Centre plans to mandate stricter, item-level use of unique identification numbers- Dhirendra Kumar dhirendra.kumar@livemint.comThe Centre plans to tighten gold hallmarking norms by mandating stricter, item-level use of unique identification numbers, aiming to curb duplication and improve traceability, two officials aware of the matter said. While hallmark unique identification (HUID) is already in use, the proposed framework will ensure each jewellery piece carries a distinct ID linked to its design, size and other specifications, which cannot be reused across items, even if they appear identical, or reassigned once melted, the first of the two officials said, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity. “The move will ensure that once a jewellery item is melted the unique ID assigned to it can’t be reused for any other product. It will prevent duplication or misuse of certification,” this person said. The new system will allow regulators and buyers to verify not just the hallmark number but also product-specific attributes through official records.

Source: Mint April 02, 2026 02:31 UTC