The Executive Council has concluded discussions on two major legislative proposals: the draft law entitled “Regime for the Trade of Gold and Platinum” and the draft administrative regulation amending the Regulation on the Administration, Operation and Supervision of Public Cemeteries. Both documents will be submitted to the Legislative Assembly for consideration.
The proposed law on the trade of gold and platinum addresses the need to update Law No. 1/2003 (Gold Trade Law), which has been in force for over 20 years and is now considered outdated in light of the sector’s evolution and consumers’ expectations regarding the quality and diversity of jewelry products.
According to the Government, the new regime aims to enhance the sector’s competitiveness and credibility, contributing to the consolidation of Macau as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and to the healthy development of the jewelry industry.
Developed following consultations with industry representatives and the Consumer Council, and taking into account legislative experiences from neighboring regions, the proposal introduces new definitions of platinum, gold-plated items, and gold-coated articles.
All gold and platinum items must bear a hallmark identifying their fineness, and all types of jewelry products must be properly marked in accordance with the law. Commercial establishments will be required to display notices indicating the fineness standards and to issue invoices or receipts containing mandatory information.
The draft law also provides for increased fines for administrative offences, strengthening supervision and consumer protection.
The Executive Council has also approved the draft administrative regulation amending Regulation No. 37/2003 concerning the administration, operation, and supervision of public cemeteries.
The goal is to optimize the management and use of public resources, in line with long-term urban development needs. Under the new provisions, the initial usage period for ossuary niches and ash chambers will be reduced from 50 to 25 years, with the applicable fees remaining unchanged. The renewal period will be extended from 5 to 10 years, continuing to be exempt from charges.
Other measures include standardizing deadlines for exhumation requests and extensions, improving the fee collection system for exhumation services, and regulating the inscription of names of the deceased, ensuring greater clarity and efficiency in the management of public cemeteries.
