Since then, its initial membership of 14 has swelled to around 450 to include not only conglomerates but also smaller enterprises. Please explore the RJC website to discover more about our standards and certification programs, RJC Members, and Auditors, and how you might become involved with or benefit from our work. Responsible Supply Chains and Human Rights, Gold, Diamond and Platinum Group Metal Products. requiring members to report publicly about their practices relevant to the Code Trust, however, seems to be a commodity in short supply. Certification against the Responsible Jewellery Council Code of Practices is compulsory for all RJC Commercial Members within two years of joining. The CoC Standard aims to support claims for responsibly-sourced jewellery materials (known as CoC Material) produced, processed and traded through the jewellery supply chain. This depends on initial audit results; typically the audit, report writing, and report review process takes about 1 month from the opening meeting, before it is delivered to the RJC for final approval. Photograph: Anwar Mirza/REUTERS. New provisions This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. Jewellery Council is in a unique position to support companies in adopting "I don't know anyone else who has possibly been foolish enough as us to do it." In particular, while provision 3.1 87) and collective bargaining (no. This language waters down the clear requirements of the UN Declaration Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (OECD Minerals Guidance), SCS Global Services Headquarters While civil society representatives have sat on its standards committee since early 2012, the board is wholly composed of companies and trade associations. One provision calls for public reporting, while another one provides for reporting solely to stakeholders. The Kingfisher mark and "Setting the Standard for Sustainability" are registered trademarks of All Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Members within the entire supply chain, from mine to retail, are eligible for assessment of conformance to the RJC Code of Practices standard. The global minerals trade has funded abuses and armed conflict for decades. How do you get Certified? How long does it take to become RJC certified? "If they exist, these teeth are set so wide apart that you can drive a dump truck of toxic waste through them. encourage the RJC to reform its auditing and certification process to make it When ready, it can be audited by a private and independent external firm in the same way as an ISO standard, for example. We're not in the business and neither is the FSC to name and shame. human rights due diligence framework. previous 2013 version. No information has been provided regarding how revisions may be made. It is jewellery supply chains from mining to retail, and civil society is set at arms length." including all relevant stakeholders. Learn More, Formally confirming that your products and services meet all trusted external and internal standards. SCS Global Services offers the following related services. "It is beautiful and finely crafted, but really people buy jewellery because of what it represents the best of human emotion.". jewelry retailers, refiners, manufacturers and others, the Responsible indigenous peoples rights that fall short of international standards. No company is saying this is too easy. Bulgari received RJC certification in December 2011. Client signs Work Order and returns to SCS to initiate project. No, we have not had cause to do that yet. This operation is then to be renewed every 3 years. Learn More, Evaluating how your products and services meet and exceed quality, safety, sustainability and performance standards. RJC can also recognise comparable standards from other initiatives under the CoC Standard, and has already done so for gold refiner due diligence audits and the artisanal mining sector. Certification Criteria Furthermore, a review of the standard and its assessment process is scheduled for after April 2021, creating additional uncertainty over whether and when diamond and gemstone companies will be checked for full compliance. RJCs Code of Practices is a landmark standard for the jewellery supply chain and addresses a wide range of supply chain issues, including business ethics, human rights, social and environmental performance. How long does the audit take to complete? SCS will primarily request a completed scoping tab in order to provide a quote estimate for audit services. This debate boiled over a fortnight ago when an international coalition of unions and environmental NGOs including Earthworks, Mining Watch Canada and United Steelworkers called for a major overhaul, accusing Rae's organisation of presiding over poor governance and weak standards. We find that deeply problematic. Learn More. The RJC Code of Practices includes criteria that address the following issues: Need more information? While these With globally located auditors to conduct your RJC COP or CoC audit smoothly and efficiently, SCS is a leader in responsible jewellry, minerals and precious metals sustainability certifications with more than 25 years of experience providing detailed, accurate and ethical audits. your review of the Code during its pilot phase. Members are required to meet the COP within two years of joining RJC. recognition of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of According to the ", Proof of its credibility, says Rae, came in June 2012 when it was accepted as a full member of ISEAL Alliance, which accredits certification bodies. supply chain irrespective of their efforts under the Kimberley Process and The undersigned Support responsible business practices in the jewellery supply chain. assessed by auditors for their conformance with Steps 3 and 4 of the OECD regarding public reporting requirements. Other ways to share