The World Gold Council has launched the Gold Dealer Assurance Standard (GDAS), a new global framework designed to strengthen trust and transparency in the retail gold market.
Developed in consultation with industry and with support from the British Standards Institution (BSI), the standard sets out globally recognised best practices for gold dealers.
Later this year, BSI will launch the Gold Dealer Assurance Programme (GDAP), giving gold dealers and wholesalers the opportunity to be assessed against the standard. Once GDAP opens, independent accredited auditors will assess participating gold dealers across eight core areas.
According to the World Gold Council, retail investors purchase around 1,200 tonnes of gold bars and coins annually, representing 25% of global demand. Bar and coin demand reached a 12-year high in 2025, demonstrating the resilience of physical gold investment amid record gold prices.
However, the council’s 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 purchasing gold and establishing a consistent benchmark for reputable dealers worldwide.
CEO David Tait says the GDAS is the latest initiative to build greater trust in gold and, for the first time, establish a globally recognised benchmark for responsible business practices across the retail gold market.
“By providing independent assurance against consistent standards, we believe it will help strengthen consumer confidence, support reputable dealers, and raise standards across the industry,” Tait says.
“The World Gold Council expects the Gold Dealer Assurance Standard to become the reference point for investors seeking trusted providers of physical gold, while supporting dealers with an internationally recognised framework that demonstrates operational excellence and responsible business practices.”
BSI will independently operate GDAP. It will conduct audits, make assurance decisions, and award the GDAP trust mark to dealers that meet the standard. It will launch the audit program in Q4 2026.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Image: World Gold Council
