RJC Member Certification • COC 2017 • Responsible Jewellery Council

chain of custody standard (coc)

Defines an approach for companies to handle and trade gold, silver and platinum group metals in a way that is fully traceable and responsibly sourced

goals

The COC Standard, defines the requirements for creating a COC of precious metals that are responsibly produced, processed and traded through jewellery supply chains

The COC has three main objectives:

The COC standard defines an approach for companies to handle and trade gold, silver and platinum group metals in a way that is fully traceable and responsibly sourced.
RJC COC certification gives customers and suppliers the assurance they need about how your products and materials have been sourced, traced, and processed through the supply chain, from mine to retail.
COC certification provides a point of differentiation for companies and their stakeholders in the precious metal supply chains, this can add value to jewellery products and help protect and enhance jewellery brands.

how it works

The COC can be applied to any size of business, and its scope includes all sectors of the gold, silver and platinum group metals

To achieve COC certification is a major milestone in your sustainability journey. It demonstrates your commitment to responsible jewellery and promotes trust in the watch and jewellery supply chain. Our COC certification provides you with a guarantee of the integrity of your products and materials – allowing you to tell the complete story about how they were sourced, traced and processed, from mine to retail. This certification is voluntary for RJC members.

Step 1: Self-Assessment

Use the RJC Chain of Custody self-assessment tool to monitor your progress with compliance and get ready for your audit.

Step 2: Audit

When you are ready, schedule your audit with an RJC accredited auditor.

Find an RJC Accredited Auditor

Step 3: Report

Your auditor will share their findings with you. Any non-conformances (NC) will be discussed and you will be required to develop a Corrective Action Plan (CAP).

Minor NC: 3 year certification awarded
Major NC: 1 year certification awarded

Step 4: Certification Decision

Congratulations!

You are now certified against the RJC Chain of Custody Standard.

Step 5: Surveillance Audit

Members are required to have a surveillance audit to ensure ongoing compliance with the Chain of Custody standard.

Step 6: Re-Certification

Schedule your re-certification audit with an RJC accredited auditor.

Re-certification is required prior to the expiry of your current certification but no more than four months in advance. To qualify for continuous certification with no gaps between certifications, members must ensure that their re-certification audit (on-site componenet) is completed within 4 months prior to the expiry of their previous certification.

Members who complete their re-certification audit early, (more than 4 months before the expiry of their previous certification), will have their new certification issued on the day it is approved by RJC. This may result in early expiration of their previous certification.

Members who complete their re-certification late (anytime after the expiry of their previous certification), will have their new certification issued on the day it is approved by RJC, resulting in a gap between certifications cycles.

Member certification validity dates are published on our website. Search the RJC member register.

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Dive deeper in to the COC standard

Library of standards, guidance, toolkits and handbooks to help you achieve your RJC certification.

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development

Catch up on revisions and changes

Regular reviews of our standards ensures they remain fit for purpose. The RJC Code of Practices was revised in 2019, its next revision started in 2024. The RJC Chain-of-Custody standard was revised in 2017. Its next revision was due in 2022, and is currently underway.