more substantive and transparent. Tel : +33 (0)4 22 45 08 70 Email : info@i-diamants.com Web : https://www.i-diamants.com Other concerns highlighted by the groups include what they consider to be inconsistent reporting requirements under the new standard. for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG)Centre Learn More, Validating the specifications, value and safety of your raw materials, products and assets. On a procedural by the OECD Alignment Assessment including recommendations relating to the Join our movement today. The Code of Practices addresses human rights, labour rights, environmental impact, mining practices, product disclosure and many more important topics in the jewellery supply chain. Yes it does. Some of The 2019 Code of strengthening of audit program requirements and competency of auditors. The LVMH Watches & Jewelry business group became a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council in 2005. All rights reserved. diligence efforts. Working Group ColombiaDr. Rights in South Asia (ARISA)Anti-Corruption on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. For all the actors of the Jewellery-Watch industry. FAQ, between April 2021 and April 2022, the Code of Practices and its audit 2015 Mark Z. Saludes for Human Rights Watch, Open Letter to the Responsible Jewellery Council, Democrats Are Fumbling Their Chance to Make Insulin More Affordable, Sri Lanka: Security Forces Assault Peaceful Protesters, Morocco: Playbook to Mask Worsening Repression, Ukraine: Torture, Disappearances in Occupied South, Ukraine: Apparent POW Abuse Would Be War Crime, Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals. "I would say that no certification system is perfect now. concerned that this may result in weakening of the standard. Diligence Guidance, which calls for public reporting on companies supply chain We understand that Specifically, the Code of Practices states that members should work to obtain Responsibly produced at each step of the supply chain. du Commerce International pour le Dveloppement (CECIDE)Centre The RJCs Chain-of-Custody Certification for precious metals supports these initiatives and can be used as a tool to deliver broader Member and stakeholder benefit.Please explore the RJC website to discover more about our standards and certification programs, RJC Members, and Auditors, and how you might become involved with or benefit from our work. The certification is applicable for gold, silver, platinum group metals (PGMs), diamonds, and gemstone supply chains. 29, 138, 182) are referenced, we do not +1.510.452.8000 main | +1.510.452.8001 fax Impact Assessment and Reclamation and Closure. Both Earthworks and the RJC have decided to correspond with each other by publishing on their own websites. Consumers LeaguePublic Share this via Printer. The groups recommended requiring companies to publish audit summaries, including information on all facilities visited, areas of non-compliance, a description of any identified risks, and the specific measures taken to assess and mitigate risks. All relevant supply chain participants may also be certified under the RJC Chain-of-Custody (CoC) standard. RJC Certification requires independent third-party auditing by RJC accredited auditors to verify that a Members management systems and performance conform to the RJC Code of Practices. Intertek is a global approved RJC certification body providing accreditation services to RJC members in the following: Ensuring the Safety and Performance of Electrical Products, Corporate Social Responsibility Solutions, Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Certifications, Medical Management Systems Auditing and Certification, Cosmetic - Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Accreditation for Management Systems Certification, Quality and Impartiality Policy for Management Systems Certification. Share this via Twitter Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Certification promotes trust in the global fine jewelry industry by assuring companies are adhering to responsible business practices. Advocating members shall only communicate with stakeholders about their human rights due Upon successful RJC Verification, SCS will submit our Statement of Conformance to the RJC, who will then determine certification status of the client. With nearly 20 years of experience in social accountability, Intertek has created monitoring services based on an in-depth understanding of local labor issues, workplace safety, and environmental laws and regulations. non-governmental organizations and trade unions working to protect human rights Cost will vary according to the size of the business, the types of risks, and the areas where the business operates. Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER)Enough "Part of what makes us honest people is wanting to be seen to be honest.". RJC also works with multi-stakeholder initiatives on responsible sourcing and supply chain due diligence. London, SW1A 2DD UK, Anne Marie The Responsible Jewellery Council's Code of Practice is a recognized standard within the Jewellery and Watchmaking supply chain and covers a wide range of issues such as environmental, social, ethical and human rights practices. significant remaining gaps. The Code of Practices addresses human rights, labour rights, environmental impact, mining practices, product disclosure and many more important topics in the jewellery supply chain.RJC also works with multi-stakeholder initiatives on responsible sourcing and supply chain due diligence. groups the option of providing comments. If a critical breach is identified, the Member must address the non-conformance within 4 weeks of the audit. Auditors will define a non-conformance as either minor or major, depending on the severity of the non-conformance. to respond to human rights risks identified, and Step 4 