British Hallmarking Council
The British Hallmarking Council (BHC) is the statutory body overseeing the hallmarking system in the UK, ensuring precious metals adhere to legal standards of purity and authenticity. Its decisions directly influence assay office operations, hallmark integrity, compliance burdens, import regulations, and retailer liability. Jewellery Focus delivers thorough coverage of the BHC’s policy updates, statutory reviews, consultation outcomes, and enforcement actions, offering insight into how changes to hallmarking rules impact design, manufacturing, sourcing, and retail risk. Our specialist reporting helps jewellers, manufacturers, assay offices, and suppliers understand and adapt to evolving hallmarking legislation, maintain compliance, and uphold consumer confidence across the UK market.
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May- 2018 -2 MayCurrent Affairs
Industry figures comment on overseas hallmark outcome
Leading figures in the industry have commented on the outcome of the British Hallmarking Council’s consultation on overseas hallmarking styles. The Council decided in principle that hallmarks struck overseas by UK assay offices should be distinguished by way of a special mark. Discussions are now taking place with assay offices…
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May- 2017 -25 MayAppointments
Noel Hunter OBE appointed chairman of British Hallmarking Council
Noel Hunter OBE has been appointed as the new chairman for the British Hallmarking Council. Hunter said: “I am delighted to be elected to lead this prestigious and important body. Hallmarking verifies the integrity of some of the most precious items we possess, both on a personal and a monetary…
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Oct- 2016 -5 OctoberCurrent Affairs
UK jewellers consider legal challenge to BAO over Indian hallmarking
A group of jewellers and silversmiths in the UK are considering a legal challenge to the Birmingham Assay Office over its practice of using UK hallmarking overseas. The news comes after the Birmingham and Sheffield Assay Offices’ marks have been approved by the British Hallmarking Council for use in their…
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Aug- 2016 -24 AugustCurrent Affairs
UK Jewellers launch parliamentary petition to restrict offshore UK hallmarks
A group of UK silversmiths and jewellers have launched a campaign to restrict the use of distinctive traditional UK hallmarks, including city marks, to items hallmarked in the UK. For over 700 years UK hallmarks have only been struck in the UK, but the campaign said that there is now…
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Jul- 2015 -28 JulyTrade Organisations
British Hallmarking Council to recruit four new members
The British Hallmarking Council (BHC) has announced that it is looking to recruit four new members. Established by the Hallmarking Act 1973, BHC protects consumer interests in the jewellery industry by ensuring that there are adequate facilities for hallmarking in the UK and advising the Secretary of State for the…
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Jun- 2015 -5 JuneAdvice
Hallmarking: What You Need To Know
Some jewellers have been in the news recently for falling foul of the Hallmarking Act – and they have faced legal repercussions as a result. We spoke to Trading Standards in Birmingham to find out exactly what jewellers’ obligations are to make sure they do not breach the rules. If…
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Jul- 2014 -8 JulyCurrent Affairs
London borough of Southwark wins Touchstone Award 2014
The British Hallmark Council and the four Assay Offices of the UK have announced the London borough of Southwark is the winner of the Touchstone Award 2014. In its third annual presentation, the Touchstone Award recognises innovative initiatives undertaken in relation to hallmarking legislation. Southwark’s initiative was prompted by a…
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Nov- 2012 -28 NovemberTrade Organisations
Birmingham City Council presented with hallmarking’s Touchstone award for second time
Birmingham City Council was recently re-presented with the British Hallmarking Council’s (BHC) award for Trading Standards, in respect of hallmarking.
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16 NovemberTrade Organisations
Watchdog Daily follows hallmark trail to Birmingham Assay Office
The Watchdog Daily team recently ventured to the Birmingham Assay Office, with a cohort of Birmingham Trading Standards officers, to document the progress of seized, wrongly hallmarked goods.
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Jul- 2012 -2 JulyEvents
Birmingham wins Touchstone Award
Birmingham City Council has become the winner of the Touchstone Award presented by the British Hallmarking Council.
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