RJC - Chain Of Custody Standard
RJC stands for Responsible Jewellery Council, an international organization that promotes responsible practices in the jewelry supply chain. The RJC has developed various standards and certification programs to ensure ethical, social, and environmental responsibility in the jewelry industry.
The RJC Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard is one of the certification programs offered by the RJC. It focuses on tracking and tracing the journey of responsibly sourced materials through the entire jewelry supply chain. The CoC Standard provides guidelines and requirements for businesses involved in the processing, manufacturing, and trading of precious metals and gemstones.
The key aspects of the RJC Chain of Custody Standard include:
Transparency: The standard emphasizes transparency and traceability by requiring companies to maintain accurate records and documentation of the origin and movement of materials throughout the supply chain. This ensures that the materials used in jewelry production come from responsible and ethical sources.
Risk Assessment: The CoC Standard requires companies to conduct a risk assessment to identify and mitigate potential risks related to the responsible sourcing of materials. This includes assessing social, environmental, and ethical risks associated with mining, processing, and trading of precious metals and gemstones.
Due Diligence: The standard mandates that companies implement due diligence procedures to verify the responsible sourcing of materials. This includes conducting assessments of suppliers, implementing controls to prevent the use of conflict minerals or other unethical practices, and conducting regular audits to ensure compliance with the standard.
Certification and Auditing: To achieve certification, companies must undergo a third-party audit conducted by accredited certification bodies. The audit assesses the company's compliance with the RJC Chain of Custody Standard requirements. Certified companies are periodically re-audited to maintain their certification.
By complying with the RJC Chain of Custody Standard, jewelry companies demonstrate their commitment to responsible sourcing practices, ethical business conduct, and environmental stewardship. The certification provides assurance to customers and stakeholders that the jewelry they purchase has been produced in a responsible and sustainable manner. It also helps companies gain market recognition and enhance their reputation within the jewelry industry.