How Assaying is done in the UK | |
SponsorsUnique sponsor's marks are registered for 10 years, and can be renewed ad infinitum. Sponsors may only use the Assay Office they are registered at, but they can register at more than one Assay Office. There is no requirement to investigate the commercial probity of any applicant for a sponsors' mark. Registration is not limited to U.K. residency.There are a total of 16,080 active sponsors registered at the Offices. SubmissionsArticles must be submitted in batches of the same precious metal and fineness. Assay Offices cannot refuse to accept any submission from a registered sponsor. Submission can be made by hand at the Office, by post, by courier or by security delivery firms. The liability, and exemptions, of each Office is listed in their Terms and Conditions. However it is worth noting that it is the duty of the customer to insure the goods against loss whilst they are at the Office or in transit. Also there are certain restrictions on values which can be sent by Registered Post and by security transport companies.Sampling and TestingThe sampling procedure consists of three phases in order to assess compliance with all aspects of the Hallmarking Act or the Convention.Firstly there is an inspection to confirm that all the articles are at a sufficiently advanced stage of manufacture and that all parts, including solder if appropriate, are present. For assembled articles where a lower fineness solder is permitted, checks are made to ensure that the use of solder is not excessive. Compliance with mixed metal and base metal etc., requirements is also determined. The second phase is tests to determine the homogeneity of the batch. This is done by touchstone and touch acid testing of all parts prior to sampling for analysis. Finally samples for fineness analysis are taken according to the reference sampling plan of the Convention as a minimum requirement. Depending on the nature of the article, composite samples result from the removal of small samples from several articles. The reference methods of testing of the Convention are used. However, each Office may develop its own analysis method as long as the results are consistent with those obtained by the Convention reference method. Each office is inspected annually by the Royal Mint, and the analytical results compared. While not obliged to do so, the Offices seek independent accreditation. Non-complianceNon-compliance of a batch can occur at the screening stage, or after analysis. If screening reveals non-compliance, no analysis is undertaken. Marking to a lower fineness than that claimed, or rejection for being below the minimum fineness, only occurs after three successive analyses. In the event of a batch being of mixed fineness, or of mixed technical requirements, the sponsor can opt for each article to be tested, but this costs more.MarkingEvery article must be struck with the appropriate fineness and Office mark and date year letter. Sponsors may request the Office to strike their mark, for which an additional charge is made. As all articles must bear a sponsor's mark as part of the complete hallmark, the sponsors mark must be struck on the article before submission, unless the office has been requested to do so. Various marking patterns are offered, but only on larger articles.Articles which fail the minimum standard are struck with a reject mark. From time to time, these articles may turn up at another Office. |
| Page address http://www.teg.co.uk/assay/descops.htm
Last Updated 6th November 2011 |
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