NAJ welcomes authorities hallmarking reform assertion

The Nationwide Affiliation of Jewellers (NAJ) and the UK’s 4 Assay Places of work have welcomed recognition by the Division for Enterprise and Commerce of the significance of hallmarking.

The NAJ mentioned that in response to its joint letter with the Assay Places of work calling for reform to the 1973 Hallmarking Act, the minister for employment rights and client safety Kate Dearden MP recognised that hallmarking safeguards shoppers whereas selling honest competitors throughout the jewelry trade.

The NAJ added that Dearden acknowledged that present legal guidelines are not appropriate for modern retail practices comparable to on-line promoting, and affirmed the federal government is trying to refresh the principles round hallmarking when there’s a legislative car to take action.

It mentioned that the federal government has additionally invited the organisation and treasured metallic purity testers to satisfy with officers to look at enforcement challenges in on-line marketplaces and focus on the sensible modifications wanted to maintain the system robust and match for the long-term.

The Assay Places of work and NAJ mentioned it welcomed this opportunity for additional correspondence and would again the federal government in creating a contemporary hallmarking framework that maintains its lengthy‑standing integrity, enhances client safety and stays a world‑main customary.

The letter they co-authored and submitted in December pushed for a proper session on a number of particular amendments to the Hallmarking Act, comparable to extra outlined definitions for on-line commerce, assertion that digital listings represent an “provide to promote”, growth of legal responsibility to on-line marketplaces and permitting for more practical enforcement within the digital sphere.

The NAJ mentioned the federal government has confirmed that future proposals will likely be underpinned by proof and operational insights from it and the Assay Places of work.

Ben Massey, CEO of the Nationwide Affiliation of Jewellers, mentioned: “We’re happy to obtain such a constructive and inspiring response from the Minister. The UK hallmarking regime offers important client safety, giving individuals confidence that the valuable metallic they’re shopping for is strictly what it claims to be.

“As extra worldwide sellers achieve entry to UK shoppers, it will be significant that the system continues to evolve so it stays match for goal, helps accountable enterprise, and protects the general public. We look ahead to working intently with the Division for Enterprise and Commerce to make sure the laws retains tempo with the wants of as we speak’s market.”