GOALS
The requirements for establishing responsible business practices throughout the jewellery and watch supply chain, for companies handling laboratory grown materials
The LGMS is comprised of 28 provisions specifically designed to help companies achieve five broad objectives:
- To improve legal and regulatory compliance, strengthen public reporting and secure a commitment to responsible business practices.
- To increase the use of due diligence in supply chains to uphold human rights, support community development, promote anti-corruption efforts and manage sourcing risks.
- To adequately control, and disclose information about products and so avoid misleading or deceptive marketing practices.
- To protect the health and safety of both people and environments and to use natural resources efficiently.
- To better comply with international labour conventions and ensure responsible working conditions.
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how it works The LGMS can be applied to any size of business, and its scope includes all sectors of the laboratory grown material jewellery and watch supply chain
Achieving RJC Certified Member status is a key milestone, showcasing your commitment to responsible business and building trust in the industry. Once certified you may use the official RJC Certified Member logo.
New members have two years to become certified, with full support from the RJC. Members certified to COP 2019 before 1 Jan 2024 and dealing in lab-grown materials must complete a combined COP 2024/LGMS audit by 1 May 2026. Those certified as of 1 Jan 2024 must do so by 31 Dec 2026. For details, see the FAQ, the Member Certification Handbook, and the Certification Process Requirements for Certification Bodies and Auditors, available here.
Pre-certification activities
Complete your self-assessment and apply for a certification audit with an RJC audit firm. Share your completed self-assessment with them at least 1 month before the audit.
Evaluation
The auditor conducts an independent third-party certification audit on your organisation. COP 2024/LGMS audits are always combined.
Any nonconformities (NC) will be shared and discussed with you. You will be required to develop a Corrective Action Plan (CAP), make immediate corrections for all NCs and implement corrective actions, (for critical breaches and major NCs), before the certificate can be issued.
Report review & decision
The audit firm reviews your audit report, makes the certification decision and shares the report with you.
Certification
The audit firm shares the report with the RJC and issues your certificate (if RJC certification is achieved).
Congratulations!
You’re an RJC Certified Commercial Member. You can now use the official RJC Certified logo on all your communications and gain access to our Certified Member Toolkit for all promotional materials.
Surveillance
A surveillance audit will be required 12-18 months after the certification start date. Your auditor will agree a provisional date for this with you during the closing meeting of your audit and provide more information about the scope of this audit and whether it can be conducted remotely or on-site.
Re-certification
Provisionally schedule your re-certification audit with an RJC approved audit firm at the closing meeting of your surveillance audit. Re-certification is required prior to the expiry of your current certification, no more than six months in advance. The start date of the new certificate shall be the date of the certification decision or the day following the current certificate expiry date, whichever comes later.
If the recertification audit is not conducted within six months of the expiry of your current certification, this will result in your temporary suspension as an RJC member. COP 2024/LGMS audits are always combined.
Key dates for implementing the LGMS
2024 COP & COC Effective Date
On the 1st of January 2025, the fully revised 2024 Code of Practices and Chain of Custody became effective.
2025 LGMS Effective Date
On the 1st of May 2025, the new Laboratory Grown Materials Standard became effective.
New Certification Manuals Fully Implemented
On the 1st of July 2025, the new Member Certification Handbook and the Certification Process Requirements for Certification Bodies and Auditors became effective. This means any certification audit (including those conducted against the 2019 COP & 2017 COC, possible until 31st of December 2025) is conducted in accordance with the new handbooks, except COP 2019 mid-term reviews, bolt on audits, scope change and COC 2017 surveillance audits under existing certificates, that will follow the Assessment Manual 2020.
In addition, from this date members can undergo an audit against the 2024 COP, COC and 2025 LGMS.
No Certification Audits Conducted against 2019 COP & 2017 COC
From the 1st of January 2026, certification audits against the 2019 COP and 2017 COC can no longer be conducted, except COP 2019 mid-term reviews, bolt on audits, scope changes and COC 2017 surveillance audits under existing certificates, that will follow the Assessment Manual 2020.
LGMS Audits Must be Completed
RJC members last certified to COP 2019 before 1 January 2024 and dealing in LGMS must expand their scope and complete a combined COP 2024/LGMS by 1 May 2026, even if this means an early recertification against COP.
LGMS AUDITS MUST BE COMPLETED
RJC members last certified to COP 2019 after 1 January 2024 and dealing in LGMS must expand their scope and complete a combined COP 2024/LGMS by 31 December 2026, even if this means an early recertification against COP.
