Trading standards
Our experts are ready to help you find the perfect solution whether it’s hallmarking, analytical testing or valuations,
Supporting enforcement, protecting consumers, and raising standards in the jewellery industry.
For over 250 years, Birmingham Assay Office has worked alongside regulators and enforcement authorities to uphold the integrity of the UK jewellery and precious metals market. From hallmarking law to REACH product safety, our role is to provide independent expertise, testing, and training that supports Trading Standards teams in protecting consumers and ensuring compliance across the industry.
We combine our heritage with modern laboratory testing and training programmes to help public sector partners enforce the law effectively and safeguard consumer trust.
Your challenges...
Trading Standards teams face increasing pressure to:
- Enforce UK Hallmarking law across retail, online, and marketplace channels.
- Identify and remove non-compliant or unsafe products, including counterfeit or misdescribed jewellery.
- Ensure REACH and GPSR product compliance, particularly for nickel release, lead, cadmium, and other restricted substances.
- Protect consumers from poor quality or unsafe goods.
- Provide training and upskilling to ensure officers are equipped to identify hallmarking and compliance breaches.
- Partner with independent, impartial experts to support investigations and prosecutions.
How Birmingham Assay Office supports you...
Hallmarking & Enforcement Support
- Expert analysis and verification of precious metal articles to confirm compliance with the Hallmarking Act.
- Independent hallmarking checks to support investigations and evidence collection.
- Access to Birmingham Assay Office’s unique heritage expertise in hallmarking enforcement.
Analytical Testing & Product Safety
- UKAS-accredited laboratory testing for precious metal content and purity.
- REACH Regulation testing for nickel release, lead, cadmium, and other restricted substances.
- GPSR compliance checks to ensure products are safe for consumers.
- Independent reporting that can be used in enforcement cases or prosecutions.
Training & Education
- Specialist training for Trading Standards officers on hallmarking law, product safety, and how to identify non-compliant goods.
- Practical workshops on hallmarking recognition and counterfeit detection.
- Bespoke training tailored to local authority needs.
Consumer Protection & Market Integrity
- Helping Trading Standards ensure consumers are protected from fraud, misrepresentation, and unsafe products.
- Supporting fair competition by holding businesses accountable to UK and EU regulations.
- Strengthening public confidence in both the jewellery market and enforcement authorities.
to find out how our partnership can support your enforcement work.
Why choose Birmingham Assay Office?
- Heritage Authority – Over 250 years supporting UK law enforcement on hallmarking and consumer protection.
- Independent & Impartial – Trusted UKAS-accredited testing and expert evidence.
- Training & Knowledge – Practical training tailored to Trading Standards officers and enforcement teams.
- Consumer First – Services designed to protect the public and support regulators.
- Partnership Approach – Working hand-in-hand with local authorities, regulators, and government agencies.
“Birmingham Assay Office has been an invaluable partner. Their hallmarking expertise, product testing, and training have strengthened our ability to protect consumers and take effective enforcement action.“
Representative from
Trading standards
Contact us
Birmingham Assay office
0121 820 0773
Address
1 Moreton St, Birmingham, B1 3AX