BIS to Expand Silver Hallmarking and Testing Facilities Nationwide

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is set to significantly augment its testing capabilities for silver jewellery as consumer interest in silver rises due to escalating gold prices. This development aims to support the increasing demand for certified silver products and ensure quality across various sectors.

In response to changing market dynamics, BIS plans to expand its national laboratory network dedicated to silver hallmarking within the next two years. This enhancement will include both referral and assay laboratories, which will facilitate comprehensive testing protocols for silver items.

Currently, silver hallmarking is voluntary in India, having been established in 2005. Starting from September 2025, all hallmark silver items will feature a Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number, which will allow consumers to verify the purity of their purchases. According to BIS Deputy Director General (Laboratories) Nishat S Haque, the introduction of the HUID has already stimulated demand, and the agency is prepared to scale up its testing operations significantly.

"We will be able to handle the requirement within our own labs for roughly the next two years. Within that period, we will be expanding referral and assay laboratories across the country," Haque noted.

Data indicates that the demand for hallmarked silver jewellery has already surged, with the number of hallmarked articles increasing from 3.2 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year to an anticipated 5.9 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year. At present, approximately 230 Assaying and Hallmarking Centres are recognised by BIS for the testing of silver jewellery.

BIS operates its market surveillance testing of hallmarked gold jewellery through its own laboratories, ensuring stringent quality control without outsourcing. In the last year, the agency tested nearly 270,000 product samples, reflecting the sharp rise in certification demand.

BIS currently has 10 laboratories in operation and has established a larger network of around 440 recognised laboratories, including both private and government facilities. The organisation's Laboratory Recognition Scheme, which was initiated in 1985, has been pivotal in expanding this network.

The agency has also set close to 23,000 standards, of which approximately 700 are mandatory. As the laboratory network grows, the capacity to manage increasing certification needs will be enhanced.

BIS is also embracing new technologies, including artificial intelligence and robotics, to improve testing efficiency. A pilot programme featuring a robotic arm for cement testing is currently being initiated, with plans for further integration depending on the results.

Haque expressed confidence in the future of BIS's laboratory capabilities and urged manufacturers and consumers alike to rely on BIS-certified products for guaranteed quality. She stated, "Buy the BIS certified products... have confidence in that mark," highlighting the agency's commitment to assuring consumer protection and trust in silver hallmarking and testing processes.