Geneva (6 October 2014): The 75th meeting of the Standing Committee (SC) took place in Lisbon (Portugal) on 22 September 2014 under the chairmanship of Mr Ronald W.A. Le Bas (Irish Assay Office). The meeting was attended by 50 officials representing 21 countries of which 18 Contracting States, 2 Applicant States (Croatia and Serbia) and guest from Georgia.
The SC re-elected the Chairman, Mr Ronald Le Bas (Irish Assay Office); the First Deputy Chairman, Mr Ashley Carson (Sheffield Assay Office); and the Second Deputy Chairperson, Ms. Maria Magdalena Ulaczyk (Polish Regional Assay Offices) for the period 2015-2016.
The SC discussed a proposal by the Standing Technical Group (STG) to amend the Convention's Annexes and Technical Decisions. The proposal includes the possibility to allow intermediate base metal layers in silver articles, subject to conditions, as well as the possibility to apply a combined CCM and Assay Office mark.
The issue of how to deal with "non-recognised entities" such as Kosovo and Palestine as well as their possible participation in the SC as guests were also debated. The SC agreed to deal with these entities on a case-by-case basis.
The SC reviewed the outcome of a survey, sent to representatives of Ministries, on possible changes to the functioning of the Convention, in particular the decision-making process.
The SC welcomed the forthcoming inspections to both Serbia and Croatia on 10-11 November 2014 and 13-14 November 2014, respectively. With regard to the dispute on Italy's accession, which has been opposed by the Czech Republic, SC Members agreed to consult their Governments on how end the current stalemate.
The SC revised the mandate of the Standing Technical Group (STG) and appointed "Corresponding Members", who will help the current 6 STG Members with their heavy workload. The new STG Chair is Mr Thomas Brodmann (Swiss Assay Office).
Members finally agreed to reconvene in Tel Aviv (Israel ) on 10 March 2015.