War in Ukraine: Richemont and Pandora Quit RJC
March 30, 22
(IDEX Online) - The Richemont group and Pandora both announced today that they have quit the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) over its failure to take a strong enough stand against Russia.
Richemont, the Swiss-based company that counts Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Jaeger-leCoultre and Piaget among its 26 maisons, said: "If RJC cannot uphold highest of standards, then we cannot be part of that. That's why we stepped down."
Pandora, the Danish charm maker, quit the RJC after 12 years, citing its failure to suspend the membership of Russian companies.
"We are shocked and saddened by the unprovoked attack on Ukraine, and our thoughts go to the people of Ukraine, who are victims of this senseless act of military aggression, said CEO Alexander Lacik (pictured).
"The war requires all businesses to act with the utmost responsibility regarding any interactions or business dealings with Russia and Belarus. Pandora cannot in good faith be a member of an association that does not share our values."
Earlier this month Alrosa resigned its membership of the RJC. Peter Karakchiev, the company's head of international relations, was elected as RJC's vice chairman at its 2018 annual general meeting in Moscow. He has voluntarily stepped down and temporarily left the board of directors at RJC."
We have approached RJC for comment of the departures of Richemont and Pandora.