Tweet
The UK Government's current drive to reduce regulation was launched on 7th April under the banner of The Red Tape challenge. http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
The Red Tape Challenge has started by examining the Retail Sector and asking the electorate for their views on topics as diverse as "Sunday Trading" and "Trading with the Enemy".
You only have until 5th May 2011 to reply. PLEASE ACT NOW!
The Red Tape Challenge aims to reduce regulation which stifles enterprise and industry. The message from the Government appears to be that every regulation highlighted will be abolished - unless visitors to the website express sufficient good reasons to convince Ministers that this particular regulation must be kept.
Hallmarking is among the eight key topics on which the population is invited to air their views from now until 5th May 2011. There are other important topics there too, of huge significance to retailers and consumers.
We believe it is imperative to the British consumer for the current and future UK Jewellery Industry to maintain hallmarking as a statutory independent service.
We urge you to visit The Red Tape Challenge http://www.redtapechallenge.cabineto...uk/hallmarking and express your views now before Hallmarking is deregulated and 700 years of even handed consumer protection is brought to an abrupt end, not because people don't want it, but by default.
After 700 years hallmarking still works
Long before the kite mark on consumer goods there was the hallmark on precious metal, long before ISO 17025 there was sterling silver 925 and long before the lion mark on eggs there was the lion rampant on sterling silver. It would be easy to forget that the protection afforded to the consumer and the retailer by the Hallmark is still as relevant and indeed, as important, today as it was 700 years ago.
The simple reason for the continued relevance and importance of the hallmark, even after seven centuries, is simple: the public and indeed the expert remain unable to discern the precious metal content of an alloy by sight or touch alone.
Hallmarking is more important than ever before
Precious metal prices have surged in recent years and remain at an all time high as a result precious metals are no less precious, the potential financial gains from fraud and under-carating are no less lucrative and as a result the jewellery and silver buying, retailer and consumer are no less vulnerable.
Hallmarking still builds trust and sustains confidence
The UK hallmark continues to create a level playing field for those trading in precious metals, while simultaneously protecting the consumer. The reassurance and confidence that the hallmark provides benefits manufacturers and importers alike.
Without the UK hallmark our industry would be open to abuse through under-carating. The potential damage to consumer confidence and in turn the UK jewellery industry would be catastrophic.
Please take just a few moments to visit http://www.redtapechallenge.cabineto...uk/hallmarking and help us by voicing your support for UK hallmarking.
Thank you,
Scott Walter
Assay Master
The Red Tape Challenge has started by examining the Retail Sector and asking the electorate for their views on topics as diverse as "Sunday Trading" and "Trading with the Enemy".
You only have until 5th May 2011 to reply. PLEASE ACT NOW!
The Red Tape Challenge aims to reduce regulation which stifles enterprise and industry. The message from the Government appears to be that every regulation highlighted will be abolished - unless visitors to the website express sufficient good reasons to convince Ministers that this particular regulation must be kept.
Hallmarking is among the eight key topics on which the population is invited to air their views from now until 5th May 2011. There are other important topics there too, of huge significance to retailers and consumers.
We believe it is imperative to the British consumer for the current and future UK Jewellery Industry to maintain hallmarking as a statutory independent service.
We urge you to visit The Red Tape Challenge http://www.redtapechallenge.cabineto...uk/hallmarking and express your views now before Hallmarking is deregulated and 700 years of even handed consumer protection is brought to an abrupt end, not because people don't want it, but by default.
After 700 years hallmarking still works
Long before the kite mark on consumer goods there was the hallmark on precious metal, long before ISO 17025 there was sterling silver 925 and long before the lion mark on eggs there was the lion rampant on sterling silver. It would be easy to forget that the protection afforded to the consumer and the retailer by the Hallmark is still as relevant and indeed, as important, today as it was 700 years ago.
The simple reason for the continued relevance and importance of the hallmark, even after seven centuries, is simple: the public and indeed the expert remain unable to discern the precious metal content of an alloy by sight or touch alone.
Hallmarking is more important than ever before
Precious metal prices have surged in recent years and remain at an all time high as a result precious metals are no less precious, the potential financial gains from fraud and under-carating are no less lucrative and as a result the jewellery and silver buying, retailer and consumer are no less vulnerable.
Hallmarking still builds trust and sustains confidence
The UK hallmark continues to create a level playing field for those trading in precious metals, while simultaneously protecting the consumer. The reassurance and confidence that the hallmark provides benefits manufacturers and importers alike.
Without the UK hallmark our industry would be open to abuse through under-carating. The potential damage to consumer confidence and in turn the UK jewellery industry would be catastrophic.
Please take just a few moments to visit http://www.redtapechallenge.cabineto...uk/hallmarking and help us by voicing your support for UK hallmarking.
Thank you,
Scott Walter
Assay Master