Most companies will tell you they're certified to this standard or that framework - fewer will explain what that actually means. What do auditors examine? What evidence do they require? What separates genuine compliance from performative paperwork? Here's what RJC recertification looks like from the inside.

General Requirements cover legal compliance, policy frameworks, reporting systems, and financial accounts. This isn't bureaucratic box-ticking: auditors verify that we have documented management systems with clear accountability, that policies are communicated to workers and publicly available, and that we maintain proper records for a minimum of five years. Responsible Supply Chains and Human Rights examines how we vet business partners, conduct human rights due diligence, and manage sourcing from conflict-affected areas. This section has become significantly more rigorous - auditors want to see evidence of supplier risk assessments, KYC procedures for counterparties, and documented processes for identifying and addressing human rights impacts throughout our supply chain. Labour Rights and Working Conditions address employment terms, working hours, remuneration, harassment policies, child labour prevention, forced labour prohibition, freedom of association, non-discrimination, and diversity commitments. The 2024 standard added explicit requirements around diversity, equity, and inclusion that weren't in earlier versions. Health, Safety, and Environment covers occupational health and safety management systems, environmental risk assessments, hazardous substances handling, waste and emissions management, and natural resource use. The environmental provisions now include mandatory greenhouse gas emissions reporting for Scope 1 and Scope 2, with Scope 3 reporting for mining and mineral processing operations. Gold, Silver, Platinum, Diamond, and Colored Gemstone Products focus on product disclosure requirements, treatments, grading standards, and claims verification. The claims section has been substantially strengthened to prevent greenwashing and ensure that any provenance or sustainability claims we make can be independently verified. Responsible Mining and Mineral Processing apply to extraction and processing operations. While not all provisions apply to every member, the standard covers everything from tailings management to biodiversity protection to cultural heritage preservation.

When auditors examine our supply chain documentation, they're verifying that we can trace materials back to the source. They check whether our supplier vetting processes include the required due diligence steps, our training records to confirm that relevant personnel understand their responsibilities, and our complaints and grievance mechanisms to ensure workers can raise concerns without retaliation. For environmental provisions, they examine our energy consumption data, review our waste management procedures, and verify that we're monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions according to recognised standards. For health and safety, they check risk assessments, incident records, emergency response plans, and personal protective equipment protocols. The audit covers all facilities we own or control that contribute to our jewellery supply chain operations. We can't choose to have only our newest or best-performing site examined. It's comprehensive by design.

For supply chain due diligence, that means maintaining detailed records for every supplier relationship. We need to demonstrate that we've conducted appropriate KYC checks, assessed risks according to OECD guidance, and taken action when issues are identified. We need to show that our complaints and grievance mechanisms are accessible to affected communities and that we respond to concerns promptly. For labour rights, we maintain employment contracts, wage records, working hours logs, and training documentation. Auditors verify that workers actually receive the terms outlined in their contracts, that overtime is voluntary and properly compensated, and that grievance procedures are communicated and functional. For environmental management, we track energy consumption by source, quantify greenhouse gas emissions using recognised methodologies, monitor waste generation and disposal, and document our natural resource use. The data needs to be verifiable and consistent over time. For product claims, we need to substantiate any statements we make about sourcing, sustainability, or provenance. If we claim materials are responsibly sourced, we need systems to verify that claim at every stage of the supply chain. The 2024 standard requires that all provenance claims be independently verified during RJC audits and reviewed by RJC before use.

The key is demonstrating that when problems are identified, we address root causes rather than just symptoms. That might mean revising procedures, providing additional training, implementing new monitoring systems, or changing supplier relationships.

That's the difference between having a certificate and maintaining a certification. The audit validates work that happens every day, not work that happens because an audit is scheduled.

We're also saying that we do this work continuously, not just when audits are scheduled. The systems that satisfy RJC requirements are the same systems we use to manage risk, ensure quality, and build resilient supply chains. That level of verification assures that words like "responsible" and "sustainable" actually mean something measurable. In an industry where claims are easy to make and difficult to verify, independent certification backed by rigorous auditing creates accountability.

When evaluating potential partners, understanding what gets audited helps frame the right questions: • Can you document the provenance of materials? • What product safety protocols are in place? • What due diligence processes do you apply to suppliers? • How do you verify labour practices in your supply chain? • What environmental data do you track and report? • How are your sustainability claims verified? If a supplier can't answer these questions with specifics, it's worth asking why. If they claim they possess a certification, yet can't explain what that certification covers, dig deeper. If they talk about standards but can't point to the independent verification process, be sceptical.