The Convention on the Control and Marking of Articles of Precious Metals is an international treaty between States on the cross border trade in precious metal articles. It was signed in Vienna in November 1972 and entered into force in 1975.
It is also known as the “Hallmarking Convention”, the “Vienna Convention” or the "Precious Metals Convention".
The Convention aims at facilitating the cross-border trade of precious metal articles between Contracting States (i.e. States which are party to the Convention) while maintaining consumer protection. The scope of the Convention is strictly limited to the control of the precious metal content – not to health, security or other aspects of precious metals articles.
The Convention provides a common set of technical requirements for the independent third party verification of precious metals articles. Each Contracting State recognises that articles, which have been marked with the Convention “Common Control Mark” (CCM) and which are of a legal fineness, can enter their territory without additional control or marking.
The CCM is the first international hallmark and accepted in all the Convention's Contracting States. It is also recognised as a "quality" symbol in other countries. As a result, the CCM makes it easier for quality precious metals articles, for which there is a high demand, to travel and cross borders. The number of articles, marked with the CCM every year, reaches approximately 5 million.
The Convention, which is based on the principle of independent, third-party control, has greatly contributed to the harmonisation of standards related to the control and marking of precious metals articles and still continues to be the leading organisation in the field.
Related documents (PDF)
For the text of the Convention click here
For the information brochure (in English) click here