In a pivotal move demonstrating its unwavering commitment to fostering responsible business practices across the global jewellery supply chain, the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) recently convened its inaugural “virtual” Annual General Meeting (AGM). This landmark event, a testament to the organisation’s adaptability and foresight, served as the platform for announcing significant appointments to its esteemed Board of Directors, as well as crucial additions to several key committees. These strategic nominations are set to invigorate the RJC’s mission, reinforcing its leadership role in promoting ethical, social, and environmental responsibility from mine to retail. RJC Chair, David A. Bouffard, presided over the announcement during the AGM, underscoring the collective dedication to advancing integrity within the industry.
Held in a groundbreaking partnership with Lumi, a leading provider of software and audience engagement technology, the virtual AGM transcended geographical boundaries. This innovative approach allowed for an unprecedented global reach, broadcasting the proceedings to RJC member companies across continents from the prestigious Chatham House in London. On Tuesday, May 14, 2019, this event marked a significant evolution in how industry governance can be conducted, ensuring broader participation and transparency. The strategic use of virtual technology not only enhanced accessibility but also underscored the RJC’s commitment to modern, efficient, and inclusive operational practices, setting a new precedent for stakeholder engagement in the responsible jewellery sector.
The newly appointed members to the RJC Board of Directors are meticulously selected to represent the diverse facets of the jewellery supply chain. Their expertise spans the entire value chain, from the initial stages of mining precious metals and gemstones to the final retail presentation to consumers. This comprehensive representation is crucial for ensuring that the RJC’s policies and standards are robust, practical, and address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by each segment of the industry. By fostering a collaborative environment among these varied stakeholders, the RJC aims to strengthen the collective commitment to responsible sourcing, ethical labour practices, and environmental stewardship, thereby enhancing consumer trust and industry integrity globally.
Strengthening Governance: New Appointments to the Board of Directors
The RJC Board plays a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction and upholding the core values of the organisation. The appointments bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives to this vital leadership body, ensuring that the RJC’s initiatives remain relevant, impactful, and inclusive. Each new director will serve as a voice for their respective industry forum, advocating for best practices and contributing to the continuous improvement of the global jewellery supply chain’s ethical framework. These individuals are instrumental in driving the implementation of the RJC’s rigorous standards and promoting a culture of accountability throughout the sector.
- Diamond, Gold, and/or Platinum Group Metals Producer Forum: Representing the foundational stage of the supply chain, which includes the critical initial steps of sourcing and extraction, James Pounds from Dominion Diamond Corporation and Nelson Zarzosa from Minera Sotrami S.A. bring essential insights from the mining sector. Their presence ensures that responsible sourcing, environmental impact, and community engagement at the mine level are adequately addressed and integrated into RJC’s strategies.
- Diamond Traders, Cutters, and Polishers Forum: Michael Steinmetz from Leo Schachter Diamonds LLC joins the Board to represent the midstream segment of the diamond industry. This forum is vital for ensuring ethical handling, traceability, and fair labour practices throughout the complex processes of diamond trading, cutting, and polishing. His expertise is crucial for maintaining integrity in a sector known for its intricate global networks.
- Gold, Platinum Group Metals Traders, Refiners, and/or Hedgers Forum: The refining and trading of precious metals form another critical juncture in the supply chain. Gregory Magid from Kusasa Refining Pty Ltd will contribute his extensive knowledge to this area, focusing on responsible refining processes, anti-money laundering compliance, and ethical supply chain due diligence for gold and platinum group metals, which are fundamental to preventing illicit trade and ensuring transparency.
- Jewellery Manufacturer and Wholesaler Forum: Patrick Addor from Jaeger-LeCoultre steps onto the Board to represent the manufacturing and wholesale segment. This stage involves significant design, production, and distribution complexities. His role is to ensure that ethical labour practices, product integrity, and environmental considerations are maintained and improved upon during the transformation of raw materials into finished jewellery products circulated globally.
- Jewellery Retailer Forum: As the direct link to the end consumer, the retail sector holds immense responsibility in communicating ethical practices and building trust. Bernard Malek from Cartier will represent the jewellery retailer forum, ensuring that consumer-facing businesses uphold the highest standards of transparency, responsible sales, and customer education regarding the provenance and ethical journey of their jewellery.
- Service Industries Forum: The myriad of supporting services that underpin the jewellery industry is represented by Rajesh Neelakanta from BV Chinai & Co. (India) Pvt. Ltd. This encompasses a wide range of services, including logistics, grading, valuation, and technology providers, all of whom play an integral role in maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the supply chain. His contribution helps ensure that all ancillary services align with RJC’s responsible business practices.
- Trade Association Forum: Bernadette Pinet from Union Francaise de la BJOP brings the crucial perspective of trade associations to the Board. These organisations are pivotal in representing the collective interests of their members, disseminating best practices, and advocating for responsible industry standards on a broader scale. Her role is to bridge the gap between individual businesses and the wider industry ecosystem, fostering collaborative progress.
These new Board members are poised to work in close collaboration with the existing Board, the RJC’s Executive Committee, and the dedicated management team. Their collective efforts will be instrumental in positioning and driving the widespread adoption of the recently launched 2019 Code of Practices. This updated framework represents a significant evolution in industry standards, expanding on key areas such as human rights, environmental protection, and business ethics. The Board’s mandate includes not only promoting adherence to these standards but also fostering a culture of continuous improvement in responsible business practices across every segment of the global jewellery supply chain, ensuring that the RJC remains at the forefront of sustainability and ethical conduct.
