Will Evans, Director of the London Assay Office, comments on the Government’s plan to launch a review of the British Hallmarking Council (BHC)
In the “New approach to ensure regulators and regulation support growth” policy paper, launched on the 17 March 2025, the UK government announced that it will “commence a review into the British Hallmarking Council (BHC) which will look at the role, remit and governance of the BHC, including options to merge, abolish or reform it.” The BHC is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the department for Business & Trade.
Commenting on the announcement, Will Evans, Director of the London Assay Office, one of the four UK Assay Offices who are responsible for testing and hallmarking precious metals, said:
“We welcome the Government’s review of the BHC, which was established in January 1974 under the Hallmarking Act of 1973. The Act, which was last updated in 2000, ensures the integrity of precious metal standards, providing assurance to consumers and businesses, and a guarantee of the purity and quality of items purchased made from precious metals (gold, silver, platinum and palladium).
Hallmarking has played a crucial role in consumer protection and industry confidence for seven centuries. The Goldsmiths’ Company’s London Assay Office was the UK’s first Assay Office, established in 1300. We look forward to engaging constructively with the Review to ensure that the UK’s hallmarking framework continues to uphold trust, protect consumers, and support businesses.
It is essential that any future opportunities for the regulation of hallmarking in the UK not only maintain high standards and protect buyers of precious metals, but also support growth, innovation, and the continued success of the UK’s assay offices and the jewellery and silversmithing industries. This includes:
- Options to reinvigorate overseas trading with our customers in EU markets, which has taken a blow in the wake of Brexit; and
- Addressing ongoing issues relating to hallmarking enforcement, especially of online marketplaces.
In the meantime, we remain committed to fulfilling our statutory duties.”