Precious metal articles, multimetal articles and plated articles sold in Switzerland must bear a responsibility mark registered in Switzerland.
Besides the other designations prescribed by law (standards of fineness, designations for plated articles, etc.), precious metal, multimetal and plated articles have to bear a Responsibility Mark (RM) registered at the Central Office for Precious Metals Control.
One might compare the responsibility mark with a signature; by striking his mark the owner vouches for the accuracy of the article's composition and accepts the consequences of any further dispute.
The registration applies for a period of 20 years after the date of registration. The registration fee is CHF 800.00.
There are few binding provisions concerning the shape and the appearance of the RM; however it may not be confounded with official hallmarks, it should not be similar or identical to other already registered RMs, to registered trade marks or brand names, or to the abbreviations of international organizations.
In order to start the registration process, we kindly ask you to send us the following documents (by post or e-mail):
- Form for responsibility mark (DOCX, 65 kB, 26.02.2025) (duly filled in and signed)
- 1 reproduction of your mark, sharp and impeccable, in black and white, suitable for typographic reproduction (several proposals possible; numbered in the order of your preference; PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF)
- A certified extract of your registration in the commercial registry or, if you are not registered in the commercial registry, an official attestation of the seat of your company or of your workshop or domicile (the document must be less than 1 year old)
- The confirmation of your successful registration on the ePortal
After receiving the confirmation, the documents mentioned below are required for the final registration:
- A stamping plate (ideally made of brass) with the impressions / engravings of your mark (you will receive more detailed information about the dimensions of the stamps / engravings with the email confirmation)
- The registration fee of CHF 800.00 (Swiss francs) (for each mark)
The stamping plate (preferably brass or silver) has to be marked five times in different intensities with your steel stamp. If you do not apply the markings with a steel stamp but by laser engraving, please engrave all sizes on the plate, which will be used for your objects in the future.
The imprints of the steel stamp / the laser engravings have to correspond exactly to the submitted image in reduced form.
Black on the image means recessed on the object (impressed into the surface).
White on the image means embossed on the object (in relief).
In accordance with article 12 paragraph 1bis of the Precious Metals Control Act, the registration applies for a period of 20 years after the date of registration. Before expiry of this period, it may be extended for a further 20 years. The registration renewal fee is CHF 800.00.
Before the expiration date, the owners of a responsibility mark receive a reminder with the documents for the renewal. The responsibility mark can either be renewed for another 20 years or deleted from the register by means of a written notification (by post or e-mail).
The legal regulations do not permit a renewal of shorter period (less than 20 years). For responsibility mark owners, who stand shortly before the closing of their business, the possibility exists of selling their responsibility mark. In this case the owner change must be communicated to the Central Office.
