BIS raids Guwahati jewellery shop over alleged misuse of hallmark

Guwahati, May 25 (MExN): The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Guwahati Branch Office, carried out a search and seizure operation at the premises of M/s Shree Sainath Jewellery at Basistha Chariali, Bakrapara Road in Guwahati on May 24 following complaints regarding alleged misuse of BIS Hallmark and unauthorised sale of gold jewellery without BIS hallmarking registration.

According to an official statement, the operation revealed that the establishment was prominently displaying the BIS Hallmark logo on banners and outside walls of the shop despite not possessing BIS hallmarking registration or authorisation for use of the BIS Hallmark.

The BIS alleged that the shop was also involved in the sale of gold jewellery articles bearing spurious BIS Hallmark.

“The use of spurious or unauthorised hallmark is a serious violation under the provisions of the BIS Act, 2016, as hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts has been made mandatory by the Government of India in notified districts to ensure purity assurance and consumer protection,” the statement said.

It stated that gold jewellery products are covered under the mandatory hallmarking order notified by the Government of India and action is being initiated against the offenders for violation of Sections 15(1) and 15(2) of the BIS Act, 2016.

Under the Act, such violations are punishable with imprisonment for a term extending up to one year, or a fine of not less than Rs 1 lakh, which may extend up to five times the value of the goods or articles produced, sold, offered for sale, or affixed with a Standard Mark, including Hallmark, or both.

The BIS Act, 2016, prohibits any person from importing, distributing, selling, storing or exhibiting for sale any goods or articles notified under Section 14(1) without certification from the Bureau.

It further states that no person other than one certified by the Bureau shall sell, display or offer for sale goods or articles notified under Section 14(3) and marked with the Standard Mark, including Hallmark, or make claims relating to the Standard Mark through advertisements, promotional leaflets, price lists or similar means.

The BIS said it has been conducting search and seizure operations whenever information or complaints relating to violations of the BIS Act, 2016, are received in order to safeguard consumer interests.

It also appealed to citizens to report instances where mandatory products are sold without BIS certification or registration, or where misuse of the ISI Mark or BIS Hallmark is detected.

Complaints may be submitted to the Head, Guwahati Branch Office, 2nd Floor, West End Building, Block Housefed Complex, Dispur, Guwahati-781006, or through email at ghbo@bis.gov.in.

“The source of such information will be kept confidential,” the statement added.