core sector communique

CARTIER CERTIFIED BY THE RESPONSIBLE JEWELLERY COUNCIL LONDON -

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) today announced that Cartier, a founding Member of the Council, has become certified against the ethical, human rights, social and environmental standards established by the RJC’s Member Certification System. Founded in 1847, Cartier is one of the world’s most esteemed houses of luxury, designing and manufacturing exclusive collections of fine jewellery, wristwatches and prestige accessories, distributed through approximately 300 Cartier boutiques worldwide. “The RJC warmly congratulates Cartier on becoming the second RJC Certified Member. Cartier’s RJC Member Certification results from a successful verification assessment conducted by SGS, a highly regarded and international auditing company accredited by RJC in July 2010. Cartier now occupies a unique position to act as a role model within the international jewellery industry,” says Michael Rae, RJC’s Chief Executive Officer. All Commercial Members of the RJC have committed to be audited by accredited, third party auditors to verify the company’s conformance with the RJC’s Code of Practices and become certified within two years of joining the RJC. The RJC Member Certification System is unmatched in any other industry for the quality and breadth of its scope and standards and the integrity and transparency of its developmental process. “Since 1847, the Cartier Maison has embodied a tradition of excellence, a tradition which has become our duty. This duty of excellence in our creations, savoir-faire and quality of service also extends to the way in which we conduct our activities - ethically, socially, and environmentally. This is what drove our decision to co-found the RJC in 2005. We believe the RJC standard is a powerful and effective way to drive positive change through the jewellery supply chain from mining all the way to retail,” says Bernard Fornas, Cartier’s President and CEO. Cartier is also a ‘citizen of the world’ present on all continents, committed to promoting contemporary art through the Foundation Cartier, an initiator of ethical standards in the jewellery industry with the Responsible Jewellery Council, and at the forefront of the fight against international counterfeiting.

About RJC The Responsible Jewellery Council is an international not-for-profit organisation bringing together more than 260 member companies committed to promoting responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the jewellery industry from mine to retail. Their commitment aims to reinforce consumer and stakeholder confidence in diamond, gold and platinum metals jewellery products.

The Council has developed the RJC Member Certification System, a certification system – which will apply to all Members’ businesses that contribute to the diamond, gold and platinum metals jewellery supply chain. All Commercial Members of the RJC are required to be audited by accredited, third party auditors to verify their conformance with the RJC’s Code of Practices and become certified under the RJC Member Certification System.