Brussels, 04/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Commission decided to send a formal request to France, asking it to amend its legislation on precious metals. In France, only works with an assay of 750 thousandths benefit from the name "gold", where as those with an assay of 375 or 585 thousandths are called "gold alloys". Yet, the majority of objects in gold imported from other Member States belong to the Category 375/585. Consequently, they are prevented from acceding the French market with the name "gold", which, for the Commission, constitutes a measure with an equivalent effect of an obstacle to the free movement of goods. In addition, regarding the affixation of a hallmark, the time it takes to check imported products is longer than for French products. France has two months in which to amend its legislation, otherwise the Commission could turn to the Court of Justice.