Responsible Jewellery Council Audits

RJC is the global membership and standards body for responsible jewellery throughout the entire supply chain – from mine to retail for the jewellery and watch industry.

Introduction of the service:

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) is the global membership and standards body for validating responsible jewellery practices throughout the entire supply chain – from mining to retail. RJC’s ‘Code of Practice’ references key development frameworks, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Labour Organization (ILO) Principles, UN Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

RJC’s standards enable organizations to integrate responsible business practices into their management systems and daily operations. There are two standards available to RJC members: RJC Code of Practices (CoP) and RJC Chain of Custody (CoC). Through the adherence of the Code of Practices, members contribute towards the United Nations 2030 agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

How does it work:

DNV has been accredited by RJC to audit its RJC Code of Practices (CoP) and RJC Chain of Custody (CoC) standards in accordance with Signet Responsible Sourcing Protocol (SRSP).

The CoP provides a common standard for ethical, social, human rights and environmental practices, while the CoC outlines an approach for businesses to manage and trade gold, silver, and platinum group metals in a fully traceable and responsibly sourced manner.

DNV provides both of these services, backed by a team of expert auditors and extensive industry knowledge. We currently offer RJC services in India, Sri Lanka, and the Middle east.

Certification process:

Before embarking on the RJC certification journey the organization has be the member of RJC. The steps for the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) audit certification process:

1. Self-assessment:

The RJC member conducts a self-assessment to evaluate their practices against RJC standards. This involves completing a self-assessment workbook to identify areas needing improvement and gathering necessary documents.

2. Certification audit:

Engage an RJC-accredited audit firm to perform the certification audit. The auditors will review the self-assessment workbook, visit the member’s facilities, and assess compliance with RJC standards.

3. Reporting:

The auditor prepares a report detailing the findings of the audit, including any non-conformances and areas for improvement and sends it to the member for approval. Once approved, the report will be sent to the RJC.

4. Certification decision:

The RJC reviews the audit report and decides for completeness and clarity and based on the report’s findings and decides whether to certify the member based on the auditor’s recommendations. If certified, the member receives a certificate valid for three years is given a unique RJC certification number and is listed on the RJC website.

5. Periodic reviews:

During the certification period, the member must undergo mid-term reviews and surveillance audits to ensure ongoing compliance with RJC standards.

6. Re-certification:

Before the certificate expires, the member must undergo a re-certification audit to maintain their certified status.

How DNV can help:

DNV assists organizations in advancing their compliance journey by auditing them against the CoP and CoC standards. Through verification and adherence to these standards, aligned with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ILO Principles, UN Global Compact, Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), and applicable local laws, organizations can take significant steps forwards.

To learn more, book a meeting with us today.