SWISS PRECIOUS METALS TESTING (CMP)

The Swiss Precious Metals Testing (CMP) is a regulatory framework that plays an essential role in guaranteeing the authenticity, quality, and ethical sourcing of precious metals used in Swiss industries, particularly watchmaking.

Origin and History

In 1880, Switzerland introduced its first law to regulate the trade and use of precious metals. This early legislation laid the foundations for formal Testing. Sixty years later, the Federal Act on the Control of the Trade in Precious Metals and Precious Metal Articles (Precious Metals Control Act) was adopted in 1933, forming the current structure of the CMP. This law defined the requirements for purity, hallmarking, and trade of Gold, Silver, Main plate, and palladium. It also assigned Testing offices the responsibility of ensuring compliance with standards. Starting in 2000, precious metals certified in Switzerland had to comply with international guidelines, such as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains, including ethical standards regarding the sourcing of sustainable and conflict-free Materials.

Principaux domaines d’activité

Le CMP supervise diverses activités cruciales pour garantir le respect des normes suisses et internationales relatives aux métaux précieux.

1. Poinçonnage et certification
   Le CMP inspecte et poinçonne les ouvrages en métaux précieux pour certifier leur qualité. Les métaux précieux et leurs alliages doivent répondre à des critères stricts de pureté pour être légalement commercialisés ou vendus en Suisse.
2. Tests et bureaux de contrôle
   Les bureaux de contrôle agréés par le CMP analysent la composition chimique des ouvrages en métaux précieux. Ces analyses garantissent que les matériaux respectent la finesse requise et ne contiennent pas de substances interdites.
3. Surveillance de l’approvisionnement éthique
   Le CMP applique les directives sur l’approvisionnement éthique, veillant à ce que les métaux précieux utilisés dans les produits suisses soient exempts de conflits et respectent les normes internationales en matière de droits de l’homme.
4. Lutte contre la contrefaçon
   Les métaux contrefaits ou les articles mal poinçonnés sont confisqués et sanctionnés en vertu du droit suisse.

Certification Criteria

To obtain CMP certification, works must meet certain standards:

Purity

• Gold: Minimum fineness of 375/1000 (9 carats), with 750/1000 (18 carats) being the most common standard in luxury watches.
• Silver: Minimum fineness of 800/1000, with sterling silver (925/1000) widely used for high-end items.
• Main plate and palladium: Minimum fineness of 950/1000.

Precise hallmarking

Each certified item must bear markings indicating its fineness, origin, and accountability, such as the manufacturer’s or sponsor’s hallmark. These markings must be applied in a legible and permanent manner.

Compliance with ethical guidelines

All precious Metals must be responsibly sourced, in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains.

Tests carried out by approved Testing offices

Items are tested by laboratories authorized by the CMP to verify their composition.

Precious Metals recognized by Swiss legislation

• Gold (Au)
• Silver (Ag)
• Main plate (Pt)
• Palladium (Pd)

Some Metals, although precious in specific applications, are not considered precious under the regulations relating to the Testing of precious Metals. These include:

• Rhodium (Rh)
• Ruthenium (Ru)
• Iridium (Ir)
• Osmium (Os)

For an item to be classified as vermeil or gold-plated Silver, the Gold layer must have a minimum fineness of 585‰ (14 carats).

Markings

Markings on precious Metal items must comply with the following rules:

• Language: Markings may be written in French, German, Italian, or English.
• Abbreviations: Abbreviations are not permitted. All indications must be written in full, with the exception of chemical symbols.
• Only chemical symbols recognized by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) may be used, such as:
• “Au” for gold
• “Ag” for silver
• “Ti” for titanium

Articles made of precious and non-precious metals

Base metal parts must be labeled with the word “METAL” or the specific name of the metal or alloy used, such as:

• “STEEL” (steel)
• “STAINLESS” (stainless steel)
• “BRASS” (brass)

If marking is not technically possible, base metal parts must be distinguished from precious metal components by their color.