26-4-2019
The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has launched its new Code of Practices defining responsible, social and environmental business practices for companies in the jewellery supply chain.
RJC consulted over 300 stakeholders from different continents including its members, civil society organisations and leading global standards and assurance bodies. After 18 months, major changes are made as below:
-The expansion of the scope of materials to include coloured gemstones (rubies, emeralds and sapphires) and silver
-The alignment of due diligence requirements with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains
-New requirements on the detection of laboratory-grown diamonds
This is the third Code of Practices since its first edition in 2005. From 23 April 2019 through to 22 April 2020, the RJC will accept certifications against either the 2013 or 2019 versions of the Code of Practices, to allow for the necessary transition for members with their various audit deadlines.