posted 03-15-2009 01:23 PM            

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[<gone from the internet> .cb-bc.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/01528.html]
Canadian Minimum Quality Silver Electroplate Standards

Minimum Quality Silver Plated Flatware

A Silver Plated Flatware Article is a flatware 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 Silver Plated flatware article of minimum .925 quality.
* A Gold Plated flatware article of minimum 10K quality .
* A Base Metal Nickel flatware article containing an alloy composed of pure nickel and a base metal .

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

* "gold electroplate".
* "gold plated".
* "G.E.P.".
* Electroplaque d'or.
* "or plaqué".

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

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.".

Additional Quality Marks for Silver Plated Flatware

Additional quality marks may also be applied to flatware articles. These quality marks are based on two criteria, first, the amount of silver of a minimum .925 quality used as primary plating on a gross of teaspoons of the same size and design, and, second, the amount of silver in the overlay (that part of a piece of flatware to which is added extra silver at the point of greatest wear).

If the amount of silver used as primary plating is 60 grams, the flatware article may be marked:

* "A.I.".

If the amount of silver used as primary plating is 60 grams, and the amount of silver in the overlay is 65 milligrams, the flatware article may be marked:

* "A.I.X.".
* "A.I.+".
* "A.I. EXTRA".

If the amount of silver used as primary plating is 120 grams, and the amount of silver in the overlay is 100 milligrams, the flatware article may be marked:

* "A.A.+".
* "A.A.I.+".
* "A.A.I. EXTRA".

If the amount of silver used as primary plating is 180 grams, the flatware article may be marked:

* "TRIPLE PLATE".
* "TRIPLE PLACAGE".

If the amount of silver used as primary plating is 240 grams, the flatware article may be marked:

* "QUADRUPLE".
* "XXXX".

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:

Canadian Intellectual Property Office
The Registrar of Trademarks
Industry Canada
Place du Portage, Phase I
50 Victoria St.
Hull, Quebec K1A 0C9
Tel: (819) 997-1936

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.

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