Certification for Lab Grown Diamond
Retains
SCS Global Services to
Develop
Sustainability Certification
The
Lab Grown Diamond Council (LGDC) trade organization has retained an
internationally recognized third-party certifier and standards developer, SCS
Global Services (SCS), to create the first sustainability standard in the
diamond and jewelry market.
Certification
to this premier standard will involve a comprehensive assessment of the lab
grown diamond production process, compliance auditing, diamond testing, and
traceability, and will result in the issuance of SCS Sustainably Grown Diamond
certification mark. This consumer-focused mark will be geared toward
point-of-sale messaging and advertising.
“As
an industry, we recognize the high interest from consumers to be provided
valid, third-party verification of the sustainability and origin of products
they buy,” said Chris Casey, LGDC president. “An important early initiative as
an organization was to retain SCS to drive transparent reporting on the
sustainability of the lab grown diamond market.”
Like
other sustainability standards in the marketplace, the new standard will
address environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic
viability. Notably, it will also establish a cutting-edge climate neutrality
benchmark goal for participating companies, setting it uniquely apart.
“As
consumers increasingly choose lab grown diamonds, they want to be sure that
their choices match their values,” said Stanley Mathuram, SCS vice president,
headquartered in Emeryville, CA. “Certification to the Sustainably Grown
Diamond ¬standard will provide the scientifically robust reassurance that
consumers are looking for, demonstrating company performance in meeting rigorous
environmental and social requirements.”
The
development of the standard will involve input from a variety of stakeholders,
and will ensure compliance with all governmental regulations, from both a
technical and communication perspectives. Formal roll-out of the standard is
expected by the beginning of 2020, at which time producers will be eligible to
apply.
“Lab
grown diamonds are uniquely positioned in the diamond and jewelry market to
carry a sustainability standard,” said Casey, going on to say, “This standard
will clearly set the benchmark for transparent reporting.”
Once
certified, individual companies will be able to use the Sustainably Grown
Diamond label in communications to both the trade and consumer markets.
“The
Lab Grown Diamond Council has been created to bring programs such as the SCS
Sustainability Grown Diamond Standard to the market,” said Michael Barlerin,
LGDC chairman. “Our mission is to create increased market clarity about the
benefits of lab grown diamonds. This is a giant step in that process.”
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