Central government to consider nine-digit alphanumeric identity code for jewellery

26 Dec 2014 Evaluate

The Central government is actively considering introduction of a nine-digit alphanumeric identity code for every jewellery item manufactured in India, which would help determine the purity and traceability. The code is proposed to be encrypted on every ornament.

The major aim is to protect consumers from being duped, through tracing of the origin, certifying and assaying of ornaments. At present, some organised retailers sell ornaments with the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) hallmark, at a premium to local jewellers.

Currently, prices vary from one jeweller to another and so do ornaments’ resale value. Mandating an alphanumeric code is an attempt to fix a uniform standard for ornaments and make these resaleable at a uniform price. The hallmarking and assaying centres will be given the mandate of providing the nine-character code. The jewellery industry is sceptical of the practical implementation of this concept, considering the extensive base of number of jewellers and lack of infrastructure especially in remote places.

 

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