A Bill seeking to expand the ambit of mandatory hallmarking of products, including gold, was introduced in the Lok Sabha today.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (Amendment) Bill 2012, introduced by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Prof K. V. Thomas, will empower the government to bring in a compulsory certification regime for any article or process that it considers necessary from the point of view of health, safety, environment and prevention of deceptive practice.

At present about 77 items, including cement, mineral water and milk products, are certified through mandatory hallmarking under the BIS Act, 1986 for conformity with expected quality levels.

The BIS hallmark, a mark of conformity widely accepted by the consumer, bestows the additional confidence to the consumer on the quality of products like gold jewellery.

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