RJC Broadens Code of Practices

RAPAPORT... The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has updated its Code of Practices (COP) to include silver jewelry and color gemstones, significantly expanding the reach of the standards organization.The code, which defines due-diligence and social-responsibility requirements for the industry, also outlines new requirements for the detection of laboratory-grown diamonds, the group announced Wednesday. In addition, the RJC has fully aligned its due-diligence requirements with those of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a move industry stakeholders have been pushing for, the RJC noted in October. "The due-diligence requirements in the COP show a real commitment to the OECD guidance," said Tyler Gillard, the OECD's manager of sector projects and responsible business conduct unit. "The provision and its accompanying guidance provide, for the first time, a comprehensive due-diligence approach tailored to the diamonds and colored gemstones supply chains." The update follows a collaborative 18-month consultation period during which the RJC discussed proposed changes with its members, civil-society organizations and leading global-standards bodies. RJC members will have until April 2020 to certify their practices meet the new guidelines. "I...encourage all members in the jewelry industry to step up their efforts to ensure these standards are meaningfully implemented as soon as possible," Gillard added.Image: An emerald and diamond necklace. (Pixabay)