Achievements

BIS had ordered all the centre to deposit the bank guarantee of rupees five lakhs in May 2014. Which was cancelled due to efforts of IAHC.

With above order BIS had introduced rule of no negative tolerance. According to which any hallmarked article if tested at BIS referral lab and if found to be 91.59 or less then A&HMC was de recognized. Due to efforts from IAHC negative tolerance of 2 PPT was introduced. And sample when tested at BIS referral lab is found to be more than 914.0 or above was considered as valid hallmarked article.

With above order BIS had increased its royalty part from 2.50 to 4.00 rupees, without increasing marking fee which resulted in loss to A&HMCs. IAHC got this decision reversed and royalty was brought back to rupees 2.50.

BIS also had made it mandatory to take its permission to destroy cornets of check gold and due to this inventory of A&HMCs increased and Some A&HMCs were ordered to stop mark. This rule is changed now to keeping cornets of last thirty assays. And destroy earlier cornets without permission of BIS.

BIS also had restricted A&HMCs from using its logo on stationary be it visiting card, report letterhead. It was efforts of IAHC that we now can use the logo of BIS on stationary.

In the event of A&HMC being de recognized it was not allowed to reapply for next five years now this period is reduced to one year due to efforts of IAHC.

Any new A&HMC’s documents were earlier being sent to Delhi for approval which used to take minimum 45 days during which A&HMC was continuing to incur expenses. Due to IAHC’s efforts now this power are vested with regional offices saving time and cost for new A&HMCs.

First it used to be three audit for recognizing the new centre which used to take approximately six to seven months. Now due to efforts from IAHC it is only one audit for recognition. And hence time taken for recognition is only three months.

Even for renewal audit two officers used to visit for two days which now is one officer for two days which saves on audit expenses of one officer.

BIS also made it mandatory to have area of Fire assay lab to be minimum 150 Sq. Ft. which resulted in stop marking of many A&HMCs. IAHC successfully got it changed to preferable 150 Sq. Ft.

First even deputy assay master was required to have degree of B. Sc. (Chemistry) which now is 12th (Science) passed with two years of experience.

If A&HMC is approved for Gold & Silver and in the scenario of stop marking both license were suspended. Which now gets suspension only for Gold or Silver whichever is the case of stop marking. & A&HMC continues to assay and mark other metal article.

One Mr. Bharat Patel sent summons through Mumbai HC to many A&HMCs stating that he holds patent for laser marking machine. This resulted in money loss to many A&HMCs and in harassment. IAHC is defending the case at Mumbai HC in this matter representing all A&HMCs.

License fee for jewellers was based on population having validity of three years only. Due to representation from IAHC validity now stands at five years and License fee is based on Turnover of Jewellers.

Increased the Hallmarking Charges from 18 to 25 and Then from 25 to 35.

Agreed Government Mint to accept CRM sample through courier which resulted in saving of time and money for A&HMCs.

Jewellers demanded self-certification which was represented very well before BIS and was not allowed any such move from Jewellers.

Recently NGT had ordered CPCB to issue guidelines for A&HMCs to comply with various Pollution Control Acts and due to use of lead A&HMCs were to fall under RED category license from respective SPCB. Due to efforts of IAHC category of license is determined as orange.

January 2017 BIS introduced new policy where AHC can hallmark only 3 Purity 14 carat, 18 carat & 22 carat, With continuous follow up and meeting with BIS & Ministry iAHC was able to convinence them to add other purity also . BIS might soon add 20 Carat , 23 Carat & 24 Carat in the list .

To curb unfair practices & fake hallmarking IAHC was vigourously following for earliest implementation of hallmarking Digitalization system which Is now seen reality very soon.

There are so many works which are not possible to list here and benefits of all these has been made available to all A&HMCs irrespective of A&HMC being member of IAHC or not. Now Government is coming out with Domestic Council for Gems & Jewellery, which will be the apex body of the sector and government will consider only the issued and recommendation from above body with respect to our industry. Due to efforts of IAHC now IAHC is member of Ad hoc committee of DCGJ. To remain in the DCGJ we need to have strong membership base, which will help us protect our interest from issue like self-certification.

We request you to enroll for membership of IAHC for bright future of your A&HMC. Moreover we have minimum admission fee of Rs. 5000/- and yearly subscription fee of Rs. 2000/- only at present.or more details & membership registration call on our Helpline No +91 70166 26011 .

Thanking You

Team IAHC

Indian Association Of

Hallmarking Centres