The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the leading global standard-setting organization for the jewellery and watch supply chain, has officially inaugurated its newly updated Standards Committee for the 2026 term. This transition marks a pivotal milestone in the organization’s governance evolution, signaling a deepened commitment to integrating sustainability, transparency, and ethical rigor across the global precious metals and gemstone markets.
The appointment of a new leadership duo—Sara Yood as Non-Industry Co-Chair and Eduard Stefanescu as Industry Co-Chair—represents a strategic move to balance technical regulatory expertise with deep-rooted industry operational knowledge. As the RJC continues to expand its influence, this committee is tasked with the complex responsibility of refining the frameworks that dictate how the world’s most prestigious luxury brands and raw material suppliers conduct their business.
The Core Mandate: Governance in a Changing Global Landscape
The RJC Standards Committee is the engine room of the organization. Its primary function is to maintain, review, and evolve the RJC Code of Practices (COP) and the Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard. These documents serve as the global benchmarks for responsible business conduct, covering everything from human rights and labor standards to environmental impact and anti-money laundering protocols.
The 2026 term arrives at a moment of significant external pressure. With increased global scrutiny on supply chain transparency, the "right to know" for modern consumers, and the urgency of the climate transition, the new committee is stepping into a role that is far more than administrative. It is a position of global advocacy.
A New Era of Leadership
The selection of the new Co-Chairs reflects the RJC’s dual-focus strategy:
- Sara Yood (Non-Industry Co-Chair): As the President & CEO of the Jewellers Vigilance Committee (JVC), Yood brings a formidable background in legal compliance and consumer protection. Her work in the U.S. market has long been a bellwether for industry integrity. By appointing an expert in regulatory frameworks, the RJC is reinforcing its alignment with international law and due diligence frameworks.
- Eduard Stefanescu (Industry Co-Chair): Serving as the Sustainability Manager at C.HAFNER GmbH + Co. KG, Stefanescu represents the technical side of the industry. His background as a Geoscientist, combined with his leadership roles in the European and German Precious Metals Federations, ensures that the committee remains grounded in the realities of refining, recycling, and circular economy innovation.
Chronology: The Evolution of RJC Standards Governance
The formation of the 2026 Committee is not an isolated event but the culmination of a decade-long trajectory of institutional growth.
- 2013–2018: Foundation Building: During this period, the RJC focused on establishing the baseline for certification, moving from a niche initiative to a global necessity for reputable jewellery houses.
- 2019–2022: Scaling and Refinement: The committee shifted its focus toward the "nuance" of the standards, recognizing that high-level principles were insufficient without granular, actionable guidance.
- 2023–2025: Integration and Impact: The RJC began emphasizing the "on-the-ground" impact of its standards, particularly concerning Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) and the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
- 2026 and Beyond: The current term is defined by a mandate for "future-readiness"—ensuring that standards are not just reactive to crises but proactive in shaping a sustainable future for the jewellery sector.
Supporting Data: Why This Committee Matters
The jewellery and watch industry is a multi-trillion-dollar ecosystem. The importance of the Standards Committee is underscored by the sheer scale of the challenges it addresses:
- ASM Engagement: Over 20 million people worldwide rely on artisanal and small-scale gold and gemstone mining. The committee’s work in formalizing these supply chains is a critical component of global poverty alleviation and conflict prevention.
- Regulatory Alignment: As governments in the EU and North America tighten laws regarding supply chain transparency (such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive), the RJC standards act as a vital bridge for members to maintain compliance.
- Consumer Trust: Studies consistently show that younger consumers—Gen Z and Millennials—are increasingly making purchase decisions based on ethical provenance. The committee’s work ensures that when a retailer makes a claim, it is backed by a robust, audit-verified framework.
Official Perspectives: Voices from the Committee
The transition of the committee has prompted reflection among both outgoing and incoming members.
On the Complexity of Standard-Setting
Sara Yood, the incoming Non-Industry Co-Chair, noted the invigorating nature of the task:
"Not everyone would be excited to review and revise such a dense text, but I find the process invigorating. We know that the nuance of the text is vitally important to the businesses that rely on it, but many may not fully grasp just how many hands it passes through before approval."
On the "Bridge" Between Policy and Reality
Alexander Gul, who is entering his second year on the committee, emphasized the practical necessity of the work:
"What I’m most looking forward to is helping bridge the gap between high-level standards and the realities of how our industry actually operates… I’m genuinely motivated to help shape standards that are not only responsible but workable, meaningful, and future-ready."
The Call for Collective Action
Outgoing Joint Chair Ainsley Butler offered sage advice to the new cohort:
"The committee succeeds because of its diversity of expertise, so don’t underestimate the value of your perspective. Participate fully and without hesitation. Our work has benefited enormously from constructive debate."
Implications: The Path Forward for the Industry
The implications of this new committee’s work are wide-reaching. For the average RJC member, the 2026 term will likely bring:
- Increased Clarity: A push for simpler, more direct language in standards to ensure they are interpreted correctly by SMEs and multinational corporations alike.
- Enhanced Reporting: A focus on how sustainability claims are communicated to the final consumer, ensuring that "greenwashing" is mitigated through rigorous verification.
- Sustainability Integration: A deepening of ESG requirements, with a specific focus on the circular economy and decarbonization within the refining and manufacturing sectors.
The presence of experts like Marcin Piersiak (Alliance for Responsible Mining) and Antonio Serra Cambaceres (Consumer Protection) suggests that the committee will not remain siloed within industry interests. Instead, it is set to become a truly cross-functional body that balances the commercial needs of the watch and jewellery trade with the moral imperatives of human rights, environmental protection, and consumer advocacy.
The 2026 Standards Committee: A Full Roster
The committee is composed of a diverse array of professionals, ensuring that every facet of the supply chain—from the mine to the retail counter—is represented.
Industry Representatives
- Joint-Chair: Eduard Stefanescu (C.HAFNER GmbH + Co. KG)
- Members: Alexander Gul (A. Gul KG), Alethea Inns (Geological Science International), Ben Ronca (Leach Garner), Charlene Nemson (Hermes), Donald Bray (Fura Gems), Marie-Charlotte Drusene Chancogne (Chanel), Melanie Mater (De Beers Group), Noora Jamsheer (Danat), Phillipe Telouk (SAAMP), Raluca Anghel (Natural Diamond Council), Silvia Bezzone (Bvlgari Group/LVMH Italia), Valerie Michel (Rosy Blue), and Wafa Jaffery (DMCC).
Non-Industry Representatives
- Joint-Chair: Sara Yood (Jewellers Vigilance Committee)
- Members: Abbi Buxton (Independent Consultant), Antonino Serra Cambaceres (Consumer Protection Expert), Chris Vandome (Chatham House), Maggie Gabos (Responsible Minerals Initiative), Marcin Piersiak (Alliance for Responsible Mining), Monica Barcellos Harris (Conservation International), Professor Gavin Hilson (Surrey Business School), Renata Lawton Misra (Carbon Trust), and Laurent Massi (Independent Consultant).
Committee Guests
The committee is further supported by an expert group of guests, including Francesco Giunta, Kesah Trowell, Kim Wenzel, Laure Williams, and Marco Quadri, who bring additional specialized insights to the table.
As the industry looks toward the next phase of its evolution, the RJC Standards Committee stands as a testament to the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration. By bridging the gap between high-level ethics and the day-to-day realities of global trade, these individuals are not merely writing policies; they are writing the future of the global jewellery industry.
