November 2025: Key Standards Released for Jewellery and Horology Quality

The release of new international standards in November 2025 marks a pivotal moment for professionals in jewellery and precision horology. Two internationally recognized specifications—covering precious metal analysis and chemical compliance in wrist-watch manufacturing—promise to elevate quality, transparency, and global market access across the sector. For quality managers, compliance professionals, engineers, and researchers, understanding these updates is essential to maintain competitiveness, meet regulatory requirements, and inspire consumer trust.

Overview / Introduction

Precision jewellery making and horology are at the forefront of technological sophistication and artistry. Whether manufacturing intricate jewellery pieces or innovating luxury wrist-watches, businesses must adhere to stringent standards on composition, safety, and regulatory compliance. Standardization in this field enables:

• Consistent product quality across markets
• Objective assessment of precious metal content
• Compliance with evolving international regulations
• Enhanced consumer safety and product confidence

In November 2025, two new standards have been published: ISO 19919:2025, concerning an advanced analytical method for silver determination, and ISO 16359:2025, which harmonizes practices for demonstrating chemical compliance of wrist-watches. This article delves into the scope, requirements, and practical consequences of each, providing essential information for professionals throughout the precision mechanics and jewellery industries.

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 19919:2025 - Determination of Silver in Jewellery and Precious Metals

Jewellery and precious metals – Determination of silver – ICP-OES method using an internal standard element

ISO 19919:2025 introduces a sophisticated analytical method for determining the silver content in homogeneous jewellery materials and precious metal alloys. It leverages Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) with an internal standard element, ensuring unparalleled accuracy and consistency. The method is optimized for samples with silver content between 50 ‰ and 990 ‰ (parts per thousand), but it can analyze lower concentrations as well.

Scope and Key Requirements:

• Applicable Materials: Homogeneous precious metals, especially silver alloys used in jewellery.
• Optimal Range: 50–990 ‰ silver content.
• Above 990 ‰: Fineness above this threshold should use alternate spectroscopy methods per ISO 15096.
• Analytical Process: Samples are prepared through dissolution in nitric acid, precipitation with hydrochloric acid, and remixed with a precisely measured internal standard (such as yttrium, scandium, or indium). Calibration and result calculation use the bracketing method for highest repeatability.
• Safety Compliance: Emphasizes laboratory best practices and rigorous reagent specifications.
• Precision Equipment: Laboratories must use ICP-OES instruments with a minimum 0.02 nm optical resolution.

Who Needs to Comply:

• Jewellery manufacturers and refiners
• Precious metal assay offices and laboratories
• Regulatory authorities overseeing hallmarking and product certification
• Quality assurance and R&D departments in precious metal industries

Implementation Implications:

Adopting ISO 19919:2025 enables organizations to produce accurate, reproducible results that are recognized worldwide, reducing disputes and enhancing trade confidence. By relying on internal standards and bracketing, the method mitigates instrument drift and matrix interference, supporting robust assay processes even in high-throughput labs.

Notable Changes:

• Recent introduction (first edition) consolidates best practices for silver determination and aligns with global quality management systems.
• Replaces or supplements older, less precise wet-chemistry or fire assay methods for silver quantification.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive method for silver quantification in homogeneous materials
• Improved accuracy through internal standardization and bracketing
• Supports regulatory compliance and certification worldwide

Access the full standard: View ISO 19919:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 16359:2025 - Chemical Regulatory Compliance for Wrist-Watches

Horology – Harmonized practices to demonstrate chemical regulatory compliance of wrist-watches

ISO 16359:2025 is a landmark standard that brings clarity and cohesion to the process of chemical regulatory compliance for wrist-watches. Recognizing the fragmented and frequently evolving landscape of chemical safety regulations, this specification proposes harmonized practices for documenting, testing, and demonstrating compliance, irrespective of where the wrist-watches are manufactured or marketed.

Scope and Key Requirements:

• Global Reach: Applies to all wrist-watch manufacturers, importers, and brand owners, covering both the watch head and bands.
• Documentation: Establishes rigorous requirements for technical documentation, including material safety data sheets, test reports, and casting certificates, compiled into a comprehensive compliance technical folder.
• Testing Protocols: Specifies laboratory test methodologies and conditions for chemical hazard assessments according to international product legislation.
• Self-Declaration of Conformity: Requires manufacturers and economic operators to produce detailed self-declarations in line with best regulatory practices, supporting market surveillance and audit.
• Evaluation Procedures: Outlines a systematic approach for information evaluation, ensuring transparency and traceability.

