the market by guaranteeing the quality of precious metals. Whether you’re a buyer or a jeweller, these services add transparency and confidence to every transaction.

What Is Assaying And Hallmarking Centres?

Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) are facilities that test jewellery to ensure it meets proper purity standards. They certify the purity of gold (14K, 18K, 22K) and silver jewellery, along with gold coins and medallions (24K). Only after these centres assign a hallmark can an article be certified as pure.

Why Assaying And Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) Are Important?

AHCs ensure that gold and silver articles sold by jewellers are of the claimed purity. Jewellers register and submit articles for testing, and the process is tracked from receipt to dispatch. This builds trust and transparency while protecting buyers from fraud.

Which Jewellery Exempts From Testing At Assaying And Hallmarking Centres?

Assaying and Hallmarking Centres are exempt from hallmarking certain precious articles in specific cases:

• Articles weighing less than 2g.
• Items for export meeting foreign standards.
• Jewellery made by Polki, Jadaau, and Kundan techniques.
• Jewellers with an annual turnover below ₹40 lakhs.

Documents Required For Recognizing Assaying And Hallmarking Centres (AHCs)

Below is the list of essential documents needed for the recognition of AHCs:

• Proof of Establishment of the Firm or Company
  (Submit any one of the following):
  1. Certificate of Registration (CoR) issued by the Registrar of Companies, along with the Memorandum of Association (MoA).
  2. Registered Partnership Deed (for Partnership Firms).
  3. Original certificate from a Chartered Accountant (CA) (for Proprietorship Firms).
• Address Proof of the Firm
  (Submit any one of the following):
  1. Income Tax Assessment Order
  2. GST Registration Certificate
  3. Sale or Lease Deed Agreement
  4. Registration with State Government Authority or Trade License
  5. Property Tax Receipt
  6. Rent Agreement
• Identity Proof of the Applicant
  (Submit any one of the following):
  1. Aadhar-based verification or e-signature
  2. Self-certified copy of Aadhar Card, Driving License, Voter ID, Passport, PAN Card, or ID Certificate (with photo) issued by a Gazetted Officer
• Map Location
  1. A map showing the premises’ location concerning the nearest landmark.
• Affidavit-cum-Undertaking
  1. An affidavit and undertaking as per the required format.
• Quality Manual
  1. The Quality Manual for the Assaying and Hallmarking Centre, prepared in alignment with the Generic Quality Manual provided by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Procedure For Obtaining Recognition For Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHC)

Here’s how to navigate the step-by-step process to secure recognition for Assaying & Hallmarking Centres (AHCs):

• Online Application Submission: Begin by filing and submitting the application form online. Attach all the required documents as specified earlier.
• Document Review and Inspection: Once the application and documents are submitted, they will be reviewed by the Bureau of Indian Standards. BIS officials will inspect to verify the submitted details.
• Examination by BIS Officials: The application and documents will be thoroughly examined by BIS officials to ensure compliance with the prescribed format and requirements.
• Grant of AHC Recognition: If the officials are satisfied with the application and supporting documents, they will approve and grant recognition to the Assaying and Hallmarking Centre.

Conditions For Rejection Of AHC Recognition Application

An application for recognition of an Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC) may be rejected under the following circumstances:

• Misuse of Hallmark or Violation of BIS Act: If the applicant has applied immediately after a case of misuse of the Hallmark or any violation under Section 14 or Section 15 of the BIS Act, 2016, is detected against them.
• Pending Prosecution: If a prosecution case is pending or in the process of being initiated against the applicant in the trial court under Section 29 of the BIS Act.

Note:
Applicants or firms falling under any of the above conditions are ineligible to apply for the Recognition Certificate until they are cleared of charges. Additionally, in cases of conviction under Section 29 of the BIS Act, the applicant or firm is barred from applying for recognition for one year from the date of conviction.

Guidelines For Setting Up On-Site Centres (OSC) by BIS-Recognized AHCs

Here are the key guidelines for establishing On-Site Centres (OSC) by BIS-recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs):

• Limitations on Number and Distance
  • An AHC can set up a maximum of five OSCs.
  • The distance of an OSC from its parent AHC must not exceed 100 km.
  • An AHC processing at least 500 articles daily (on average) must establish an OSC or AHC in an uncovered district.
• Facilities and Functions
  • OSCs must have all facilities provided in an AHC, except those required for fire assay.
  • OSCs are responsible for hallmarking gold jewellery but must send items to the parent AHC for fire assay.
• Liability of the Parent AHC
  • The parent AHC is responsible for conducting fire assays for jewellery received at OSCs.
• Application Process
  • AHCs must apply to the BIS Regional Office for permission to establish OSCs.
  • Applications should include complete information, such as sample dispatch methods and receipt of assay test reports and remnants.
• Personnel Requirements
  • OSCs must have testing personnel, including a Quality Manager, as required for AHCs, except for fire assay staff.
  • The parent AHC’s Manager will oversee the quality of both the parent AHC and OSCs.
• Jurisdiction for Applications
  • Applications for OSCs in a different region from the parent AHC must be submitted to the BIS Regional Office with jurisdiction over the OSC location.
• Equipment Requirements
  • OSCs must have all testing equipment required for AHCs, except those needed for fire assays.
• Evaluation by BIS Regional Office:
  • Verify the parent AHC’s past performance and readiness in terms of infrastructure and manpower.
  • Conduct audits at both the parent AHC and the proposed OSC location.
  • Process the application within three days after receiving the audit report, provided all required actions are completed.
• Suspension and Termination
  • BIS can suspend or terminate OSC operations if non-compliance is detected.
  • The parent AHC will be allowed to explain before termination of OSC recognition.
  • If the parent AHC is de-recognized or suspended, permissions for all OSC operations will be withdrawn automatically.
• Reporting and Recognition Renewal
  • AHCs must include OSC-specific details in reports or returns submitted to BIS.
  • OSC recognition is automatically renewed upon the renewal of the parent AHC’s recognition.
• Fees and Responsibilities
  • No application or recognition fees are required for OSCs.
  • The parent AHC is accountable for any violations at an OSC as if they occurred at the parent AHC.

These guidelines ensure that OSCs operate effectively and maintain compliance with BIS standards for hallmarking.

Contact ELTCorporate To Obtaining Recognition For AHC

Obtaining recognition for an Assaying and Hallmarking Centre involves extensive paperwork and a thorough understanding of field-specific requirements.

By choosing ELT Corporate through bisregistrationcertificate.com, you gain access to comprehensive support, including:

• Complete Documentation Assistance
• Expert guidance and filing of the application with precision
• Consistent follow-up with BIS to ensure timely progress.
• End-to-End Support

Partner with ELT Corporate and streamline your journey to obtaining AHC recognition with confidence and efficiency.