core sector communique

RJC ANNOUNCES METALOR USA REFINING IS FIRST TO ACHIEVE CHAIN OF CUSTODY CERTIFICATION

LONDON - The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) today announced that Metalor USA Refining is the first refiner and Member in the Council’s membership to be certified against the new RJC Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard. This certification complements Metalor’s achievement last year as the first refiner to be certified against RJC’s ethical, human rights, social and environmental standards established in the RJC Member Certification system.

“Since releasing the RJC’s CoC at the Basel Fair in March, the RJC is most pleased to see Metalor’s rapid uptake of the CoC standard. The Council warmly congratulates the USA operation on this significant achievement. Metalor USA Refining’s CoC Certification results from a successful verification assessment conducted by UL-Responsible Sourcing, a highly regarded and international auditing company accredited by RJC,” says Michael Rae, RJC’s Chief Executive Officer.

“We are pleased to further our corporate Responsible Refining initiative by successfully obtaining the RJC’s CoC certification," says Larry Drummond, President, Metalor USA Refining. "We see the RJC Certification system and its new Chain of Custody Standard as both guiding and verifying our commitment to meet increasing demands for social responsibility throughout supply chains, from raw materials to retail sales. We encourage all RJC Members to pursue RJC CoC certification.”

About RJC

The Responsible Jewellery Council is an international not-for-profit organisation bringing together more than 370 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 group 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 group 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. A full list of its Members can be found on the web at www.responsiblejewellery.com

About Metalor USA Refining

Metalor USA Refining is part of Metalor Technologies USA, the North American segment of Metalor International SA, a leading global refiner of precious metals, accredited for Good Delivery worldwide and an Official Referee of the London Bullion Market Association. Metalor refineries provide gold and silver to the jewellery industry, banks and financial institutions, and to electronics applications through its Refining and Advanced Coatings Divisions in Europe, North America and Asia. Metalor has also been a major contributor of expertise and resources to governments and industry initiatives that advance social responsibility on the part of multinational business enterprises.