This section contains material and links relevant to the Council, responsible business practices and the diamond and gold jewellery supply chain. Please let us know if you have resources that may be of general interest to Council Members and stakeholders.
Presentations
Introduction to the Responsible Jewellery Council (724kb PDF)
Related standards initiatives
The RJC System aims to build on related standards initiatives. Codes, standards and initiatives referenced in the Code of Practices include:
- Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at the Local Level (APELL) for Mining
- Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
- The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) regulations for product integrity and disclosure
- Essential Guide to Implementing the Kimberley Process, by the World Diamond Council
- Ethical Trading Initiative
- Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
- Financial Action Task Force standards against Money Laundering and the finance of terrorism
- Global Reporting Initiative
- International Cyanide Management Code for the Gold Mining Industry
- International Diamond Council Rules for Grading Polished Diamonds (2008)
- International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards
- International Labour Organisation
- Kimberley Process Certification Scheme
- SA8000 Certification
- UNEP Global Mercury Partnership
- United Nations Global Compact
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights
- World Bank Group Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines
- World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species
- World Diamond Council
- World Heritage Convention
Other related standards initiatives
The following initiatives have interests in common with the Council:
- Alliance for Responsible Mining
- Diamond Development Initiative
- Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance
- International Council on Mining and Metals
- International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling (ISEAL) Alliance
Supply chain guidance for conflict-affected and high-risk areas
Conflict-affected areas present specific challenges to, and incentives for, the implementation of responsible business practices. The following guidance and tools have been published for companies:
- UN Global Compact & Principles for Responsible Investment – Guidance on Responsible Business Practices in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: a resource for companies and investors (July 2010)
- Global Witness – Do No Harm: A guide for companies sourcing from the DRC
(July 2010) - International Alert – Red Flags: Liability Risks for Companies Operating in High-Risk Zones (2008)
Related Research
- Luxury: Considered - a global report authored by Ledbury Research, on behalf of the De Beers Group, reveals new, more sophisticated purchase drivers in the global luxury industry in developed markets, including a heightened awareness of social and environmental responsibility. A full copy of the report can be downloaded at www.DeBeersGroup.com