Jewellery Testing Standards Advance with ED-XRF: March 2026 Release

March 2026 brings a significant development for quality assurance in the jewellery and precious metals industry: the publication of EN ISO 23345:2026, a cutting-edge international standard for non-destructive precious metal fineness confirmation using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF). This update introduces a harmonized, reliable approach to verifying the content of precious metals—such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium—within finished and semi-finished jewellery items. Industry professionals, laboratory technicians, and compliance managers can now rely on a standardized procedure, helping to ensure product consistency, consumer trust, and global market acceptance.

Overview / Introduction

The jewellery and precious metals sector is synonymous with precision and quality. Guaranteeing the fineness—the actual content of gold, silver, platinum, or other precious metals—in jewellery directly impacts value, customer confidence, and regulatory compliance. With recent advancements in non-destructive testing methodologies, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) has emerged as a preferred technology for accurate, fast, and reliable fineness testing without damaging valuable items.

The publication of EN ISO 23345:2026 as a European and international standard marks a major milestone. For the first time, the industry has clear, harmonized guidelines for non-destructive fineness confirmation by ED-XRF. This article offers a deep dive into the new standard, highlights its technical and compliance implications, and provides actionable guidance for industry adoption.

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN ISO 23345:2026 - Non-Destructive Fineness Confirmation in Jewellery

Jewellery and precious metals – Non destructive precious metal fineness confirmation by ED-XRF (ISO 23345:2021)

EN ISO 23345:2026 establishes the technical and procedural requirements for confirming the fineness (purity) of precious metals in jewellery using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF). The standard applies to finished and semifinished items considered homogeneous—meaning their composition is consistent throughout. It does not cover plated or coated items, nor does it allow the use of wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) equipment within this scope.

Scope and Applicability:

Applicable to alloys defined in ISO 9202 (including gold, silver, palladium, platinum)
For finished and semifinished jewellery or precious metal items deemed homogeneous
Excludes items with external coatings or surface treatments

Key Requirements and Specifications:

Calibration: Calibration procedures must be performed using certified reference materials to ensure measurement accuracy.
Verification: Regular verification of the ED-XRF system against standard reference materials is required to maintain instrument integrity and result reliability.
Sample Preparation: Specifies cleaning and preparation steps to ensure accurate ED-XRF readings, minimizing contamination or surface interference.
Analysis Procedure: Clear steps for positioning, measurement, and data capture using ED-XRF, including operator training and environmental considerations like ambient X-ray background.
Calculation and Reporting: Requirements for calculating fineness, determining uncertainty, and formulating standardized test reports.

Target Users:

Precious metal assay offices
Jewellery manufacturers and exporters
Third-party quality assurance laboratories
Retailers and procurement professionals involved in precious metals

Practical Implications:

Supports market transparency and comparability—test results based on a harmonized, internationally recognized protocol
Facilitates regulatory compliance and consumer protection by reducing the risk of inaccurate or fraudulent fineness claims
Enables broader adoption of non-destructive testing over traditional destructive assay methods, helping preserve valuable samples

Notable Changes:

Provides a dedicated, unified procedure for ED-XRF testing for the first time in global standards
Incorporates robust calibration and validation requirements, raising reliability across laboratories
Clarifies exclusions, especially regarding surface-coated articles and inappropriate equipment (WD-XRF)

Key highlights:

Standardizes non-destructive ED-XRF testing for homogenous jewellery items
Detailed calibration, verification, and reporting requirements for accuracy and reliability
Excludes coated/treated items and WD-XRF equipment for scope clarity

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 23345:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The introduction of EN ISO 23345:2026 sets a new benchmark for precious metal fineness verification. For jewellery manufacturers and assay laboratories, the standard delivers:

Reliability: Uniform methods reduce variance in results between laboratories and across borders.
Market Access: Adherence boosts confidence for importers, retailers, and certification bodies worldwide.
Consumer Protection: Clear substantiation of fineness claims deters fraudulent practices and upholds product value in the eyes of the customer.

Compliance Considerations & Timelines

The standard must be adopted as a national standard by CEN member states by September 2026 at the latest.
Companies should plan for staff training, equipment calibration, and revision of internal quality systems in line with the new requirements.
Non-compliant testing practices might soon face scrutiny or become non-accepted for international trade or legal warranty claims.

Benefits of Adoption

Enhanced reputation and trust for brands and laboratories
Streamlined customs and export processes where non-destructive testing is required
Reduced costs compared to destructive methods for both manufacturers and assay offices
Improved sustainability by minimizing waste in the testing process

Risks of Non-Compliance

Rejection of products in regulated markets
Legal disputes over fineness claims and consumer dissatisfaction
Increased costs due to repeated testing or compensatory measures

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements

Certified Reference Materials: Use of internationally recognized metals and alloys to calibrate and verify ED-XRF systems is mandatory for traceability and reproducibility.
Homogeneity Assurance: Only homogeneous jewellery pieces or semi-finished articles are suitable for ED-XRF analysis under this standard. Inhomogeneous or multi-material items may yield unreliable results.
Instrument Validation: Ongoing performance checks and maintenance logs are required, supporting traceable documentation for audits.

Implementation Best Practices

Staff Training: Operators must be familiar with both ED-XRF technology and the requirements of EN ISO 23345:2026, including equipment-specific nuances and potential pitfalls (e.g., surface contaminants).
Environmental Controls: Laboratories should adopt controls for dust, temperature, and humidity that can affect X-ray results.
Documentation: Detailed test reports—following the standard’s specified template—support transparency and defensibility in quality assurance and regulatory submissions.
Cross-checking: Periodic checks with alternate assay methods may be advisable for quality assurance, especially when handling borderline cases.

Testing and Certification Considerations

Certification bodies and accreditation agencies may begin requiring EN ISO 23345:2026 compliance for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories conducting jewellery testing.
Procurement procedures should be updated to specify ED-XRF testing according to the new standard when evaluating suppliers or finished goods.

Conclusion / Next Steps

The publication of EN ISO 23345:2026 marks a transformative advancement in jewellery and precious metal testing. With harmonized, non-destructive ED-XRF methodologies now enshrined in international standards, the industry benefits from greater accuracy, reliability, and market integrity.

Key takeaways:

Adopt EN ISO 23345:2026 for consistent, non-destructive fineness verification
Update laboratory procedures and quality systems ahead of national adoption deadlines
Invest in training and calibration using certified reference materials
Specify compliance for procurement, quality assurance, and product certification activities

Recommended Actions:

Download and study the full standard via iTeh Standards
Audit existing laboratory practices to identify gaps
Communicate upcoming changes to relevant teams and partners
Engage with accreditation bodies regarding compliance

For deeper expertise and ongoing updates, visit iTeh Standards—your trusted source for all new and forthcoming developments in jewellery and precious metals testing.