Lanka to join hallmarking convention

The first Assay Office in Sri Lanka was established in 1981 with the prime objectives of achieving legally enforced compulsory hallmarking system and joining the hallmarking convention to gain higher recognition for our jewellery in competitive foreign markets.

To achieve the objective of joining the convention, three member Standing Committee delegation of the Convention on the Control & Marking of Precious Metals (Hallmarking Convention) is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka on 28th July, 2008 on the invitation of National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Chairman Hasitha Tillekeratne.

During this visit the delegation is scheduled to study Sri Lanka’s accession arrangements to the “Hallmarking Convention” and also to assess the capability of the Assay Office to comply with technical and legal requirements laid down by the convention.

The delegation members are, Ronald Le Bas - Chairman of the Standing Committee/ Irish Assay Office/ Ireland David Evans - Member/ Former Chairman of the Standing Committee and Deputy Warden London Assay Office/ United Kingdom. Daniel Brunner - Secretary to the Standing Committee / Switzerland.

The convention which was signed among 7 countries in 1972, is an agreement between States for facilitating international trade in precious metal articles/ jewellery, while maintaining consumer protection. The convention is open to any member state of the United Nations having the required arrangements for the “Independent assaying & hallmarking” system.

The convention operates parallel with the International Association of Assay Offices of which Lanka Assay Office is a member. When any State becomes a convention member the particular country is legally empowered to use the Convention’s Common Control Mark (CCM) on gold, silver and platinum articles/ jewellery after the fineness (purity) of the alloys has been tested (assayed) by agreed and accepted analytical ISO methods.