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Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices Adopts Code

The Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices (CRJP), an industry group formed to promote ethical business practices in the jewelry industry, has released its approved Code of Practices for member companies.

The 16-page code covers business ethics, social performance, and environmental performance. Because the CRJP was formed specifically to address the diamond and gold supply chain, the guidelines were geared toward those sectors rather than the colored stone supply chain, where the issues are very different.

In the section on business ethics, members are required to adopted anti-money-laundering programs and avoid engaging in bribery. They must also adhere to the Kimberley Process rules, which includes refusing to buy diamonds from sources — either suppliers or countries — which don’t follow those rules. Finally, members have to follow local laws on disclosure and representation of gemstones or gold. “Where no specific regulations exist,” the document says, “the CIBJO [World Jewellery Confederation] regulations should be viewed as the authoritative regulations beyond those [listed in the CRJP code].”

The social aspect of the codes covers basic employee relations: providing a safe and healthy working environment, prohibiting child labor, and careful handling of hazardous substances. Employees must have the right to form unions, present grievances to their employers, and be given fair wages and working hours.

The environmental rules include proper disposal of hazardous waste — one area where the gold mining industry has drawn fierce criticism — and seeking to minimize energy use and production of carbon emissions. Members must also attempt to reduce the amount of waste produced in product and packaging design.

The code does not require members to buy from suppliers who also follow these rules.

The Code of Practices was developed by CRJP’s stakeholders in consultation with industry associations, representatives from government and non-governmental organizations, and other members of the trade.

The CRJP will now work on developing more specific guidelines for each sector of the supply chain, including mining, manufacturing, and retail sales so that the code can be implemented in a practical way. The association will also work on creating an independent, third-part monitoring system to ensure that members are complying with the rules. The current target date to put the code into practices is early 2008.

In August, the CRJP also expanded to include 15 new members, bringing the total membership to 54. The new members are: Aurafin L.L.C.; Boucheron; Brown Goldsmiths & Co.; Bulgari; Cendres et Metaux S.A.; Colormasters Gem Corp.; Cunningham Fine Jewelry Inc.; D.N. Gems Corp.; Goodmans Jewelers Inc.; Helzberg Diamonds; Lazare Kaplan International Inc.; Leber Jeweler Inc.; Lux, Bond & Green; Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America; and Reis-Nichols Inc.

To read the full text of the CRJP Code of Practices or for a full list of members, visit www.responsiblejewellery.com.

September/October 2006 • Cameroon: Douala Days • Gem Artists vs. The Internet • News & Updates • In This Issue