Government Commitment to Hallmarking Confirmed Despite Abolishment of BHC
Published: 21st October 2025
Sheffield Assay Office CEO & Assay Master, Ashley Carson, has today confirmed the announcement by Business Secretary, Peter Kyle, that the Government is committed to the essential role of Hallmarking but that the British Hallmarking Council is to be abolished.
"The UK government announced back in March 2025 that it will 'commence a review into the British Hallmarking Council (BHC) which will look at the role, remit and governance of the BHC, including options to merge, abolish or reform it.'
The BHC is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the department for Business & Trade.
Today, Business Secretary Peter Kyle has announced plans to abolish the British Hallmarking Council (BHC), with its functions set to be absorbed into the Department for Business and Trade as part of the government’s 'blitz on business bureaucracy.'
The Government has however, recognised that Hallmarking remains an important part of the UK’s consumer protection and trade systems and the UK Assay Offices will play a major role in shaping the next stages of this process.
The BHC have confirmed that until new legislation is passed, it will continue to carry out its statutory duties in full, ensuring there is no immediate impact to its operations."
The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.
To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us ,
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