LBMA and Good Delivery Explained: Ensuring Gold Quality and Trust

Anyone exploring the purchase or storage of gold will quickly encounter the terms LBMA and Good Delivery. These international certifications form the foundation of trust within the global gold trade. But what exactly do they mean, and why are they so important for investors?

The LBMA sets the international standards for the gold trade, while Good Delivery is the quality mark that guarantees the purity and origin of gold bars. Together, they provide transparency, consistency, and confidence in the physical gold market.

What is the LBMA?

The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) is the international authority overseeing the trade in gold and silver. Since its establishment in 1987, the organization has managed the standards for purity, production, and ethical sourcing of precious metals. These standards form the backbone of the global gold market.

The LBMA accredits producers and refineries that meet strict quality requirements, sets the official LBMA Gold Price — the global benchmark for gold — and monitors compliance with its Responsible Sourcing Programme.
This framework allows investors worldwide to rely on a fair, transparent, and secure gold market.

Would you like to learn more about the LBMA’s role in the global gold trade? Read our article What is the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA).

What is Good Delivery?

Good Delivery is the LBMA’s international quality standard. Only gold and silver bars that meet these requirements receive this certification. It ensures that a gold bar contains at least 99.5% pure gold, bears a unique serial number and the producer’s hallmark, and complies with strict guidelines on dimensions and finish.

Thanks to this certification, Good Delivery bars can be traded worldwide without additional verification — making them the benchmark within the professional gold market.

LBMA-Accredited Refineries

Not every producer is authorized to issue gold bars with the LBMA seal. Only refineries accredited by the LBMA hold this right. These facilities are regularly audited for their technical precision, production standards, and ethical practices.

Renowned LBMA-accredited producers include Umicore (Belgium), Valcambi and PAMP Suisse (Switzerland), and Heraeus (Germany).
At The Silver Mountain, all gold bars come exclusively from these trusted producers — guaranteed authentic, tradable, and globally recognized.

Why LBMA and Good Delivery Matter for Investors

International recognition of LBMA-certified gold bars

A gold bar bearing the LBMA Good Delivery mark is accepted worldwide without further verification. This makes your investment highly liquid and easily tradable across markets.

Assurance of authenticity and gold content

LBMA certification provides complete confidence in a bar’s authenticity, weight, and purity. You know exactly what you’re buying, with full traceability of its origin.

Responsible and ethical sourcing

The LBMA enforces strict standards for responsible gold mining. Accredited refiners must comply with international guidelines on human rights and environmental protection. This means your investment is not only secure but also ethically sound.

How the LBMA Gold Price determines market value

The LBMA Gold Price serves as the global benchmark for gold valuation. This daily reference rate underpins pricing across international markets and ensures transparency in both buying and selling physical gold.

LBMA Certification for Private Investors

While the large Good Delivery bars of around 400 troy ounces are primarily used by institutional investors and central banks, private investors also benefit from these quality standards.
Smaller gold bars — for example, 1 troy ounce or 100 grams — are also produced by LBMA-accredited refiners. As a result, individual investors enjoy the same level of assurance and quality as professional traders.

Why LBMA Certification Makes the Difference in Gold Investments

The LBMA and the Good Delivery standard are globally synonymous with quality, reliability, and transparency.
Investors who buy gold from an LBMA-accredited producer are investing in gold that is recognized, tradable, and responsibly sourced.

At The Silver Mountain, all gold bars come from LBMA-certified refiners, carefully verified and supplied with guaranteed authenticity and purity.

Disclaimer: The Silver Mountain does not provide individual investment advice. This article is for informational purposes only. Past results and described market developments offer no guarantees for the future.