What Is the LBMA
The London Bullion Market Association is an international trade association representing the global over-the-counter precious metals market. Based in London, the LBMA sets standards that facilitate trading and ensure quality across the worldwide gold market.
The LBMA's Good Delivery List includes refiners whose products meet strict quality standards. This list has become the de facto global standard for acceptable gold bars in wholesale and institutional markets. While Good Delivery rules technically apply to large bars (approximately 400 oz), the accreditation signals refiner quality for all their products.
Major gold trading, central bank reserves, and ETF holdings rely on LBMA standards. When you buy a 1 oz bar from an LBMA-accredited refiner, you benefit from the same quality assurance systems that govern institutional gold markets.
Good Delivery Specifications
LBMA Good Delivery specifications for gold require minimum fineness of 995 parts per thousand (99.5% pure). Most accredited refiners exceed this significantly, producing bars at 999.9 fineness (99.99% pure). The specifications also cover weight tolerances, dimensions, and surface quality.
Each bar must be clearly marked with the refiner's registered brand, fineness (expressed as parts per thousand), serial number, and year of manufacture. These marks must be legible and properly positioned according to LBMA guidelines.
Appearance standards require bars be of good appearance without surface cavities, excessive layering, or other defects. These physical quality requirements help ensure bars are easily tradeable and verifiable.
Refiner Accreditation Process
Becoming LBMA-accredited requires rigorous evaluation. Applicant refiners must demonstrate consistent production quality, proper assaying capabilities, and adherence to responsible sourcing guidelines. The process includes documentation review, facility inspection, and testing of sample bars.
Accredited refiners undergo proactive monitoring including annual declarations, periodic proficiency testing, and random sampling of their production. Refiners that fail to maintain standards can be removed from the Good Delivery List.
The LBMA also requires compliance with responsible gold guidance, ensuring that accredited refiners source gold ethically and maintain proper chain of custody documentation. This adds an ESG (environmental, social, governance) dimension to the accreditation.
Why LBMA Matters for 1 oz Bars
While LBMA Good Delivery rules technically apply to large bars, the accreditation indicates that a refiner meets globally recognized quality standards. When you purchase a 1 oz bar from PAMP, Valcambi, Perth Mint, or another LBMA-accredited refiner, you benefit from their quality systems.
Bars from LBMA-accredited refiners are accepted by dealers worldwide without additional testing. This global acceptance simplifies resale whether you sell locally or internationally. Non-accredited bars may require assay before purchase, reducing convenience and potentially value.
For investors focused on liquidity and resale ease, choosing LBMA-accredited refiner products provides practical advantages. The accreditation serves as third-party validation of quality that buyers recognize. Compare the best 1 oz gold bars from accredited refiners in our product guide.