requires companies to Can consumers rely on its certification? standard to help protect miners and mining communities from the harmful effects March Against Child LaborGlobal Step 3 requires companies to design and implement strategies will not be fully assessed for conformance with human rights due diligence Zimbabwes vast diamond riches exploited by secretive political and military elites, report shows. Under the OECD guidance, companies must take the following five steps: set up management systems for due diligence; identify human rights risks in their supply chains; respond to the risks found; carry out an independent, third-party audit; and report publicly about the steps taken. RJC Members commit to and are independently audited against the RJC Code of Practices an international standard on responsible business practices for diamonds, gold and platinum group metals. What do I need to complete during the audit scoping phase? compliance with the new Code until 2024. fundamental ILO conventions (e.g. of mercury. Members should be required to reach full To see SCS's complete auditor coverage, click here. It branded the organisation a poor imitation of the FSC and cited various loopholes including an apparent failure to ban developments in conflict zones, to demand limits on air or water pollution or to require members to obtain free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples. If there's any way we can help, please let us know. Minerals Guidance. "One of the criticisms is that our auditor accreditation process isn't rigorous," says Rae. Certification against the RJC Code of Practices is compulsory for all RJC Commercial members within two years of joining RJC. It is good news for human rights protection that the Responsible Jewellery Council will now require member companies to put into practice the international norm on responsible sourcing, said Juliane Kippenberg, associate child rights director at Human Rights Watch. "It takes a long time to build trust in the conversation," he explains. us also provided detailed input on the draft Code in June 2018. We are As you continue your navigation, you accept the use of cookies to provide our service and to secure transactions on our website. We also welcome "The RJC code of practices is one of the strongest out there in terms of breadth and depth of criteria, at least on paper," explains Jennifer Horning, international programme coordinator for gold at Solidaridad, who also sits on the RJC's standards committee. But according to Michael Rae, chief executive of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), that's not the point. (rather than obtain) free, prior and informed consent of affected indigenous Although several other 105), framework. The RJCs current phase-in plan for carrying out the new certification standard foresees that diamond and colored gemstone companies existing practices will not be fully assessed against the standard until April 2021 at the earliest. SCS is an approved service provider to conduct RJC Code of Practices and Chain-of-Custody verification assessments in numerous countries. The COP is a multi-attribute standard that evaluates supply chain, business ethics, labor and human rights, health and safety, environmental performance, and management systems. de Lutte contre la Faim (RELUFA)Zimbabwe Fleury, director, Standards, Assurance, and Impacts David Bouffard, chair, discrimination (No. Get updates on human rights issues from around the globe. With more than Audit length depends on the size and complexity of the Members operations. peoples. undermine its goals and allow member companies to pursue irresponsible business Otherwise, what's the point?". certification process and decision. reporting, falling short of the requirements of Step 5 of the OECD Due We welcome the Auditor reviews data and findings from the audit and writes a report for the clients approval. It doesn't keep you cool in the summer or warm in the winter," he says. "It doesn't keep the weight off, it doesn't feed you. Ask at Tiffany & Co today whether its products are responsibly sourced and you will be told that, just as its iconic blue boxes are made by Forest Stewardship Council accredited suppliers, so is its jewellery certified by the RJC. The Certification process is supported by Standards Guidance, an Assessment Manual, and tools and training to support implementation and audits, and covers the following key topics: In March 2012, the RJC launched its Chain-of-Custody (CoC) Standard for the precious metals supply chain. Javascript n'est pas activ / JavaScript is not enabled, RJC Certification : Responsible Jewellery Council, Different shapes of diamonds | I-diamants, An approach accessible to all the actors of the Jewellery-Watch industry, In all countries who signed the Kimberley Process, The application of a code of good practice, Certification issued by a private and independent audit firm. Certification can be granted for up to three years, meaning that some members may not be fully checked for compliance until 2024. Help us continue to fight human rights abuses. Client prepares for the audit by completing a Self-Assessment against the Code of Practices or the Chain-of-Custody Standard. All RJC members are required to comply with the standard and are audited against it two years after joining. The goal is to improve the practices of actors in the diamond, precious stone and jewelry industry. In a 124-page report titled More Shine Than Substance, the group alleged the RJC's certification system is flawed, saying it fails to consider the source of products, certifying companies as a whole, not individual sites or facilities. Customer service at your service, provided by diamond dealers, All our diamonds are independently certified by 3 world-renowed organisations, i-diamants.com - Enseigne de SARL ID DE HANTSETTERS au capital de 18.000,00