Founded in 2005, the Responsible Jewellery Council is an international not-for-profit standards and certification organisation for the watch and jewellery industry. Members of the RJC commit to and are independently audited against the RJC Code of Practices – an international standard on responsible business practices for diamonds, gold and platinum group metals. The Code of Practices (COP) addresses human rights, labour rights, environmental impact, mining practices, product disclosure and many more important topics in the jewellery supply chain. RJC’s Chain-of-Custody Certification (CoC) for precious metals supports these initiatives and can be used as a tool to deliver broader Member and stakeholder benefit. Through the implementation of the COP and CoC members contribute towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 agenda.
IWC Schaffhausen first joined the Responsible Jewellery Council in 2012, after recognising the Council’s crucial role in upholding responsibility standards right across the global jewellery supply chain, in line with UN Guiding Principles of Business and Human Rights and OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Due Diligence Guidance. Ever since the brand has been adhering to the RJC’s Code of Practices (COP). In 2020, IWC led its sector by becoming the first luxury watchmaker to meet the more stringent COP standards introduced by the RJC in 2019. This revised code included stronger provisions for responsible business practices, activities and supply chain management. Today the Schaffhausen based watchmaker has attained a Chain-of-Custody (CoC) certification from the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) – a voluntary standard which certifies that the gold and platinum used in the company’s supply chain are fully traceable and responsibly sourced.
“As a company built on innovation, we are proud to once again be recognised by the RJC as a leading light for responsibility in the luxury watch industry. IWC makes watches that will tick sustainably across generations, and part of that promise is for our timepieces to be made responsibly from start to finish. We have always placed great importance on integrity, traceability and strive to maintain trusted long-term sourcing relationships. Reaching this milestone in our precious metals supply chain is testament to our efforts and those of our suppliers.” said Franziska Gsell, IWC Schaffhausen CMO and Sustainability Committee Chair.
Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director of the Responsible Jewellery Council added, “I would like to congratulate IWC on their RJC Chain of Custody certification. Integrating sustainability in your core business strategy is a process of continuous improvement. This key milestone shows their continued investment in responsible business practices. Our global and often complex supply chains, present both unique challenges and opportunities. We welcome IWC leadership and dedication in advancing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the 2030 Agenda.”
To find out more about how IWC manages its sourcing and supply chain with such care and to learn about its other sustainability targets, read the 2020 Sustainability Report here.
