CIBJO gives ‘comprehensive plan’ to promote responsible sourcing

The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) president, Gaetano Cavalieri, has outlined a “comprehensive” plan for promoting responsible sourcing practices during a plenary session at the 13th OECD Forum in Paris.   

The CIBJO president was speaking during a special session on the first day of the OECD forum at which select stakeholders provided details about current and updated projects. The session was moderated by Guus Houtluin, a senior advisor on trade issues at the European Action Service (EEAS).

In his presentation, the CIBJO president pointed to factors that molded CIBJO’s strategic approach. He pointed to how the industry is “overwhelmingly comprised” of SMEs, many of which are family-owned and run, which while on the one hand means that they are “more likely” to remain committed to the business over the long term, on the other hand many are “limited” in the amount of resources and personnel they can commit to detailed compliance systems.

He said: “This paradox has become more apparent over the past decade and a half, as awareness of responsible practices has grown, both among our members and our consumers. As an organisation, much of our attention has been concentrated on meeting the requirements of a socially aware business community, while trying to protect the fabric of our industry.”

The plan follows the release this January of the CIBJO’s Responsible Sourcing Blue Book, which provides a framework and guidance for ethically sourcing gems and precious metals responsibly in the jewellery sector. It references the OECD’s Due Diligence Guidance for minerals from high-risk areas, insists on compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and the World Diamond Council System of Warranties, and it supports the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

To support members of the jewellery industry in implementing the principles laid out in the responsible sourcing document, The CIBJO said it is now in the process of setting up an online platform that will educate them about the due diligence steps that should be taken, and at the same time will provide a set of downloadable tools and templates, which they can adapt for their use.

Cavalieri added: “An operating principle was that it would be inclusive, meaning that there is an expectation that the standards, guidelines and systems that it describes can reasonably be applied by all members of the industry, irrespective of size or financial capacity.”

“Our ultimate goal is to support the principles expounded by the OECD and to introduce them to thousands of companies in the jewellery supply chain, so creating environments in which those companies may responsibly trade and manage the minerals they use.”