The hallmark guarantees that the purity of the metal is at least that indicated by the fineness Number.

Current International Hallmarks

Since the 1st January 1999 following a ruling of the European Court of Justice, the UK is required to accept (and not re – hallmark) other European national hallmarks which provide an equivalent guarantee to consumers. It is the opinion of the British Hallmarking Council that such hallmarks must contain a Sponsor’s or Maker’s Mark, a Fineness (purity) Mark and an Assay Office Mark. For example:

The complete hallmark must guarantee that the purity of the metal is at least that indicated by the Fineness Number.
Some European national hallmarks incorporate the Fineness (Purity) Mark in the Assay Office Mark. For example:

Using these criteria, the national hallmarks of Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Portugal and Switzerland, without the Common Control Mark, are acceptable in the UK.
Some European hallmarking countries are not members of the International Convention.
Spain has a dual system of Assay Office hallmarking and licensed manufacturers marking. The only Spanish hallmarks which conform to the British Hallmarking Council are:

In the opinion of the British Hallmarking Council, the national laws of Belgium and France do not presently provide an equivalent guarantee. Some European hallmarking countries are in the process of joining the International Convention (i.e. France). Consequently, the list of acceptable Assay Office marks is likely to be extended according to these developments.

Italy, Greece and Luxembourg do not have Independent systems of guarantee. Articles from these countries must be hallmarked in the UK or Convention hallmarked in one of the Convention countries.

National hallmarks of countries outside the European Economic Area are not legal in the UK. Articles from these countries must be hallmarked in the UK or Convention hallmarked in one of the Convention countries.

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