A hollow ware article which meets the composition requirement for Base Metal Nickel may be marked:

• "nickel-silver"
• "nickel-argent"
• "N.S."

A hollow ware article which meets the composition requirement for Britannia Hollow Ware may be marked:

• "Britannia Metal"
• "Metal Anglais"
• "White Metal"
• "Metal Blanc"
• "W.M."
• "B.M."

A quality mark may be applied to a precious metal article by any method.

Where a quality mark is stamped, branded, engraved or imprinted on a precious metal article, any trademark on the article must be applied by the same method.

A Base Metal Nickel Hollow Ware Article is an article whose base metal is an alloy containing pure nickel.

In order to qualify for a Base Metal Nickel quality mark, the base metal of the hollow ware article must contain 10 percent or more by weight of pure nickel.

A Britannia Metal Hollow Ware Article is an article whose base metal is an alloy containing tin.

In order to qualify for a Britannia Metal quality mark, the base metal of the hollow ware article must contain 90 percent or more by weight of pure tin.

A Gold Plated Hollow Ware Article is an article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of gold is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Gold Plate quality mark, the article must have applied to it, gold plating of minimum 10K quality.

A Sheffield Reproduction Hollow Ware Article is an article composed of a base metal of either nickel or copper.

In order to qualify for a Sheffield Reproduction quality mark, the borders of the article must be soldered, and the border plus any mounts must be composed of silver, nickel, or copper of minimum .925 quality.

A Silver Plated Hollow Ware Article is an article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of silver is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process, or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Silver Plate quality mark, the article must have applied to it, silver plating of minimum .925 quality.

Marks other than quality marks or trademarks may be applied to precious metal articles, such as:

• numerals intended to identify the article or pattern which are not calculated to mislead or deceive;
• the name or initials of a dealer, provided it will not be confused with a quality mark; and
• any other mark not calculated to mislead or deceive.

These articles have no legal tolerances provided:

• A Gold Plated hollow ware article of minimum 10K quality
• A Silver Plated hollow ware article of minimum .925 quality
• A Sheffield Reproduction hollow ware article
• A Base Metal Nickel hollow ware article
• A Britannia Metal hollow ware article

An article which meets the quality requirement for Gold Plate may be marked:

• "gold electroplate"
• "electroplaqué d'or"
• "gold plated"
• "or plaqué"
• "G.E.P."

The thickness of the gold plating may be indicated in micrometres (µm) so long as such thickness is 1 or more micrometres. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers only.

Note that the name of the base substance to which the gold plate is applied must be stamped, branded, engraved, or imprinted on the article in a legible and conspicuous manner. Where 10 percent or more by weight of the base metal in an article of hollow ware is pure nickel, such base metal may be identified with the following expressions:

• "nickel-silver"
• "nickel-argent"
• "N.S."

Where 90 percent or more by weight of the base metal in an article of hollow ware is tin, such base metal may be identified with the following expressions:

• "britannia metal"
• "métal anglais"
• "white metal"
• "métal blanc"
• "B.M."
• "W.M."

A hollow ware article which meets the quality requirement for Sheffield Reproduction may be marked:

• "Sheffield Reproduction"
• "reproduction of Sheffield plate"

An article which meets the quality requirement for Silver Plate may be marked:

• "silverplate"
• "placage d'argent"
• "silverplated"
• "plaqué d'argent"
• "silverware"
• "argenterie"
• "S.P."
• "E.P."

The thickness of the silver plating may be indicated in micrometres (µm) so long as such thickness is 1 or more micrometres. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers only.

Note that the name of the base substance to which the silver plate is applied must be stamped, branded, engraved, or imprinted on the article in a legible and conspicuous manner. Where 10 percent or more by weight of the base metal in an article of hollow ware is pure nickel, such base metal may be identified by the following expressions:

• "nickel-silver"
• "nickel-argent"
• "N.S."

Where 90 percent or more by weight of the base metal in an article of hollow ware is tin, such base metal may be identified with the following expressions:

• "britannia metal"
• "métal anglais"
• "white metal"
• "métal blanc"
• "B.M."
• "W.M."

With two exceptions, where a quality mark is applied to a precious metal article, the article must also bear a Canadian trademark which either is:

• currently registered with the Registrar of Trademarks in Canada; or
• in the process of being registered, with proof that a trademark application has been submitted which is acceptable to a minister.

For more information, including the publication, "A Guide To Trademarks", as well as an application form for a trademark, all correspondence should be addressed to:

An article which has a quality mark does not require a Canadian trademark if:

• the article is hallmarked in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom; or
• the article was quality marked in a foreign country under the laws of that country, and is accompanied with a government mark of that country which is recognized by the Department of Industry Canada.