The objective of the Hallmarking Convention (also known as "Precious Metals Convention") is to facilitate trade in precious metal articles while at the same time maintaining fair trade and consumer protection justified by the particular nature of these articles.
Group photo by drone
(courtesy: Ashley Carson, Sheffield Assay Office)
The Standing Committee's Chairmanship: Scott Walter (Edinburgh Assay Office), Chairman; Thomas Brodmann (Swiss Assay Office), First Deputy Chairman; and Peters Brangulis (Assay Office of Latvia), Second Deputy Chairman.
Photo taken at the SC meeting in Edinburgh on 11 September 2023
The first face-to-face meeting of the Standing Committee since the COVID-19 pandemic took place in Geneva (Switzerland) on 13 September 2022. It was preceded by a meeting of the Standing Technical Group (STG) on 12 September 2022 in the morning and a meeting of the Working Group on Vision & Strategy (WGVS) in the afternoon. It was followed by a meeting of the Working Group on European Union (WGEU) on 14 September in the morning. For further information, click on this link.
The 50th Anniversary Organising Committee (from left to right): Ashley Carson (Sheffield Assay Office), Peters Brangulis (Assay Office of Latvia), Daniel Brunner & Josephine Langley (Secretariat), Scott Walter (Edinburgh Assay Office), Thomas Brodmann (Swiss Assay Office), and Christos Kiayias (Cyprus Assay Office).
Photo taken at the Convention's 50th Anniversary in Larnaca (Cyprus) on 9-10 October 2025
50th anniversary dinner hosted by Cyprus Assay Office (9 October 2025) in the presence of former and current Office Holders - from left to right: former SC Chairman, Ronald Le Bas (Ireland), former SC Deputy Chairperson, Maria Magdalena Ulaczyk (Poland), Second Deputy Chairman), Peters Brangulis (Latvia), First Deputy Chairman, Thomas Brodmann (Switzerland), SC Chairman, Scott Walter (UK), and former SC Chairman, David Evans (UK).
There are currently 22 Contracting States, which are parties to the Convention.
2 other States are in the process of joining.
For the list of the 22 Contracting States click here
What is the Convention?
How is it working?
By downloading the information brochure on the Convention, you will get a short and concise overview on the Convention. Please note the brochure needs to be updated to include the accession of Italy on 15 December 2023.
Why should a State join the Convention?
What are the advantages of applying the Common Control Mark on precious metal articles?
Get the replies to your questions by clicking here
Regulations on the control and marking of precious metal articles vary from country to country.
Our database, which will progressively expand to Non-Members, provides useful links and information related to precious metal control.
For the database, see Country Profile