New Delhi: A new report, Developing Indian Hallmarking – A roadmap for future growth, released today by the World Gold Council (WGC), finds that improvements to the hallmarking system in India are essential to a successful Gold Monetization Scheme (GMS).

The report provides an in-depth assessment of the current Indian hallmarking system and a summary of international best practice methods. It recommends a number of steps to enhance the current system which, if implemented, would rebuild trust in the purity of Indian gold, giving consumers greater confidence in the caratage of their gold purchases.

The report also finds that an increased confidence in Indian gold, which a rigorous and consistent nationwide scheme would deliver, has the potential to increase the country’s gold exports from an existing US$8 billion to US$40 billion by 2020.

Since the introduction of a hallmarking standard in 2000 by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) India has made good progress in developing its hallmarking system. However, only 30 per cent of Indian gold jewellery is currently hallmarked. There are widespread differences in purity and an average under-caratage of anywhere from 10% to 15%.

The report highlights that a lack of BIS-recognized hallmarking centres across the country is also likely to have an impact on the successful implementation of the Indian Government’s GMS which is dependent upon the collateralization value of gold.

Commenting on the launch of the hallmarking report Somasundaram PR, Managing Director, India, WGC said, “A credible hallmarking system with a widespread presence of assaying and hallmarking centres is essential for both the gold jewellery industry and for the implementation of a successful monetization scheme. Hallmarking is to jewellery what ’know your customer’ norms are for financial services it is essential to the success of the jewellery industry in a world where consumers seek transparency, quality and consistency and is critical to building consumer trust and confidence .

The trust and confidence which comes with a credible nationwide hallmarking system will underpin the growth of gold jewellery exports, boosting the Indian industry’s credibility in the global jewellery sector. It is a fundamental requirement if the industry wants to have a bigger role in the ‘Make in India’ ambition and eventually position India as “jeweller to the world’. In addition, the quality of gold would be a critical element for the success of the gold monetization scheme”.

Key findings:

The report recommends that India’s current hallmarking model, built around independent hallmarking and assay centres, should be retained. In addition it recommends six key actions which should be taken to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the current system:

• Strengthen governance around hallmarking processes
• Drive customer awareness of hallmarking
• Incentivize and facilitate targeted expansion of hallmarking centres
• Use BIS data to develop a ratings system for jewellers
• Pilot BIS’ Unique ID scheme or other technology solutions to support hallmarking
• Pursue membership of the International Hallmarking Convention or develop an Asian alternative

In the long term, the report recommends hallmarking should be made mandatory and recommends a transition to a manufacture-driven system which would drive consolidation within the unorganized jewellery manufacturing industry.