World Gold Council launches Gold Dealer Assurance Standard

Wed Aug 19 2026

The World Gold Council has launched the Gold Dealer Assurance Standard (GDAS) – a global framework designed to strengthen trust and transparency in the retail gold market.

The GDAS, developed in consultation with industry and with support from the British Standards Institution (BSI), is a set of globally recognised best practices for gold dealers.

Retail investors buy an estimated 1,200 tonnes of gold bars and coins each year, representing about 25% of global gold demand. Bar and coin demand reached a 12-year high in 2025, demonstrating the resilience of physical gold investment even amid record gold prices. However, World Gold Council research indicates that trust is one of the biggest barriers for investors considering gold.

If the industry adopts the new standard and assurance framework, it will help address this trust gap by giving investors greater confidence when buying gold and establishing a consistent benchmark for reputable dealers worldwide.

World Gold Council CEO David Tait said improving trust in gold is essential to maintaining strong demand across retail and all sectors of the market. He said GDAS is intended to establish, for the first time, a globally recognised benchmark for responsible business practices across the retail gold market.

He added that independent assurance against consistent standards could strengthen consumer confidence, support reputable dealers and raise standards across the industry.

BSI CE Susan Taylor Martin said the scheme would give investors greater confidence in the businesses they choose to buy from and help boost the global gold market. Assurance under the scheme will show that gold dealers have demonstrated a commitment to responsible business practices and putting customers first.

Further, BSI will launch the Gold Dealer Assurance Programme (GDAP) during this year, giving gold dealers and wholesalers the opportunity to be assessed against the standard.

Once the GDAP opens, independent accredited auditors will assess participating gold dealers across eight core areas, including fairness and integrity, regulatory compliance and responsible sourcing.

Dealers that successfully complete the voluntary assessment will demonstrate their commitment to high standards of governance, customer protection and responsible business practices.

BSI will independently operate the GDAP. It will conduct audits, make assurance decisions and award the GDAP trust mark to dealers that pass the audit. The audit programme is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter.

Source: https://www.miningweekly.com/