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Precious metals

The Norwegian Metrology Service supervises that items marketed as gold, silver and platinum are marked with a valid responsibility mark and an approved fineness. This means that the Norwegian Metrology Service will carry out inspections at points of sale.

A guide is available that explains in more detail what the regulations mean for you as a dealer. (In Norwegian)

Statutory supervision

The Norwegian Metrology Service performs market surveillance on a random basis and checks whether:

  • items are stamped with fineness and responsibility marks
  • fineness standards comply with the legal requirements
  • responsibility marks are registered with the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (Patentstyret), or notified to the Norwegian Metrology Service if the item is imported from an EEA country
  • the fineness of the item corresponds to the fineness stamp on the item

In addition, the Norwegian Metrology Service may take samples of items to analyse the precious metal content. After analysis, the items are returned, except for any parts lost during the process. The person subject to such control cannot demand compensation for losses or costs incurred during the inspection.

Hallmarking – CCM mark

The Norwegian Metrology Service has been designated as the national assay office in Norway under the Hallmarking Convention. As the national assay office, it is responsible for verifying fineness and the correct use of the CCM mark in accordance with the convention and relevant provisions/guidelines.

Requirements for responsibility mark

Precious metal items must bear a fineness stamp showing the content of precious metal in thousandths. A responsibility mark identifies the party responsible for ensuring that the fineness of the item corresponds to the fineness mark stamped on it. The responsibility mark must therefore be registered.

Where is the responsibility mark registered?

According to Sections 4 and 5 of the Precious Metals Act, “items marketed or sold as items of precious metal” must be stamped with both a fineness mark and a responsibility mark. Section 5 of the Act further requires that the responsibility mark be registered with the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (Patentstyret). To register a responsibility mark, contact Patentstyret.
If the item is imported from an EEA state and marked in accordance with that country’s legislation, the responsibility mark does not need to be registered with Patentstyret. Instead, the item’s responsibility mark must be notified to the Norwegian Metrology Service before the item is marketed, together with a copy of the registration document from the relevant EEA state.

The Norwegian Metrology Service finds that the most common deviation is missing or unregistered responsibility marks. This accounts for an average of over 85% of all items with deviations.

Some tips to avoid deviations due to missing or unregistered responsibility marks

  • Check that precious metal items you sell have both fineness and responsibility marks
  • Ask the supplier/manufacturer for documentation showing that the responsibility mark is registered. If the responsibility mark is registered in Norway, registration documents can be found on Patentstyret’s website
  • Registration of a responsibility mark must still be valid when the item is sold. Familiarise yourself with Patentstyret’s rules on the validity of registrations
  • If the responsibility mark is registered in an EEA state, ask the supplier/manufacturer to provide the registration document from the relevant EEA state. The item stamped with a responsibility mark registered in an EEA state must also comply with that country’s legislation. Therefore, familiarise yourself with the requirements for precious metal items in the relevant EEA country, or contact the Norwegian Metrology Service
  • The supplier/manufacturer must have sent a copy of the registration document to the Norwegian Metrology Service before items with the relevant responsibility mark are marketed in Norway
  • Note: Switzerland is not an EEA country. Swiss responsibility marks must be registered either with Patentstyret or with the competent institution for registration of responsibility marks in an EEA country. Remember to send registration documentation to the Norwegian Metrology Service before the items are marketed in Norway
  • Keep a copy of the registration documents at the point of sale to present in the event of an inspection

 

Scales for weighing precious metals

During inspections, the Norwegian Metrology Service will assess whether the scale is suitable for its intended use. Justervesenet will assess whether the scale has sufficient resolution for the items being weighed. A scale with 1 g resolution will normally not be considered suitable for weighing objects under 20 g. In most cases, scales used for weighing small amounts of precious metals will have a resolution of 0.01 g or better.

For scales that are moved from place to place, there must be routines and functions to ensure that the scale shows the correct value at the place of use. In practice, this means that such scales must have an internal calibration weight that can be activated after moving, and that the setup and surface are appropriate.

Do you need documented verification of your measuring instruments – at a time that suits you?

The Norwegian Metrology Service offers on-request verification as one of our services. As a neutral third party, we can carry out verification and in-use inspections and issue documentation. We have the equipment and expertise to help your enterprise meet the requirements for measurements.

See our services

Frequently asked questions

How are summons, decisions and receipts from the Norwegian Metrology Service sent?


In connection with supervision of measuring instruments, the Norwegian Metrology Service sends summons, decisions and receipts digitally via Altinn. This follows from the Digitalisation Circular (Digitaliseringsrundskrivet), which requires businesses to receive digital correspondence from public authorities.

How do I find correspondence from the Norwegian Metrology Service in Altinn?
  1. Select the correct enterprise/profile when logging in to Altinn, in the top right corner.
  2. Check that you have the role “Post/Archive” for the enterprise you represent.
  3. Look in folders such as “Archived” and “Deleted messages” – the correspondence may have been moved.
  4. If you still cannot find the correspondence, contact Altinn user service:
    • Telephone: 75 00 60 00
    • www.altinn.no
Why is supervision of precious metals conducted?


To ensure that consumers receive the correct quality when purchasing goods made of precious metals. This includes verifying that the fineness corresponds with the hallmark and that the items bear the manufacturer’s responsibility mark.

Does supervision involve costs?


Many of the Norwegian Metrology Service’s supervision areas are financed via annual fees paid by the relevant industry. Other actors will receive an invoice after supervision. You can find pricing information here.

Which measuring instruments are subject to supervision?


All measuring instruments used for financial settlement in trade and industry – for example, scales, fuel dispensers, and water meters – are subject to supervision.

What must I do after a supervision?


If nonconformities are found, you will receive guidance on what must be corrected, a deadline for remediation, and information on any fees.

What happens during a supervision?


Supervision may involve checking the measuring instrument or the measurement process, providing information on correct use, and guidance on the regulations. After supervision, the enterprise receives a report or a decision.

Why does the Norwegian Metrology Service carry out supervision of measuring instruments?


Supervision ensures that measuring instruments used in trade and industry provide correct and fair measurements – for the benefit of both consumers and businesses.

 

Phone:
64 84 84 84

E-mail:
postmottak@justervesenet.no

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