Third Chain of Custody Discussion Papers Released
June 26, 11(IDEX Online News) – The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) on Friday released its third discussion papers on Chain-of Custody Certification for public comment. The CoC Certification system aims to enable businesses to demonstrate rigorous assurance for responsible, conflict-free supply chains for diamonds, gold and platinum metals.
The latest draft addresses more directly the proposed rules for implementation of Section 1502 of the United States’ Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
The public is invited to comment on the draft until August 22.
“The jewelry industry understands the importance of being able to substantiate claims to customers about the chain-of custody, or provenance, of jewelry,” said Michael Rae, RJC’s CEO.
“These discussion papers respond to the many valuable contributions made by jewelry industry and non-industry stakeholders to the second round of consultation on the proposed Chain-of-Custody Standard, which was held between September 2010 and February 2011,” Rae added.
The current comment period is part of an open and transparent, multi-stakeholder standards development process. The standards development process is overseen by the RJC Standards Committee, which is comprised of representatives of RJC Members drawn from across the jewelry supply chain from mine to retail, the RJC said in a release.
Businesses wishing to become RJC CoC Certified would be audited by RJC accredited, independent, third party auditors.
The CoC papers are available here.
More information on RJC Standards Development is available here, the Standards Committee here and the RJC Consultative Panel here.