The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the world’s leading standard-setting organization for the jewellery and watch industry, has officially inaugurated the term of its newly updated Standards Committee for 2026. This transition marks a pivotal milestone in the organization’s evolution, signaling a refined approach to governance, supply chain transparency, and global sustainability. By appointing a powerhouse team of industry veterans and non-industry experts, the RJC is positioning itself to navigate the increasingly complex intersection of ethics, environmental stewardship, and consumer protection.
A New Era of Leadership: The 2026 Appointments
At the heart of this transition are two newly appointed Co-Chairs who bring distinct, yet complementary, expertise to the table. Sara Yood, President & CEO of the Jewellers Vigilance Committee (JVC), assumes the role of Non-Industry Co-Chair. Her background as an authority on legal and regulatory compliance in the U.S. market is expected to fortify the RJC’s alignment with international law and rigorous due diligence frameworks.
Serving alongside her as the Industry Co-Chair is Eduard Stefanescu, Sustainability Manager at C.HAFNER GmbH + Co. KG. A geoscientist by profession, Stefanescu is a recognized leader in precious metals circularity and refining integrity. His appointment reflects the RJC’s commitment to grounding its standards in technical, scientific reality while maintaining a focus on the practicalities of the global supply chain.
Chronology: The Evolution of RJC Governance
The formation of this committee follows years of steady growth in the RJC’s certification uptake. Since its inception, the Council has moved from a niche compliance body to an industry-wide necessity.
- 2013-2020: The foundation years, where the RJC focused on establishing baseline standards for human rights and conflict-free sourcing.
- 2021-2024: A period of rapid maturation, characterized by the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and a heightened focus on the "Chain of Custody."
- 2025: A transitional year marked by the review of existing standards to ensure they remain "future-ready" and applicable to a volatile global economy.
- 2026: The launch of the current Standards Committee, tasked with translating high-level policy into actionable, measurable outcomes for over 20 million people employed in the gold and gemstone sectors.
The Strategic Vision: Why This Matters
The primary objective of the 2026 Standards Committee is to bridge the gap between "high-level standards" and "on-the-ground reality." In an era where consumers are increasingly skeptical of greenwashing and demand verifiable proof of ethical sourcing, the committee’s work has never been more critical.
The Human Element: Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM)
One of the most vocal members of the incoming committee, Marcin Piersiak, has highlighted the critical importance of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) sector. With over 20 million lives dependent on this industry, the RJC’s revised standards are not merely bureaucratic checklists; they are potential catalysts for poverty alleviation and community development. The committee’s goal is to ensure that jewellery companies move beyond simple principles to active engagement, fostering formalization and safety in mining communities.
Consumer Protection and Transparency
As noted by committee member Antonio Serra, the industry is currently undergoing a "transparency revolution." Consumers no longer accept opaque supply chains. The committee is tasked with ensuring that claims made by retailers—whether regarding carbon footprints, recycled content, or labour conditions—are backed by rigorous, standardized data that is communicated in ways that are clear and non-misleading.
Official Perspectives: Voices from the Committee
The strength of the RJC’s governance lies in its diversity. The following insights from committee members reveal the collaborative spirit driving the 2026 agenda:
Sara Yood (Non-Industry Co-Chair):
"As I step into the co-chair role, I am looking forward to continuing the complicated but rewarding work of updating and maintaining the various RJC standards. 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, and serving as one of those layers is a challenging yet gratifying exercise."
Eduard Stefanescu (Industry Co-Chair):
"My goal is to help RJC remain the frontrunner in developing standards and guidance that embed sustainability, ESG principles, and transparency. As the initiative representing the global jewellery and watch industry, RJC carries both a responsibility and an opportunity to address global challenges through standards that promote human and labour rights."
Alexander Gul (A. Gul KG):
"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. Our company has been part of the RJC community since 2013, and I’m genuinely motivated to help shape standards that are not only responsible but workable, meaningful, and future-ready."
Kessa Trowell (Retail Perspective):
"I am excited to collaborate with—and learn from—diverse voices across the watch and jewellery industry. I look forward to helping shape practical, forward-looking solutions that drive improvement, build trust, and strengthen the integrity of our industry as a whole."
Implications: A Future-Ready Industry
The implications of the 2026 Standards Committee’s work extend far beyond the jewellery box. By setting the bar high, the RJC influences how precious metals and stones are tracked across the globe.
1. Strengthening Market Credibility
As Ainsley Butler, former Joint Chair, observed, the growing demand for RJC certification is a testament to the credibility the organization has built. The committee’s continued focus on "continuous improvement" ensures that this credibility is not static but evolves alongside global expectations.
2. Standardizing Sustainability
With members like Renata Lawton Misra (Carbon Trust) and Monica Barcellos Harris (Conservation International) on the committee, the RJC is clearly signaling an intent to deepen its environmental commitments. The focus is shifting toward verifiable climate action, aligning the jewellery industry with the Paris Agreement and broader global sustainability goals.
3. A Culture of Constructive Dialogue
The inclusion of diverse voices—from independent consultants to representatives of major luxury conglomerates like Chanel, Bvlgari, and De Beers—creates a "melting pot" of perspectives. This variety is the committee’s greatest asset. By questioning assumptions and requiring members to contribute openly, the RJC ensures that its standards are not dictated by a single interest group, but are the product of genuine consensus.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
As the 2026 term begins, the RJC Standards Committee faces a landscape of unique challenges—ranging from the volatility of precious metal prices to the rising demand for ethical provenance. However, the depth of experience represented by the new members provides a solid foundation for progress.
The message from the committee is clear: transparency is the currency of the future. By maintaining rigorous, actionable standards, the RJC is not only protecting the integrity of the jewellery and watch industry but is also ensuring that the products sold to consumers today contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world tomorrow.
Appendix: 2026 Standards Committee Roster
Joint-Chairs
- Industry: Eduard Stefanescu (C.Hafner GmbH + Co. KG)
- Non-Industry: Sara Yood (Jewelers Vigilance Committee)
Industry 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)
- Wafa Jaffery (DMCC)
Non-Industry 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)
- Laurent Massi (Independent Consultant)
Guests of the Committee
- Francesco Giunta, Kesah Trowell, Kim Wenzel, Laure Williams, Marco Quadri.
