Global Brand; Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Joined Hands for Sustainable Practices in Jewellery & Watch Industry. Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the world’s leading standard-setting organization for the global jewelry and watch industry, today announced its latest progress report to showcase and encourage sustainability action throughout the supply chain. Findings show the number of new and renewing certified members increased globally to 1023, of which 222 organizations gained certification or recertification between January to December 2020. Citing collective action as an accelerant for change, the report was accompanied by a joint video titled ‘Create Beautiful’ featuring CEOs from some of the leading names in the jewelry and watch industry as well as special interest groups including ALROSA, Bvlgari, Cartier, De Beers, Diamonds Do Good, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, The Plumb Club, and the United Nations Global Compact. The report and video were announced in Cannes during Cannes Film Festival 2021, at ‘Ethical Gold’, an event hosted by the Better World Fund and supported by the United Nations Environment Programme planetGOLD.
Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director for Responsible Jewellery Council said, “Our latest progress report shows that the jewellery and watch industry shares an ambition to contribute to a better world. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demand a joined-up and collaborative approach from all parts of the jewellery and watch industry. RJC is committed to working with its members, industry organisations like the World Diamond Council and CIBJO, civil society, and government to energize action towards a more sustainable future for all.”
David Bouffard, Chair of Responsible Jewellery Council added, “We were there more than 15 years ago when the industry came together to change the way it does business. By introducing a common set of industry-wide standards, we have collectively shifted sustainability from an afterthought to a fundamental business management practice. By transforming our supply chains to be socially and environmentally responsible, we are deepening consumer trust and safeguarding the future of our industry.”