Who Needs to Comply:

• Watch manufacturers (OEMs and ODMs)
• Brand owners and authorized representatives
• Distributors, importers, and retailers of wrist-watches globally
• Regulatory authorities for consumer safety

Implementation Implications:

Adoption of ISO 16359:2025 helps organizations proactively demonstrate compliance with chemical safety regulations, such as RoHS, REACH, and equivalent global mandates. It reduces regulatory risk and streamlines market access by ensuring all compliance evidence is well-documented and auditable. For new or revised regulations, regulators can use the standard's harmonized practices to ensure consistent enforcement.

Notable Changes:

• First global standard to unify chemical compliance demonstration for wrist-watches across diverse regulatory regimes.
• Reduces reliance on fragmented national guidance, fostering a level playing field for international trade.

Key highlights:

• Defines harmonized documentation and testing protocols for compliance
• Simplifies market access by proving chemical safety of wrist-watches
• Supports both regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders

Access the full standard: View ISO 16359:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The publication of these standards will significantly influence jewellery and wrist-watch supply chains, from raw material sourcing and manufacturing to quality assurance and market access.

Impact on Businesses

• Risk Reduction: Adopting precise analytical methods and uniform documentation reduces the risk of failed audits, product recalls, and market rejections.
• Global Trade Enablement: Internationally harmonized specifications facilitate easier movement of goods across borders, especially in regions with strict chemical compliance requirements.
• Competitive Differentiation: Early compliance signifies commitment to product quality and consumer safety—an advantage in premium segments.

Compliance Considerations

• Mandatory for Exporters: Firms targeting international markets (especially the EU, US, and Japan) must implement these methods to satisfy customs and market surveillance authorities.
• Transition Timelines: Organizations should immediately review and update internal procedures, technical dossiers, and laboratory protocols to align with the new standards.
• Training and Communication: Quality and compliance teams should undergo training on the revised methods and documentation requirements.

Benefits of Adoption

• Greater accuracy in silver assay and traceability in material composition
• Simplified regulatory compliance for watches and precious metal products
• Enhanced consumer safety and trust
• Reduced liability and regulatory penalties

Risks of Non-Compliance

• Delays in product certification and market entry
• Fines, recalls, or other enforcement action by authorities
• Reputational damage and loss of consumer confidence

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements

• Both standards demand robust analytical infrastructure: precision balances, advanced spectrometry, and laboratory-grade reagents and consumables.
• Consistent calibration and validation processes are fundamental to ensuring reliable, repeatable results.
• Documentation is paramount: test reports, calibration records, and compliance technical folders must be meticulously maintained and safeguarded for audits.

Best Practices for Implementation

1. Establish Internal Protocols: Develop or update SOPs in line with the new standards.
2. Staff Training: Ensure analysts and compliance managers understand all new requirements, especially around sampling and reporting.
3. Supplier Engagement: Communicate the changes down the supply chain and require upstream partners to provide conformant materials and data.
4. Leverage Technology: Utilize digital lab notebooks, compliance software, and automated documentation tools to manage evidence.

Testing and Certification Considerations

• Interlaboratory Testing: Participation in proficiency tests or ring trials can help verify accuracy and build trust with customers and regulators.
• Accreditation: Certification to ISO/IEC 17025 for testing labs is strongly recommended for credibility.
• Traceability: Maintain clear records for all assays and compliance checks, ensuring traceability back to raw samples and batch numbers.

Conclusion / Next Steps

In a fast-evolving landscape of global trade and consumer expectations, up-to-date knowledge of standards is a business-critical asset in jewellery and precision horology. The November 2025 issuance of ISO 19919:2025 and ISO 16359:2025 presents significant opportunities for stakeholders to:

• Cement quality assurance processes
• Reduce liability
• Foster confidence among regulators and consumers

Recommendations:

• Review and integrate these standards into organizational practices without delay
• Leverage guidance provided to streamline compliance and certification
• Stay abreast of future standards developments by subscribing to authoritative updates

For direct access, further technical details, or to purchase these standards for your organization, explore the latest releases on iTeh Standards.

Stay informed, stay compliant—and position your business for excellence in the precision mechanics and jewellery sector.