The International Association of Assay Offices

1. Country: Finland

2. Summary of hallmarking system:

Statutory facultative system, where precious metal articles can be tested and hallmarked at assay offices, although articles can also be marked by producers. At least two marks are needed when an article is brought onto the Finnish market: a registered responsibility mark + a fineness mark or the assay office mark + a fineness mark.

3. Ministry responsible:

4. Contact Point for Hallmarking Information:

5. Other representative bodies:

6. Assay Offices:

7. Typical mark formation:

At least two marks are needed when an article is brought onto the Finnish market: a registered responsibility mark + a fineness mark or the assay office mark + a fineness mark.

Articles of precious metals containing a minimum of 1 gram of gold, platinum or palladium are subject to the mandatory markings. For silver products, the limit is 10 grams. The marking of articles whose precious metal content is below the weight limits is voluntary. Should any marks be used on them, they must include the fine­ness mark at the very least.

(i)         (A sponsor’s mark.) A responsibility mark

(ii)        A millesimal fineness mark.

(iii)       An assay office mark.

Example:

Voluntary marks are sometimes applied in addition to the compulsory marks above.  These include:

(iv)       A date mark http://www.tukes.fi/fi/Toimialat/Jalometallituotteet/vuosileima-avain/

(v)       A locality mark

Example:

8. Sponsor mark details:

The responsibility mark indicates the importer, manufacturer or seller who is responsible for the article and its conformity with requirements. The responsibility mark must be registered with Tukes.
Today, only capital letters are approved for the responsibility mark. Nevertheless, any responsibility mark registered before 2001 can be used – provided that the registration is conformed at regular intervals.

Example:

9. Finenesses accepted and fineness mark details:

• Gold

Hallmarking is required for gold articles above 1 g

• Silver

Hallmarking is required for silver articles above 10 g

• Platinum

Hallmarking is required for platinum articles above 0.5 g

Fineness (ppt)	Symbol	Traditional symbol
850
900
950
999

• Palladium

Hallmarking is required for palladium articles above 1 g

Fineness (ppt)	Symbol	Traditional symbol
500
850
950
999

• Other metals

An article of precious metals may consist of various metal parts. Generally, no other metal whose appearance and colour is similar to the relevant precious metal can be affixed to the article.
Should any parts made of other metals or materials be used, the parts which are not of the relevant precious metal subject to marking should be indicated with a per­manent marking, e.g. metal or another clear indication used for the metal or material. If the other parts cannot be marked for technical reasons, they must be clearly distinguishable from the relevant precious metal subject to marking and be visible (e.g. enamel and stones). If the product contains clearly distinguishable parts made of various precious metals, it is recommended that each of them be marked with its own fineness mark.

10. Hallmarks accepted from other countries:

(i)         Convention hallmarks

The Country is a signatory to The Vienna Convention on the Control and Marking of Articles of Precious Metals and thus accepts items bearing Convention hallmarks.

(ii)       National hallmarks – requirements

Finland accepts national hallmarks from other countries as part of the Houtwipper ruling.  The marks must be intelligible and equivalent.  The definition of equivalence essentially follows the guidelines outlined by the Hallmarking Convention.

(iii)       National hallmarks – EEA countries accepted

11. Other IAAO observers in country

None.