RJC reaches a milestone – over 500 Members  

rjcLONDON – In its ninth year, RJC reached a milestone this month with over 500 Members, 363 of which are certified against the RJC Code of Practices (COP).

RJC Commercial Member companies and valued trade associations from around the world represent the diamond, gold and platinum metals jewellery supply chain.

After completion of a rigorous self-assessment process, all RJC Commercial Members commit to an independent third party audit to verify their conformance with RJC’s COP.

Over the first six months of 2014, RJC has seen a healthy growth in membership applications to reach 511 Members today. The Jewellery Manufacturer and/or Wholesaler’s Fora saw the most significant uptake over the last two quarters with a net 18% growth.

“An increase of 9.2% in Membership in the first two quarters of 2014 shows the growing commitment to ethical, responsible business practices in the jewellery industry. Businesses operating across the industry are keen to learn more about supply chain issues and demonstrate to their stakeholders how they act diligently. The tangible value of RJC’s standards and Member support and the credibility it provides to businesses of all sizes in the jewellery supply chain is attested to in RJC’s continued growth since its inception in 2005,” says Catherine Sproule, Chief Executive Officer – Interim.

RJC Members’ have more than 5900 facilities covered by Certification in more than 53 countries. In 2013, annual global jewellery sales to retail consumers were estimated at US$200 billion*. With Annual Relevant Sales (ARS) of RJC’s Commercial Members amounting US$52.1 billion (which includes combined intra-supply chain sales) and US$11.8 billion in retail sales, RJC Certification is connecting with a growing segment of retail jewellery sales.The RJC 2009 and 2013 COP are available in seven languages including English, French, Italian, Gujarati, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese.

*source: McKinsey and Company, February 2014

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