Consumers encouraged to check Hallmark on precious metals

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D., today (14th December 2016) published the Hallmarking (Amendment) Bill 2016.

This Bill will update the Hallmarking Act 1981 by adding palladium and mixed precious metals to the list of precious metals that can be hallmarked by the Irish Assay Office, as well as providing for the possibility of off-shore marking by the Irish Assay Office in the future (if it so wishes) and increasing the penalties for offences under the Act.

Commenting on the publication, the Minister stated “Hallmarking of precious metals is the oldest consumer protection legislation in Ireland and dates back almost 400 years. It guarantees the consumers that the object they intend buying is, in fact, the precious metal it claims to be.”

Continuing, the Minister stated that “Expenditure on precious metals by consumers, especially in the run up to Christmas, is often one of the more significant outlays that they undertake during their lives. It is important that they are not misled into buying objects that are not what they claim to be. Consumers should demand to see the hallmark on any precious metal object they wish to buy and report any businesses that do not provide the information required under law.”