GPSR Testing
for Jewellery, Watches & Accessories
UKAS-accredited GPSR compliance testing for UK businesses. AnchorCert Protect — our proprietary test — covers nickel release, lead, cadmium and 16 allergenic metals in a single programme.
- UKAS Accredited
- ISO/IEC 17025.
- BESPOKE PROGRAMMES
- Practical support.
- Jewellery Specalists
- Wearables & precious metals.
- 250+ Years of Trust
- Established in 1773.
What General Product Safety Regulations Mean for Your Business
The EU General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 has applied since 13 December 2024. It requires consumer products placed on the EU market to be safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use.
For businesses selling into the EU or Northern Ireland, this means having documented evidence of a robust testing programme, clear product traceability information, and if based outside the EU, an EU Responsible Person in place.
Birmingham Assay Office provides independent, UKAS-accredited testing to help brands, retailers, manufacturers and importers build the compliance evidence they need under GPSR – before products reach the market.
What Businesses Must Demonstrate:
EVIDENCE OF TESTING
A documented programme showing products have been assessed for safety risks.
PRODUCT TRACEABILITY
Clear information allowing products to be traced through the supply chain.
CLEAR LABELLING
Prominent safety warnings must be legible and easy to understand and labelling must include product identification.
EU RESPONSIBLE PERSON
Required if based outside the EU; holds compliance documentation and liaises with authorities.
ONGOING DUE DILIGENCE
Testing is not a one-time exercise, your compliance testing programme should align with your production output.
We can advise on testing frequency and connect you with an EU Responsible Person where required.
AnchorCert Protect:
Our proprietary, UKAS-accredited test that supports GPSR compliance requirements.
AnchorCert Protect is the most comprehensive jewellery compliance test available in the UK. Developed by Birmingham Assay Office, it tests for 16 allergens including nickel release, as well as toxic lead content and cadmium content, supporting both REACH and GPSR requirements in a single programme. AnchorCert Protect reduces cost, turnaround time, and administrative complexity for businesses of all sizes.
What AnchorCert Protect covers:
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Nickel release testing
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Lead content — restricted substance screening
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Cadmium content — alloys, coatings & components
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16-metal hypoallergenic screen (incl. Cr, Co, Cu, Pd, Au)
GPSR Compliance Testing Services
Full nickel release testing from £125 per item. Lead and cadmium testing from £75. AnchorCert Protect testing from £249.
Our testing services are priced individually or as part of a programme. Contact us for a tailored quote based on your product range and testing requirements.
Nickel Release Testing
Testing to determine whether products intended for direct and prolonged skin contact release nickel above permitted limits.
Lead & Cadmium Content
Restricted substance screening for alloys, components and coatings to ensure they are free from harmful levels of lead and cadmium.
Material & Coating Assessment
Platings, coatings, solders, paints and surface finishes assessed for restricted substances and safety concerns under General Product Safety Regulation and REACH requirements.
Product Safety Risk Assessment
Test results forming part of a wider product safety assessment, helping businesses document the steps taken to ensure products are safe before EU market placement.
Multi-territory Testing
Selling across multiple markets? Our testing programme can be designed to satisfy requirements for the UK, EU and US market standards simultaneously from a single programme.
AnchorCert Protect:
Our most comprehensive test, UKAS-accredited and unique. Tests for 16 allergens as well as nickel release and lead and cadmium content.
The Consequences of Non-Compliance
Proactive GPSR compliance testing helps identify issues before they can reach the consumer.
The risks of non-compliance are significant and growing as enforcement increases.
PRODUCT RECALLS
Unsafe products already on the market may require costly recall programmes.
PRODUCT WITHDRAWALS
Products may be required to be removed from sale before reaching consumers.
RETAILER DELISTING
Major retailers increasingly require GPSR compliance evidence before stocking.
BORDER SEIZURES
Non-compliant products entering the EU or UK may be seized by customs authorities.
TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATIONS
Businesses selling non-compliant products to consumers may face enforcement action.
PENALTIES & REPUTATIONAL DAMAGE
The cost of enforcement, recalls and brand damage far exceeds the cost of proactive testing.
Why Choose Birmingham Assay Office?
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UKAS-ACCREDITED LABORATORY ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation gives clients confidence in the reliability and legal standing of all test results.
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JEWELLERY & WEARABLES SPECIALIST Deep expertise in precious metals, coatings, alloys and the materials found in jewellery and fashion accessories.
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BRANDS, RETAILERS & IMPORTERS We work across the supply chain — independent designers through to major retailers and marketplace operators.
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ANCHORCERT PROTECT: PROPRIETARY TEST Our all-in-one compliance programme supports GPSR and REACH requirements in a single UKAS-accredited test.
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PRACTICAL COMPLIANCE SUPPORT Clear audit-ready reports, guidance on testing frequency, and EU Responsible Person referrals available.
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MULTI-TERRITORY CAPABILITY Bespoke testing programmes available, designed to satisfy UK, EU and US market requirements as needed.
GPSR Compliance Testing Services
Our testing services are priced individually or as part of a programme.
Contact us for a tailored quote based on your product range and testing requirements.
Nickel Release
Testing
EN 1811 + A1:2015
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Jewellery & accessories
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Watch cases & straps
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Fasteners & clasps
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Full UKAS test report
AnchorCert
Protect
Full GPSR & REACH coverage
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Nickel release - EN1811+A1:2015
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Lead & cadmium screening
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16-metal hypoallergenic screen
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REACH Annex VXII compliance
Lead & Cadmium
Testing
REACH Annex XVII
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Alloy & component testing
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Surface coating analysis
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Imported product screening
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REACH-aligned reporting
NOT SURE WHICH
TEST YOU NEED?
We’ll assess your products and recommend the right programme for your market and product range.
We’ll typically respond to your message within one working day.
FAQs
Does GPSR apply to jewellery?
Yes. Jewellery sold to consumers must be safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Testing identifies risks linked to metals, coatings, platings and restricted substances such as nickel, lead and cadmium. AnchorCert Protect supports GPSR requirements for jewellery in a single UKAS-accredited test programme.
What is AnchorCert Protect?
AnchorCert Protect is Birmingham Assay Office’s proprietary test, accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by UKAS (Laboratory No. 0126). It covers nickel release, lead and cadmium content, and screening for 16 allergenic metals.
Read more about AnchorCert Protect here.
What is the difference between GPSR and REACH?
Is GPSR testing mandatory?
What happens if a product fails GPSR testing?
Do I need an EU Responsible Person?
Who is responsible for GPSR compliance?
Ready to protect your business & your customers?
