I hope pretty much everyone has seen this -

http://www.redtapechallenge.cabineto...k/hallmarking/

In a nutshell, the suggestion is that the hallmarking legislation be rationalised or removed altogether in the interest of removing red tape. Comments are invited.

Personally, I'd far sooner the laws were kept - they're part & parcel of the history of the craft after all, and guarantee to our customers that what they're getting really is what it claims to be...