EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order amends the categories of articles that are exempt from the prohibition in section 1 of the Hallmarking Act 1973 (the “1973 Act”) on describing unhallmarked articles as gold, silver or platinum.
Regulation 2(4) inserts three new weight based exemptions into the 1973 Act. Paragraph 12A applies to articles containing silver (but not gold or platinum) of minimum fineness. Paragraph 12B applies to articles containing gold (but not platinum) of minimum fineness and paragraph 12C applies to articles containing platinum of minimum fineness. In each case the weight based exemption relates to the total amount of metal in the article.
Regulations 2(2) and 2(5) amend the exemptions set out in paragraphs 12 and 14A of Schedule 1 to the 1973 Act. These exemptions have been modified so that they only apply to articles manufactured on or before 31st December 2007.
This Order was notified in draft to the European Commission in accordance with Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations (OJ No. L204, 21.7.98, p.37) as amended by Directive 98/48/EC (OJ No. L217, 5.8.98, p.18).
A full regulatory impact assessment (RIA) of the effect that this Order will have on the costs to business is available from the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, Stanton Avenue, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0JZ or from its website at www.nwml.gov.uk. The RIA is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument on the OPSI website. Copies have been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament.