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....