The newest additions bring the total number of RJC members to more than 200 companies and trade associations.
“I am delighted that Chopard and HRD Antwerp have become members of the Responsible Jewellery Council,” said Michael Rae, the RJC’s chief executive officer (CEO).
“Chopard’s membership in the RJC will reinforce the council’s mission of responsible business practices amongst large and small industry players.”
Under the RJC system, companies must submit to third-party auditing to verify conformance to its Code of Practices (COP).
Chopard co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele says RJC’s mission falls in line with its own.
“By joining and supporting the Responsible Jewellery Council, Chopard underlines its strong commitment to corporate responsibility and integrity.”
In addition to its membership, HRD Antwerp says it is joining the RJC standards committee, which is tasked with developing standards for gemmological laboratories and assayers in 2010/2011.
“We are proud to be a member of RJC and look forward to working together to ensure the responsible and ethical advancement of the industry,” said HRD Antwerp general manager Georges Brys.
