CIBJO's Position Statement on CRJP

Following the two-day meeting of CIBJO's Executive Committee in Milan last week, (reported on IDEX Online, November 10) and the resolution taken on the issue of re-engaging CRJP, the meeting also formulated the following ‘Position Statement Regarding Future Negotiations with CRJP.’

“CIBJO will call on CRJP to enact structural changes that make it accessible to all members of the jewellery, gemstones, pearls and precious metals sectors who abide by accepted ethical business standards. These structural changes should include the following:  

a. CRJP should trace its authority to the support of the rank and file of the jewellery, gemstones, pearls and precious metals sectors, which is embodied in those international organisations whose officials have been elected to represent their interests.

b. Membership in CRJP, or accreditation by CRJP, should be offered to any industry participant that meets CRJP’s better business standards. Membership or accreditation should not be withheld because of unreasonable financial prerequisites, unreasonable operational prerequisites, or because CRJP itself only has the means to process and maintain a limited number of members. Furthermore, the definition of what exactly are reasonable and unreasonable financial and operational prerequisites should be approved by the representative organisations in the international industry.

c. In defining the requirements for CRJP membership or accreditation, the methods of reporting, the systems of monitoring and the formula by which financial obligations are met, it should be recognized that a single, universal set of rules cannot be implemented. A more complex set of formulae should to be created, which will account for the size of a company, the type of business in which it is involved, and the conditions under which it operates.”