Global Hallmarking requirements

Jewelry Discussion
1

Global Hallmarking requirements - German, Swiss, French, Japan etc

Hello all. I received some good advice regarding what I need to do
about hallmarking my jewellery to belegal for sale in Britain. But
now I have interest from buyers in Switzerland, Germany France and
Japan just for starters.

I’m having trouble keeping up with the work let alone making sure I
am compliant.

As far as I know Britain is the only country that is so particular
about hallmarking standards. If anyone can offer any more insight or
info into which other countries I might have to be prepared to
arrange hallmarking once the goods arrive I would appreciate it.

Thanks very much
Phil W

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If anyone can offer any more insight or info into which other
countries I might have to be prepared to arrange hallmarking once
the goods arrive I would appreciate it.

One of the Scandinavian countries also has a similar hallmarking
system to the UK. Sorry, but I don’t remember exactly which one,
whether it’s Sweden, Norway or Denmark, but we have an Orchid member
from whichever country it is, who may be able to elaborate.

Helen
UK

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If anyone can offer any more insight or info into which other
countries I might have to be prepared to arrange hallmarking once
the goods arrive I would appreciate it.

France and Switzerland have special requirements and regulations as
well.

For France, it is all about having someone responsible to guarantee
the fineness of the metal. Consequently, the hallmarking office is
called “bureau de garanti”. Locally made ware is stamped with the
(registered) makers mark, imported ware needs a (registered)
importers mark. All pieces beyond a certain weight need to be
additionally certified by the bureau de garanti.

I can not tell anything concrete about Switzerland, but know german
fellow goldsmith who have had their surprises with the swiss
regulations. From what I understood, they are similar to the french
ones.

Germany has regulations, but they are very lax. Something around:
You don’t have to hallmark, but if hallmarked it must be true.

Feel free to contact me, probably off-list, with your questions, and
I can answer for France and look up Germany and Switzerland for you.

4

Some of the EU Hallmarking regulations can be seen on the following
links also be aware of the EU nickel directive which limits the
amount that can be in some classes of jewellery (EEC Directive
76/769/EEC now amended by 2004/96/EC).

The first link has a table of countries who have hallmarking either
compulsory or otherwise in the EU

http://www.britishhallmarkingcouncil.gov.uk/law.htm

France has the oldest hallmarking in Europe
There is lots of other info on google

Robin Key
Clavis Jewellery
Aberdeen, Scotland

5

On the web-site hallmarkingconvention.org you can find links to the
assay offices of the 19 member states, including switzerland, UK and
the scandinavian countries.

Maj-Britt Zimlicki