The Indian Association for Gold Excellence and Standards (IAGES) has crossed 100 accredited partners, with its network now covering over 550 partner outlets across 240 cities in India.

The self-regulatory body said its accreditation footprint spans 29 states, positioning it as a framework provider for trust, transparency, and standardization in the gold sector. The network integrates stakeholders across the value chain, including refiners, bullion traders, manufacturers, assaying and hallmarking centres, retailers, and digital gold retailers.

Retailers currently form the majority of accredited partners, having adopted the industry-defined code of conduct and standardised operating practices. IAGES noted increasing participation across other segments, indicating broader industry alignment with its accreditation system. Additional partners are in the pipeline, reflecting continued expansion.

“IAGES represents a truly pan-India network from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Mumbai to Kolkata, reiterating the industry’s need for a standard code of conduct uniting businesses under a common framework of best practices. While we have accredited large national players, it gives us happiness that small and medium players are coming forward in large numbers,” said Kaushlendra Sinha, CEO, IAGES.

Accreditation is granted following an independent third-party assessment of business practices across the value chain. The process evaluates compliance with operational, ethical, and sourcing standards. For jewellers, accreditation signals verified practices and adherence to defined standards. For consumers, it indicates that sourcing and manufacturing processes meet established benchmarks of authenticity and integrity. IAGES has also launched a consumer awareness initiative, ‘Before you buy gold, #PehlaCheckIAGES’, aimed at encouraging buyers to verify retailer accreditation prior to purchase.