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....

Is the latest Government idea making an ass(ay) out of Hallmarking?

For over 770 years now the UK has used hallmarking as a safety net for jewellery and silversmithing products, The service is offered by 4 Assay Offices in the UK (Edinburgh, Birmingham, Sheffield and London) and ensures that legal standards are met and adhered to.

Hallmarking

Other services offered by these Assay Offices include standard and laser hallmarking of many precious metals, analytical testing of jewellery to ensure they comply with current nickel and mercury legislation, measuring the thickness of plating, the assessment of bullion samples, durability and tarnish testing, environmental analysis and medical research to name but a few, and all this has made them an integral part of the UK jewellery industry.

The Coalition Government are currently trying to cut down on the amount of red tape that retail businesses have to go through. Under this review Hallmarking has been highlighted as one such area which could be removed. As it currently stands, every regulation which has been questioned will be abolished if no objection is raised before the deadline on May 5^th.

Outside of the UK our jewellery is held in such high regard because buyers know the standards our jewellery and silver products have to reach in order to be hallmarked. The Assay Offices are careful to monitor and adapt to legislation and they also change in light of public opinion. This was shown most recently with the new Fairtrade and Fairmined gold hallmark becoming available in conjunction with the Assay Office.

If hallmarking were to disappear this would open the UK jewellery industry to the possibility of imitation or lower quality pieces flooding the market. No longer would items be analysed and certified as containing the required and established levels of metals. In theory, anything could be used. And for those of us who are unable to tell the difference between 9 and 18 carat gold by eye, who knows what we will be buying?

In the short time since the Government suggested scrapping hallmarking there has been a huge outcry from all areas of the jewellery industry and beyond, calling for hallmarking to be left or only altered slightly.

So far, the Birmingham Assay Office have said that they “...believe it is imperative to the British consumer for the current and future UK jewellery industry to maintain hallmarking as a statutory independent service”. And others who support this sentiment include The Goldsmiths Company, F Hinds, Professional Jeweller, Retail Jeweller, Betts Metal Sales and Opulent Ethics, to name but a few, and these have been joined by 2633 other comments which have all been left on the Governments Red Tape Challenge website so far. And they all seem to be saying pretty much the same thing; “Keep the hallmark”.

If you wish to add your comments to the debate or believe that the hallmark is important enough to save please go to the Red Tape Challenge website and leave your thoughts. This is what the Government will be reviewing prior to making their final decision.

And it doesn’t just have to be your opinion on why the hallmarking system should be saved. If there are legislative parts of the process which you think could work better or be altered then put that down too. But please make sure that you do visit the site as, without your voice this could be the end of an important British jewellery standard.

That’s all for now....