India's Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has launched a voluntary hallmarking scheme for silver articles under the new standard BIS IS 2112:2025, effective from September 1, 2025. This marks a significant step toward ensuring purity, traceability, and consumer protection in the silver jewellery and artefacts market.
The scheme introduces the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) system—already successful in gold hallmarking—to the silver sector. Each hallmarked silver article will carry a six-digit alphanumeric HUID code that enables consumers to verify the purity, testing centre, and jeweller details through the BIS Care mobile application.
Under IS 2112:2025, the approved purity grades for silver are 800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990 and 999 (fineness parts per thousand). These grades align with international standards, making Indian silver articles more competitive in global markets.
The scheme is currently voluntary; however, BIS has indicated that a mandatory compliance review will be conducted after six months. This phased approach gives the silver trade—jewellers, manufacturers, and exporters—sufficient time to register with BIS, upgrade testing infrastructure, and adopt HUID-tagging processes.
The hallmarking process involves submission of silver articles to BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs), where purity is tested using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) or fire assay methods. Upon passing the test, the HUID is generated and stamped on the article.
For Rajasthan, which is a major hub for silver jewellery—especially in Jaipur—this policy holds significant economic relevance. It will boost consumer confidence, reduce adulteration, and potentially open export opportunities for certified silver articles.