Common sense prevails over Governments Hall Marking Red Tape Challenge

UK Governments Red Tape Challenge

You may have read about the Governments recent Red Tape Challenge which aimed to cut down some of the large amount of bureaucracy found in many aspects of UK life. Opulent Ethics reported in April about how the Government was trying to cut some regulations which are in fact necessary. We focused on Hallmarking, the benchmark of UK jewellery industry standards, as we felt that this is something that should remain untouched. You can read that particular blog here.

And, thankfully, over 6000 of you agreed. The Red Tape Challenge put forward numerous topics from a wide range of industries and asked industry members, related companies and members of the public to make their views known. When Assaying was put forward as one of the topics under review the jewellery industry were up in arms and rallied to ensure that enough people's views were conveyed.

After such an amazing response the Government has reviewed the Hallmarking regulations and come to the conclusion that Hallmarking and, by default, the Assay Offices in the United Kingdom shall remain untouched. There was outrage when the Hallmarking part of the Challenge went public resulting in key members of the industry such as BJA chief executive Simon Rainer and NAG chief executive Michael Hoare to write personally to both the Prime Minister David Cameron and the Business Secretary Vince Cable to air their views.

This was also backed up by over 6000 industry members, small designer-makers, retailers and consumers who all commented on the Red Tape Challenge site about the importance of the UK Hallmarking system and how it protects manufacturers, retailers and consumers.

Michael Allchin, who is the chief executive of the Birmingham Assay Office, spoke out to say that the Birmingham Assay office is "extremely pleased that the outcome of the Red Tape Challenge has endorsed our rigorous independent regime". He also thanked all those who had commented for taking the time to voice concerns about the potential impact that scrapping hallmarking could have had.

He went on to say: "When The Birmingham Assay Office began its campaign to alert the trade to the Red Tape Challenge, our prime concern was that hallmarking should not be abolished by default because no one bothered to reply. In the end the level and quality of the response was overwhelming and gratifying.

We are strong believers in the trade working together for its own good and the unprecedented joint response from the trade associations and major buying groups carried significant weight. This was further reinforced by literally thousands of comments from individual retailers, makers, designers, politicians and consumers whose combined views ensured that hallmarking was not abolished. We appreciate the support from all those who took time to submit their views to the Red Tape Challenge.”

It just goes to show that individual voices can make a change for the better and all in the UK jewellery industry, including Opulent Ethics, are greatly relieved that this is over. Without Hallmarking the quality of UK jewellery would have been breached. It is these Assay regulations which help keep UK jewellery at the fore-front of the worldwide jewellery industry. So well done to all who voiced their opinions!

That's all for now....

A preview of the amazing up and coming Goldsmiths Centre

With a planned opening possibly as soon as November this year, the new Goldsmiths Centre is really starting to take shape. Opulent Ethics were lucky enough to be part of a small group being shown around the site by Rebecca van Rooijen, Project Officer for the Goldsmiths Centre and co-founder of Benchpeg, the jewellery industry's weekly digital newsletter.

Made up partly from a Grade II Listed School with a newly built entrance and audio-visually equipped exhibition space the building is going to be the home of the newest jewellery community in London and will boast state of the art facilities and technologies all within an environmentally concious building.



Artists impression of new Goldsmiths Centre



The Goldsmith Centre plans to recycle rainwater in the lavatories and have photo voltaic cells on the roof which will help power the sensory building. It has everything that Opulent Ethics would look for in an eco-concious building.

And who will fill the space? Well, there is definately something for everyone. The public can pop in to use the cafe facilities or view work in the impressive exhibition space. Companies will be able to hire the conference facilities. Up and coming and mature companies can hire workshop space on a rolling contract. And students will have supported access to workshop space and masters of different specialisms in the industry.

And the students won't even have to be in the same room as the experts they are learning from. The Goldsmith Company are looking to spend time recording and preserving the teachings of these experts in order to ensure traditional skill bases do not dye out.

The overall aim of the building is to bring a breath of fresh air to the industry by increasing and supporting learning, knowledge transfer and trade. As the history and traditions of jewellery are weakening with newer, quicker, more precise technologies drawing attention away the Goldsmith Centre is looking to halt this by offering pre-apprenticeship schemes and evening classes in specific skills.

All in all the Goldsmiths company charity, which the Goldsmiths Centre will run under, are aiming to start the biggest revival of the jewellery industry in living memory. Good luck to them!

And if even a fraction of the staff who work in the finished centre have the contagious enthusiasm of Rebecca van Rooijen then the centre can't fail to be one of the most inspirational platforms for jewellers of all levels to work in.

For more information please see the Goldsmiths Centre website.

That's all for now....

New Designers does exactly what it says on the tin!

Opulent Ethics have been so busy over the last 3 weeks that we have been neglecting the blog. We thought you deserved an explanation of why we haven't been around so here goes....

- First off we completed the Precious Pomanders for our final university project. These will be up on the Opulent Ethics website as soon as possible but here is a picture of the final pieces in the meantime.

Cherished mini-pomanders

- Then Opulent Ethics exhibited in the Birmingham City University School of Jewellery final show alongside Emily Richard, Annie Li and Susie Alexander to name but a few.

- And finally we arrived in London for New Designers....and boy what a treat that was! Not only was it a great opportunity to show Opulent Ethics off to the public but there were also a few other ethical students exhibiting that we got to meet and swap and share ideas with.

Ali Bartlett was in the Applied Craft section of New Designers but we met up and talked about the future of working with sustainable and recycled materials in our work.

Ali Bartlett sandblasted bead

Craig Owen was with the Duncan of Jordanstone University of Dundee stand and had spent his time researching sustainability as a design feature. There were a few interesting conversations and discussions had here!

Lynsey Pluck was exhibiting under the One Year On section of New Designers and was showing off some of her recycled sari material pieces. All the materials used by Lynsey are ethically sourced and the result is beautiful.

Lynsey Pluck recycled sari material brooch

It was a fantastic chance to get feedback and share ideas with new people and, more importantly, new people who share Opulent Ethics' ideals. It was a great chance to share and learn from other sources.

So, thank you to Birmingham City University's School of Jewellery for 3 years of inspiring, tiring, challenging work. Thanks to New Designers for hosting Opulent Ethics and all the other amazing exhibitors. And thank you to the new friends that we made there...Ali Bartlett and Craig Owen.

That's all for now....