The requirements concerning the design and manufacture of precious metal articles comprise provisions on the precious metal content of articles, the combining of various materials and hallmarking requirements. The requirements concerning raw material content and hallmarking shall be taken into consideration in the design and formulation of domestic products and prior to the import of foreign articles. Cooperation with Tukes and the assay office is the best way to avoid in advance any erroneous decisions.
Under legislation, an article of precious metal shall bear at least two marks when placed on the market: a responsibility mark indicating the party responsible and a fineness mark indicating content of pure precious metal. In Finland, the right to use responsibility marks is granted by Tukes, which maintains a register on all responsibility marks granted. Clients submit written applications for the right to use a responsibility mark and are also obliged to notify Tukes of any material changes relating to the mark and its use.
In the event that the client wishes to obtain the opinion of a third independent party approved by Tukes on the conformity of an article of precious metal, the client shall submit the article to an assay office for inspection and hallmarking. Tukes is tasked with supervising the assay office and carrying out market supervision.
Manufacturers and subcontractors execute designed products. The manufacturer is ultimately responsible for articles of precious metal being in compliance with statutory requirements.
Assay offices may serve as the body verifying the conformity of articles of precious metals. Submission of articles of precious metals for inspection and hallmarking became non-mandatory at the beginning of 2001.