1. GOVERNANCE OF THE Poinçon de Genève
The Poinçon de Genève, the certification label for fine watchmaking, is only of value if the application of all its criteria is controlled.
The organisations responsible for overseeing the application of these rules comprise an independently operated legislative body, executive body and judicial body.
The supreme entity authorised by the Geneva Council of State is the Foundation Council of the Geneva Laboratory of Horology and Microengineering. It is the legal body and only guarantor of the Poinçon de Genève.
The Poinçon de Genève Technical Commission serves as its legislative body. Its mission is to define the criteria and update the rules to reflect technological innovations.
The Poinçon de Genève Office fulfils the role of the executive body. Through its approval, certification and audit units, it constantly oversees the application of the Poinçon de Genève criteria throughout every stage in the manufacture of a timepiece.
1.1 Council of State
The executive and administrative functions of the Canton are the responsibility of a Council of State made up of seven members.
The State administration is divided into departments, each headed by a State councillor (minister).
1.2 Founding Council
The Laboratory is set up as a Swiss private-law foundation under the aegis of the State. The Founding Council is made up of 7 members appointed by the Council of State, including:
a) 2 representatives proposed by the Department of Public Instruction including at least one proposed by the technical professional training centre;
b) 1 representative proposed by the Department of the Economy;
c) 1 representative proposed by the Department of Finance;
d) 3 representatives from the field of Geneva watchmaking proposed by the Union of Watchmakers of Geneva, Vaud and Valais.
The headquarters is in the Canton of Geneva and the role of President is fulfilled by one of the representatives proposed by the Department of Public Instruction, the Department of the Economy or the Department of Finance.
The Foundation Council submits the organisation’s rules and the general working conditions of qualified personnel for approval by the Council of State.
1.3 Technical Commission
Poinçon de Genève activities are placed under the technical supervision of a Commission made up of 7 members, appointed every 5 years by the Foundation Council for their skills and knowledge.
The Commission is led by the director of the technical training centre who may delegate this role to another member of the management team.
The Poinçon de Genève Commission is charged with determining the level of quality of craftsmanship required for the different technical parts of the watch.
In addition, it is charged with identifying the part of the movement to be marked with the Poinçon.
1.4. Poinçon de Genève Office
The Poinçon de Genève Office fulfils the role of the executive body. Through its quality organisation and its approval, certification and audit units, it constantly oversees the application of the Poinçon de Genève criteria throughout every stage in the manufacture of a timepiece.
2. Quality organisation
The Poinçon de Genève, the certification label for fine watchmaking, is only of value if the application of all its criteria is controlled.
The organisations responsible for overseeing the application of these rules comprise an independently operated legislative body, executive body and judicial body.
The Poinçon de Genève Office fulfils the role of the executive body. Through its approval, certification and audit units, it constantly oversees the application of the Poinçon de Genève criteria throughout every stage in the manufacture of a timepiece.
