Exports of silver and gold to EU hit by Brexit deal
BRITISH silversmiths are being frustrated in their efforts to sell silver and gold in the European Union after the Brexit trade deal failed to recognise the UK’s centuriesold hallmarks.
The UK has a rigorous system of quality validation, with a maker’s mark, date year and an Assay Office mark required on every item.
However, hallmarking was overlooked in the Brexit trade deal – which has left UK silversmiths struggling to export British silver and gold into the EU. The problems also affect jewellery.
This is despite British silversmiths still adhering to the identical international ISO and BSO standards that the EU recognised until the end of December last year.
Sir John Hayes, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Craft, called for the amending of the 1973 Hallmarking Act.
He said it was “preposterous” that UK hallmarks should not be recognised by the EU. “We need to challenge the basis for EU nonrecognition of British marks, one of the highest quality British standards in the world. There is no concession required from the EU.”
The hallmark allows each piece of silver to be traceable back to a single workbench. The current legal operating standard for ‘Sterling’ silver has not changed since 1275 and hallmarking has been required here since 1320.
UK goods can be recognised if makers pay for an extra “Convention Mark”, or “Common Control Mark” set out in the 1972 Vienna Hallmarking Convention.
However, only 16 EU countries are signatories, and major UK markets are not covered.
The Government said the problems did not affect any silver or gold on the market before Jan 1 this year.
Any new stock entering the GB market will require a UK hallmark or Common Control Mark while any new stock exported to EU members will require a mark recognised by those countries.
A spokesman said: “It was not possible to reach agreement with the EU on the UK’s proposal for a Mutual Recognition Agreement on conformity assessment.
“The UK Government’s focus is on helping prepare businesses for upcoming opportunities.”