Whether you’re preparing for your first certification or a recertification, a self-assessment is one of the most important tools to support you through the process.
As part of your certification journey, you are required to submit a self-assessment to your auditor prior to your audit. We have a self-assessment available for the Code of Practices (COP), Chain of Custody (COC), and the Laboratory-Grown Material Standard (LGMS), as well as a combined COP and LGMS self-assessment. However please note, you are welcome to use your own format if you choose. We have compiled answers to some common questions below to help you understand the self-assessment.
What is a self-assessment?
A self-assessment is a tool that helps you review your organisation’s practices against the relevant RJC standards before your audit. It enables you to identify which provisions apply to you, assess your compliance, record evidence, and highlight any gaps you might need to address before your audit.
What self-assessments are available?
We have self-assessments available for all our standards:
- Code of Practices (COP)
- Chain of Custody (COC)
- Laboratory-Grown Material Standard (LGMS)
- Combined COP and LGMS
Where can I find them?
All our self-assessments are available in the library, on our member portal.
What languages are the self-assessments available in?
These are currently available in: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
How do I use the self-assessment?
The self-assessment is an automated document and is designed to filter through and highlight all applicable provisions, and remove any not applicable to you, so you can begin assessing your conformance. To start using the document, begin by completing the “define your certification scope” tab which will filter the applicable sections in the document based on your scope. In the following tabs, you will be able to assess your conformity level for each applicable provision, including any evidence. You can use this process to identify where you have non-conformances, to then take corrective actions and address these gaps prior to the audit.
Why is submitting your self-assessment to your auditor required?
The self-assessment provides the auditor with an overview of your current level of conformity before the audit begins. Completing your self-assessment helps you to identify and address nonconformities prior to the audit. This can support a more efficient audit process and help the auditor to review any evidence and identify gaps before the audit, ultimately streamlining the process. For more information on how nonconformities are graded please visit Table 4 in the Member Certification Handbook document.
When does my self-assessment need to be submitted and to whom?
Your self-assessment needs to be submitted to your auditor and/or certification body at least one month prior to your audit or documentary review stage.
Can the RJC review my self-assessment?
The RJC can answer any questions about how to complete the self-assessment, how it works, and offer clarity on the relevant provisions. However, the RJC is unable to review your self-assessment document or provide guidance on the accuracy of responses as we are not involved in certification decisions, which remain the remit of your certification body.
My business is spread across multiple countries and covers various facilities/entities. How should we complete the self-assessment?
We recommend completing the minimum number of self-assessment workbooks needed to get a representative view of your entities/facilities and a suitable grading of conformity. Options include, for example:
- One workbook that covers all your facilities
- One workbook that covers your manufacturing facilities, and another that covers your retail business
- Separate workbooks that each cover one of your major retail brands
- One workbook for each region where there are significant differences in the relevant legislative requirements
Where can I find more information about the self-assessment?
Further information can be found in our Member Certification Handbook.
If you have any questions on the self-assessment, or technical queries around the standards, please contact our standards team: standards@responsiblejewellery.com
We’re here to support you!