News
New Hallmarking Dealer鈥檚 Notice to be introduced
Posted 24/09/19
Summary听
The Dealer鈥檚 Notice, which must be displayed by all dealers supplying precious metal jewellery, is being updated to add two new marks, in a version that will be compulsory from 1 May 2020. 听
The updated version incorporates:
- A new differentiated hallmark for articles hallmarked outside of the UK by Birmingham Assay Office
- A new type 2 standardised CCM mark. 听
Legal requirement听
One of the requirements of the Hallmarking Act 1973 is that all dealers supplying precious metal jewellery (or other items made of precious metal) shall display a notice explaining the approved hallmarks. 听
This must be the notice produced by the British Hallmarking Council (BHC). 听
New version听
The Dealer鈥檚 Notice has been updated to incorporate:听
- A new differentiated hallmark for articles hallmarked outside of the UK by Birmingham Assay Office: the new differentiated Birmingham hallmark is now the only assay office mark being used on articles marked in Birmingham Assay Office鈥檚 sub-office in Mumbai.听 The new mark consists of a vertical anchor and a compass with a cut cornered rectangular outline.听 The decision to invoke a differentiated mark to be used by UK offices hallmarking outside of the UK was made by the British Hallmarking Council in March 2018.听 The use of this mark has been compulsory since 1 April 2019. 听
- A new type 2 standardised CCM mark: The type 1 or traditional CCM conformity mark uses a different shield shape for each precious metal.听 It also always contains the millesimal fineness of the alloy.听 The new type 2 or standardised CCM mark is a single generic conformity mark used for all precious metals and finenesses.听 It must be accompanied by a mark specifying the millesimal fineness of the alloy and a unique mark for each precious metal or the chemical symbol for the precious metal.听 These accompanying fineness and metal identifying marks can be separate or combined. 听
Online retailers听
The BHC鈥檚 view is that, although the Hallmarking Act makes no express reference to the internet, it applies to sales of, and other dealings with, articles made of precious metal conducted over the internet and accordingly dealers supplying precious metal articles online should display the Dealer鈥檚 Notice on their websites. 听A suitable format for this is available. 听
Dealer鈥檚 Notice from 1 May 2020听
From 1 May 2020 the revised version will be the only legally recognised notice. 听
Following a 6 month period of grace this will become the only acceptable version as of 1 May 2020.听 This therefore replaces the previous version, last amended in 2015. 听
How to get the new notice听
The new version is available as a free download from any of the Assay Office websites, and high quality printed versions are also available.听 For those requiring large quantities of notices artwork is available for retailers to produce their own signs.听 A version for online retailers is also now available. 听
A) Hard copy
As previously, high quality hard copies of the Dealer鈥檚 Notice will be available from the Assay Offices for a charge of 拢15 plus VAT and postage. 听 听
B) Electronic pdf file
The new Notice is also available as a pdf file on the websites of the four Assay Offices, the BHC and Trading Standards. 听
C) Online retailer version
A format for display in online shops is available, together with guidance for its display. 听
D) High resolution artwork
High resolution artwork is available electronically from each Assay Office, allowing retailers to print their own hard copies using a professional printer. 听
Reproduction of the electronic versions must meet specific criteria.听 The Dealer鈥檚 Notice:
- Must be printed in black and white
- Must be clearly legible
- Must be printed in its entirety with no amendments, additions or deletions
- Must be printed a minimum A4 size (210 x 297mm) portrait but can be larger if required.听
Contact: Sue Green, Secretary
Notes to editors
The British Hallmarking Council supervises the hallmarking activities of the four assay offices in the UK to ensure there is adequate provision of hallmarking within the UK.听 It is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body established and governed by the Hallmarking Act 1973.听
