THE RESPONSIBLE JEWELLERY COUNCIL (RJC)

RJC Certification requires independent third-party auditing by RJC accredited auditors to verify that a Member’s management systems and performance conform to the RJC Code of Practices. The certification is applicable for gold, silver, platinum group metals (PGMs), diamonds, and gemstone supply chains.

• RJC Code of Practices (COP): RJC’s mandatory certification for all commercial RJC Members. Members are required to meet the COP within two years of joining RJC. The COP is a multi-attribute standard that evaluates supply chain, business ethics, labor, and human rights, health and safety, environmental performance, and management systems.
• RJC Chain-of-Custody (CoC): As a Member benefit, RJC’s voluntary Chain-of-Custody certification may be used to support additional responsible sourcing efforts as desired. Meeting the COP standard requirements is a prerequisite for CoC certification.

BENEFITs

Demonstrates RJC certification demonstrates to investors, suppliers, and customers that you adhere to rigorous standards for social, ethical, and environmental performance

• Protects your reputation by proactively responding to ethical issues

• Strengthens your internal management systems

• Supports responsible business practices in the jewelry supply chain

• RJC COP is recognized by Signet Responsible Sourcing Protocols (SRSP) as a pathway to compliance

PROCESS

1. Become a Member of RJC.

Visit RJC’s website to apply.

2. Scoping and Project Initiation:

• Client and BV confirm scope of project.
• Client signs Contract and returns to BV to initiate project.

3. Data Collection

• BV provides an overview of project milestones.
• Client prepares for the audit by completing a Self-Assessment against the Code of Practices or the Chain-of-Custody Standard.
• BV works with client to clarify Self-Assessment requirements.

4. Audit

• BV requires an onsite audit of a select number of facilities to verify the client has systems in place that conform to the requirements defined in the applicable RJC Standard.
• Cost will vary according to the size of the business, the types of risks, and the areas where the business operates.

5. Reporting

• Auditor reviews data and findings from the audit and writes a report for the client’s approval.

6. Certification Decision

• Upon successful RJC Verification, BV will submit our Statement of Conformance to the RJC, who will then determine certification status of the client.
• Certified RJC members are issued a unique RJC Certification number which is made publicly available on the RJC website.

7. Certification Maintenance 

• Certification period is for three years, or for a one year transitional period.
• If applicable, a Mid-Term Review (Code of Practices) or Surveillance Audit (Chain-of-Custody Standard) will be conducted during the certification period to verify that the certified Member’s system continues to work effectively.
• At the end of the certification period, a Re-Certification Audit is required to renew the Member’s certification.

PROGRAM DETAIL

Eligibility

All Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Members within the entire supply chain, from mine to retail, are eligible for assessment of conformance to the RJC Code of Practices standard.

All relevant supply chain participants may also be certified under the RJC Chain-of-Custody (CoC) standard.

Certification Criteria

The RJC Code of Practices includes criteria that address the following issues:

• Responsible Supply Chains
• Business Ethics and Labor Rights
• Due diligence for responsible sourcing from conflict-affected and high-risk areas
• Human Rights and Social Performance
• Health and Safety
• Environmental Performance
• Management Systems