Vijayawada: Sleuths of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Vijayawada, seized Akshaya Hallmark and Testing Centre at Jai Hind Complex after it was found to be operating without mandatory BIS recognition and was issuing hallmark symbols on gold ornaments, in constituting a violation under Section 14 of the BIS Act, 2016.A BIS team led by joint directors B Rajgopal and K Sai Kaushik conducted a surprise search operation and found out that the firm was illegally hallmarking gold jewellery without BIS approval. The center was issuing hallmark symbols such as ‘22K916′ without a valid Hallmarking Unique Identification (HUID), a clear infringement of BIS norms.Further, a laser marking machine being used for unauthorized hallmarking activities was seized during the operation. All seized items have been taken into BIS custody for further legal action.On the occasion, BIS Vijayawada officials emphasised: “BIS strongly advises all jewellers and hallmarking centers to adhere to BIS regulations. Unauthorised hallmarking is a serious offence and will not be tolerated. Vigilance and enforcement actions will continue unabated to prevent any misuse or violation.”BIS Vijayawada director Prem Sajani Patnala, stated that appropriate legal action will be initiated under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016, which provides for imprisonment up to one year, or a fine not less than Rs 1,00,000, which may extend up to five times the value of the goods involved, or both.The BIS director further appealed consumers to report instances of Standard mark misuse (use of ISI mark or hallmarking without HUID) to the BIS Vijayawada Branch Office, located at the First Floor, AP Markfed Building, APIIC Colony Road, Auto Nagar, Vijayawada – 520007.
