The International Financial Services Centres Authority has issued final Good Delivery Guidelines, 2026 for gold, according to a Corplawupdates summary dated 16 October, which gives 15 October as the issue date in the body. The 46-page guidelines took immediate effect and replace a draft that took comments until 31 December 2025. The Bullion Exchange in IFSC (IIBX) implements them. They cover gold only. Spectate Media has not seen the document itself.
What changed
Good Delivery now means the BIS and NABL quality and technical standards plus responsible sourcing. The summary says technical quality alone is no longer enough. The rules apply to refiners in India, including SEZs and IFSCs, and abroad that want Accredited Refiner status, and to existing accredited refiners.
The five steps
Modelled on OECD due-diligence guidance, they are: a written supply-chain policy with board oversight and a compliance officer; due diligence on clients and sources, with records kept for at least 8 years and supplier payments through banking channels; action on risks, with a six-month remediation window that can be extended by six months, and immediate suspension when involvement in money laundering, terrorist financing or serious abuses is established; a third-party audit; and an annual public report.
Audits
Audits follow the ISAE 3000 standard. Limited assurance is needed within two years of accreditation and reasonable assurance within five years. Reports go to the exchange within 90 days of the audit period ending. A "not compliant – high risk deviations" rating requires a reasonable-assurance follow-up within 180 days. Auditors must be registered with ICAI, ICSI or ICMAI or an overseas equivalent, with at least two years' audit experience.
Stock and open items
Gold with a verifiable date up to the guidelines' issuance is exempt from origin checks. The exchange's accreditation criteria were not yet published when the summary was written.
Key numbers
- Framework: 5 steps (OECD-style due diligence)
- Limited-assurance audit: Within 2 years (Of accreditation)
- Reasonable-assurance audit: Within 5 years (Of accreditation)
- Record keeping: 8 years (Minimum)
What boards and CFOs should note
Three points stand out. First, refiners that want to deliver on IIBX must now show sourcing compliance, not just purity. Second, audit and record-keeping costs rise for them and for their suppliers. Third, accounting firms can become auditors, subject to empanelment.
Source: Corplawupdates, 16 October 2026. This is a summary of a news report, published as general information. It is not legal, tax or investment advice.
This article is journalism and commentary. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security, and it is not professional advice. Read the full disclaimer.
