New Hallmarking Dealer's Notice To Be Introduced

The Dealer’s 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.  

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.  

Legal requirement 

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.  

This must be the notice produced by the British Hallmarking Council (BHC).  

New version 

The Dealer’s Notice has been updated to incorporate: 

• 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’s sub-office in Mumbai.  The new mark consists of a vertical anchor and a compass with a cut cornered rectangular outline.  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.  The use of this mark has been compulsory since 1 April 2019.  

• A new type 2 standardised CCM mark: The type 1 or traditional CCM conformity mark uses a different shield shape for each precious metal.  It also always contains the millesimal fineness of the alloy.  The new type 2 or standardised CCM mark is a single generic conformity mark used for all precious metals and finenesses.  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.  These accompanying fineness and metal identifying marks can be separate or combined.  

Online retailers 

The BHC’s 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’s Notice on their websites.  A suitable format for this is available.  

Dealer’s Notice from 1 May 2020 

From 1 May 2020 the revised version will be the only legally recognised notice.  

Following a 6 month period of grace this will become the only acceptable version as of 1 May 2020. This therefore replaces the previous version, last amended in 2015.  

How to get the new notice 

The new version is available as a free download from any of the Assay Office websites, you can find it here, and high quality printed versions are also available.  For those requiring large quantities of notices artwork is available for retailers to produce their own signs.  A version for online retailers is also now available.  

• Hard copy

As previously, high quality hard copies of the Dealer’s Notice will be available from the Assay Offices for a charge of £15 plus VAT and postage.    

• Electronic pdf file

The new Notice is also available as a pdf file on our website, you can download it here

• Online retailer version

A format for display in online shops is available, together with guidance for its display. You can find it on the British Hallmarking Council website.

• 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. Simply get in touch to receive a high resolution copy.

Reproduction of the electronic versions must meet specific criteria.  The Dealer’s 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. 

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The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.

To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us ,

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