Beyond the Board, the RJC also made vital new appointments to strengthen its core operational committees: the Standards, Assurance, and Communications Committees. These committees are the foundational pillars supporting the RJC’s vision and mission of promoting a responsible worldwide supply chain. Working closely with the management team, these dedicated groups are tasked with developing and refining the rigorous standards, overseeing the robust assurance processes, and effectively communicating the RJC’s valuable initiatives and achievements to a global audience. Their combined expertise is critical for translating strategic goals into tangible progress and ensuring the credibility and impact of the RJC’s work.
Bolstering Expertise: New Committee Appointments
The effectiveness of the RJC’s mission hinges on the strength and diversity of its committees. The newly appointed members bring invaluable expertise from various sectors, ensuring a holistic approach to standard-setting, certification oversight, and stakeholder engagement. These individuals are committed to contributing their knowledge and experience to further solidify the RJC’s position as the leading authority on responsible practices in the jewellery industry.
**Additions to the Standards Committee:** The Standards Committee is responsible for the ongoing development, review, and refinement of the RJC’s Code of Practices, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness in addressing evolving industry challenges. This committee benefits from a diverse mix of industry leaders and non-industry experts, providing a balanced perspective. Key industry representations include global diamond giants such as Alrosa Group and De Beers Group; prominent diamond traders and manufacturers like Bonas & Co and Lazare Kaplan International Inc.; leading precious metal refiners such as Argor-Heraeus SA; manufacturing specialists like Donze-Baume and Pomellato S.p.A; luxury brands like Cartier; and pioneering ethical jewellery companies such as Fair Trade Jewellery Company. Additionally, renowned grading and certification bodies such as HRD Antwerp, IGI India Pvt Ltd, Antwerp World Diamond Centre, and industry representative bodies like IDMA contribute their crucial technical and operational insights.
The inclusion of non-industry appointments to the Standards Committee is equally significant, bringing independent perspectives and expertise in sustainability, human rights, and corporate responsibility. These organisations include BSR and UL, both leaders in sustainability consulting and certification; the Swiss Better Gold Association, advocating for responsible artisanal and small-scale mining; Levin Sources, specialists in mineral supply chain solutions; and the Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct, promoting ethical diamond practices. Further strengthening the committee are representatives from vital advocacy and monitoring groups such as the International Coloured Gemstone Association (ICA), the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), and the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI). This diverse consortium ensures that RJC standards are comprehensive, transparent, and align with broader global sustainability and human rights frameworks.
**Additions to the Assurance and Communications Committees:** These committees are critical for ensuring the integrity of the RJC certification process and for effectively disseminating the RJC’s message and impact. New members joining these vital committees represent a broad spectrum of the industry. These include prominent mining and trading companies such as Dominion Diamond Corporation; diamond dealers like El-Ran BVBA; precious metal refiners such as Varinor SA; and esteemed jewellery manufacturers and retailers including Corona Jewellery Company Ltd, CTF Diamond Trading Co Ltd, House of Gems Ltd, Van Cleef & Arpels, Piaget, Richline Group Inc., and Day’s Jewelers. Furthermore, leading gemological institutes like GIA and major industry players such as Leo Schachter Diamonds LLC and IWC Schaffhausen lend their considerable expertise, ensuring robust auditing processes and impactful communication strategies that resonate across the global jewellery community.
Reflecting on these pivotal appointments, Iris Van der Veken, the Executive Director of the RJC, emphasized the profound impact of collaboration. She stated, “Partnerships with our members will achieve transformative change and play a key role in driving the SDG agenda forward. I look forward to engaging with them further in pursuit of our shared goals.” Her statement underscores the RJC’s strategic alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the industry’s commitment to contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world. Through these strengthened partnerships, the RJC aims to accelerate progress on critical global challenges, from climate action and responsible consumption to decent work and economic growth, demonstrating that ethical business practices are intrinsically linked to broader societal well-being.
Further echoing the sentiment of progress and strengthened commitment, David Bouffard, Chair of the RJC, remarked, “It’s a great honor to welcome our new Board and Committee members at a very important time as the organisation continues to strengthen its position as the leading industry standards-setting and certification body. We will continue our tireless work toward the continuous improvement in the integrity of the global jewellery supply chain.” His comments highlight the critical juncture the industry faces, with increasing consumer demand for transparency and ethical sourcing. The new leadership is tasked with navigating these evolving expectations, solidifying the RJC’s unique and indispensable role in setting the benchmarks for responsible conduct, and ensuring that the global jewellery supply chain operates with the highest levels of integrity, accountability, and environmental consciousness for generations to come.
These strategic appointments signify a renewed energy and enhanced capability for the Responsible Jewellery Council to fulfill its overarching mission. By bringing together a diverse array of industry leaders and independent experts, the RJC is reinforcing its governance, enriching its standards, and broadening its outreach. The collective expertise and dedication of these individuals will be instrumental in driving the continuous evolution of responsible practices, ensuring that the global jewellery industry not only thrives economically but also stands as a beacon of ethical conduct and sustainability. This steadfast commitment is vital for building lasting consumer confidence and securing a prosperous, responsible future for all stakeholders within the intricate jewellery value chain, from the mine all the way to the end consumer.