RJC seminar at Basel focuses on Responsible Sourcing

Responsible sourcing is the main theme for discussion at a seminar hosted by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) at the Baselworld fair on March 27. The session, titled “Responsible Sourcing: How the new RJC code of practices and key industry initiatives support a responsible supply chain,” will gather manufacturers, retailers, RJC members, prospective members and key stakeholders.

Welcomed by James Courage, RJC's chairman, and moderated by RJC’s interim CEO, Catherine Sproule, the panel is comprised of industry speakers. Challenges and responses around responsible sourcing from mine to retail, conflict minerals initiatives and synthetic diamonds will be addressed.

Participants will hear Fiona Solomon, RJC's director of standards development, summarize the new RJC code of practices 2013, with a focus on provenance claims and human rights due diligence. The head of trade promotion of the state secretariat for economic affairs, SECO, Hans-Peter Egler, will discuss sourcing programs with mining companies. Representatives from member organizations will continue on with the theme, led by Nawal Ait-Hocine giving her views from a luxury brand perspective.

The importance of harmonization and collaboration across standards and initiatives to create operational efficiencies will be discussed from a producer and from a retailer’s perspective with Feriel Zerouki of the De Beers Group and Philip Olden, Consultant to Signet Jewelers Ltd. And Stephen Morisseau of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will address the topic of synthetic diamonds from a laboratory perspective.

“Conflict minerals legislation, synthetic diamonds and a keen focus on corporate social responsibility is collectively driving increased due diligence in the jewelry supply chain. Our members are committed to RJC’s vision of a responsible global jewelry and watch supply chain. The panel is a representation of the supply chain and each bring expertise and knowledge of supply chain issues at respective touch points,” said Sproule.