The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has issued the Good Delivery Guidelines, 2026, introducing a framework to promote responsible sourcing, traceability and transparency in the bullion market, as India looks to strengthen its position in global gold trading.
The guidelines aim to establish a transparent pathway for domestic and international refiners to supply gold through the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) at GIFT City, subject to compliance with prescribed technical standards and responsible sourcing requirements.
Traditionally, good delivery standards have focused on the purity, weight, dimensions and refining quality of gold bars. However, global bullion markets increasingly require assurances that gold has been sourced through supply chains that meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.
Gold can originate from mined doré, recycled jewellery, manufacturing scrap and other secondary sources, each carrying different risks related to provenance, human rights, conflict financing and environmental practices.
Under the IFSCA framework, refiners will be required to conduct supply-chain due diligence, identify and assess sourcing risks, maintain traceability, establish governance and control systems, and undergo credible independent assurance.