RJC Standards Committee meeting from October 16

The RJC accepted a new proposed definition of recycled materials 

Recently, the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) announces that the RJC Board has accepted a new proposed definition of recycled materials. The definition (including implementation guidance) will be communicated within the upcoming 2024 publication of the Chain of Custody (COC) standard in December. Chain of Custody standard 2017 (COC) defines an approach for companies to handle and trade gold, silver and platinum group metals in a way that is fully traceable and responsibly sourced. 

Additionally, RJC is ready to host their Standards Committee at the 2nd in-person meeting this year, which will take place from October 16-18 in London. This meeting will focus on finalising the Code of Practices (COP) standard and guidance, which is also set to be published in December.  

Code of Practices standard 2019 (COP) provides a common standard for ethical, social, human rights and environmental practices. The COP defines the requirements for establishing responsible business practices throughout the jewellery supply chain, from mine to retail.  

The RJC is grateful to the Standards Committee for all their time and dedication. In the board meeting hosted by the BJOP last week in Paris, it was decided that the RJC will extend several Standards Committee members terms until the end of 2025 to ensure continuity in what is a critically important implementation phase. Finally, a Strategic Task Force is being created to discuss emerging issues within the watch and jewellery industry pertinent to the mission of the RJC.  

The purpose of the STF is to assist the Board of Directors with its responsibilities for determining the RJC’s strategic direction, assessing initiatives and setting guidance and direction, and to support the Executive Director, Executive Committee and Board with respect to matters of strategic innovation.