RJC Officials meet GJEPC and BDB representatives

A delegation of senior officials from the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), which included Chairman James Courage (Platinum Guild International); Honorary Treasurer Feriel Zerouki (De Beers Group); and its new Chief Executive Officer Ashish Deo, met with representatives of the GJEPC and the Bharat Diamond Bourse.
Deo outlined RJC’s Mission, Vision & Values that were revised last year prior to RJC launching its new Code of Practices. “These re-vitalised statements emphasise pipeline integrity and a respect for human rights across the global jewellery supply chain”, he said.
Since its launch in 2005, the RJC had made considerable progress. Today, the body has almost 550 members spread across 50 countries; and includes both large and small companies from different segments of the supply chain. 
As part of its future plans, RJC intends to maximise its coverage and impact in existing sectors – gold, platinum and diamonds – over the next 18-24 months; and to examine and review the opportunities in other sectors like coloured gemstones.
The GJEPC in turn requested that RJC put up Compliance Guidance Notes on its website as currently there was little clarity on the issue. An important point raised by those at the meeting centred on creating a level playing field, which some felt does not exist today.

Aruna Gaitonde, Rough & Polished correspondent in India