The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) announced that more than 400 members have achieved certified member status under the RJC Code of Practice (COP) at the beginning of October. In other words, over three quarters of the total 532 members are now certified; while the remaining companies are still working towards their two year deadline after joining RJC.
The certified members represent almost 6,000 facilities or locations covered by certification spread across 53 countries. Over 270,000 people are employed in these locations.
According to RJC’s statistics, diamond traders, cutters and polishers hold 196 certifications, occupying the largest proportion of the total certified members, followed by jewellery manufacturers or wholesalers with 116 certifications and jewellery retailers with 49 certifications. The gold and platinum group, metals traders, refiners or hedgers together hold 27 certifications while the service industry has 12 certifications.
“We are proud to have reached such an impressive milestone. I would like to congratulate these members and also thank them for their commitment. RJC is committed to help its members achieve the desired standards and stay relevant to the issues and opportunities they face in relation to ethical and responsible business practices,” said Ashish Deo, new CEO of RJC.
As RJC members are subject to re-certification every three years, those who had first achieved certification during the second half of 2011 are now at various stages of the process. During 2014, more than 40 have been successfully re-certified.
← Back