Other marks and markings

Articles of precious metals may also bear other marks as long as they do not resemble mandatory or voluntary marks to the extent of being misleading. They may not give the consumer a mistaken idea of the article. Articles of precious metals may also have marks used in other countries, as long as they do not mislead consumers.

Foreign responsibility marks and hallmarks

You can import into Finland articles that already bear a responsibility mark registered in another country. However, the responsibility mark may not mislead Finnish consumers, and you may have to remove the original responsibility mark from articles if, for example, the mark is already in use in Finland. The seller of an article of precious metal is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the foreign marks on the article do not interfere with the traceability of the responsible party.

Before you place articles on the market, they must bear the mandatory marks: a fineness mark and a responsibility mark registered with Tukes or an Assay Office Mark. If the article has already been marked with an Assay Office Mark in the country of origin, a responsibility mark approved by Tukes is usually not required, and the original responsibility mark is not misleading. Articles with a CMM mark can also be sold in Finland without other marks.

Use of marks in products other than articles of precious metals

Products made of base metals or other materials may not have markings used in articles of precious metals, or even marks misleadingly similar to them. This rule has one exception: the responsibility mark used in articles of precious metals. A responsibility mark can be used onsuch as bronze jewellery, pewter and plastic bags with a clear indication of the product not being an article of precious metal. However, a responsibility mark cannot be used onproducts that couldbe mistaken for articles of precious metals for example based on their colour.

Replacing the mark with a certificate

The following have the right to replace compulsory marks with a written certificate:

• Finnish Customs
• the National Enforcement Authority
• an auction house
• a pawnbroker
• a bankruptcy estate, or the estate of a person who is deceased
• an assay office, if marking would damage the article or reduce its value.

The content of the article is recorded on the certificate based on analysis. The content must be determined using a reliable method, such as X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, cupellation or potentiometric titration.