The Responsible Jewellery Council, the international product stewardship organisation, has announced that its membership has grown to 130 companies and trade associations, throughout the diamond and gold jewellery supply chain.
RJC chief executive officer Michael Rae said the Council’s increasing membership base reflects the growing awareness of the importance of ethical, human rights, social and environmental performance in the jewellery industry.
“Reaching 130 members in these difficult economic conditions is a strong endorsement of the value of the RJC and its members’ commitment to promoting responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices throughout the industry from mine to retail,” he said.
Fifty-two new members, including Fred Meyer Jewelers, the Gemological Institute of America and Accurist Watches, have joined RJC in the first six months of this year.
“The biggest proportion of the RJC membership is now made up of small and medium sized companies, such as independent retailers and single-location diamond cutting operations,” he said.
The RJC, originally known as the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices, was formed in July 2005 with 14 founding members.
RJC Members are committed to promoting responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the industry from mine to retail.
The Council has developed the RJC System, a certification system – which will apply to all Members’ businesses that contribute to the diamond and gold jewellery supply chain.
For more information visit www.responsiblejewellery.com
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