After Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KP), now the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has become a centre of criticism with publication of a report by 'Earthworks' titled 'More Shine than Substance' recently. 'Earthworks' is a voluntary organization committed to protecting people and the environment from the influences of irresponsible mineral and energy development while seeking sustainable solutions. The groups responsible for releasing 'More Shine than Substance' report include the trade union federation IndustriALL, which embodies 50 million workers globally, United Steelworkers, CFMEU Australia and environmental support groups Earthworks and MiningWatch Canada. The report directly targets the RJC by alleging: "Some of its standards are fragile and they violate widely accepted social and environmental values. Under the present RJC Code, mining companies can operate in conflict zones, fail to protect workers' rights to join unions and permit laborer as young as 14 to work. It also fails to put limits on water and air pollution and allows toxic waste disposal into lakes and ocean environments." The report has documents to show that RJC's certification system offers little in the way of real solutions to the serious human rights, labor and environmental problems. Though the RJC has on its Board of Directors leading industry representatives but does not have any representative from impacted communities, labor or environmental organizations. This omission is in sharp dissimilarity to other, stronger certification systems such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The report further alleges that the RJC certification fails to create responsible jewellery and its certification system misleads jewellery consumers.
Earthworks' No Dirty Gold Campaign Director Ms. PayalSampat says, "Jewellery is meant to enhance our spirits. But it loses its worth if it is made of gold or diamonds that are tainted by human rights abuses or environmental ruin. But unfortunately, RJC's Certification System cannot guarantee consumers that the gems and precious metals that pass through its System have not come at the cost of community health or clean environment." General Secretary of IndustriALL Mr. JyrkiRaina says, "RJC cannot shine image of gold and diamonds by keeping worker and community representatives off the board. When the industry sets its own standards and certifies compliance, it is like having the fox guarding the henhouse! How can consumers have faith in such a System?" RJC was quick to respond. Clarifying its stand in a Release it says, "RJC's Standards Committee is a multi-stakeholder body comprising of civil society representatives who are experts in policy framing and experienced in implementation of human rights, development, labor and environmental issues. RJC certifies only companies and not individual facilities to encourage wider uptake of the RJC Code of Practices." Meanwhile, RJC has decided to conduct a formal review of its Code of Practices (COP) and has asked its stakeholders to send their feedbacks on a final draft of the proposed changes. It has also solicited from stakeholders their suggestions on the Standards Guidance, as its chapters have been expressively revised to provide more detailed implementation guidance for businesses, including small business. Prominent changes include requirements that have been associated with the United Nations' Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and also provisions for grading and appraisal, buying from conflict-free areas and from artisanal and small-scale mining. It would be quite interesting to note what feedbacks the RJC gets from its stakeholders and how far it amends the COP when it finalizes its review for the final quarter of 2013.
