French jewelry manufacturer, Gay Frères, is the first member of the Responsible Jewellery Council to be certified against the ethical, human rights, social and environmental standards as established by the organization’s Member Certification System.
RJC is an international not‐for‐profit organization of more than 240 companies committed to promoting responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the jewelry industry from mine to retail. Gay Frères’ RJC Member Certification results from a successful verification assessment conducted by Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. (STR), an international audit firm based in Enfield, Conn.
“This important milestone builds on five years of sustained effort by the RJC’s members to create the independent third party RJC Member Certification System applicable from mine to retail,” said Matt Runci, RJC’s chairman. “RJC Certified members have the benefit of recognition against an international certification system, supporting their own reputations and enhancing consumer confidence in the jewelry supply chain.”
Founded in 1835, Gay Frères is a manufacturer and supplier of European jewelry brands, employing 300 people and producing 1,000 jewelry pieces on a daily basis.
“We are most proud to be the first RJC Member to achieve this important certification and we encourage others within the industry to follow suit so that they too can evidence responsible business practices,” said Claude Schlappi, Gay Frères’s director.