The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the leading global authority on standards for the jewellery and watch supply chain, has officially inaugurated the term of its newly updated Standards Committee for 2026. This transition marks a pivotal milestone in the organization’s governance strategy, signaling a refined commitment to transparency, sustainability, and ethical business conduct in an era of heightened consumer scrutiny and complex global supply chains.
The appointment of this new committee—a diverse collective of industry titans, sustainability advocates, legal experts, and academic researchers—underscores the RJC’s ongoing mission to bridge the gap between high-level ethical frameworks and the operational realities of the global jewellery trade.
The Core Mandate: Standards as the Bedrock of Trust
At the heart of the RJC’s operations lies the Standards Committee, the body responsible for the development, review, and maintenance of the organization’s rigorous codes of conduct. As of 2026, the committee has been reshaped to include a broader spectrum of voices, reflecting the industry’s evolution toward circularity, human rights due diligence, and environmental stewardship.
The committee’s primary directive remains clear: to ensure that RJC standards are not merely aspirational documents but actionable, workable protocols that can be applied from the mine site to the retail counter. By fostering a collaborative environment, the committee aims to harmonize the often-divergent interests of large-scale retailers, artisanal miners, and precious metal refiners.
Leadership Transition: A New Era for Governance
The RJC has announced two pivotal appointments for the Co-Chair positions, balancing industry expertise with non-industry oversight.
Sara Yood: Bridging Law and Integrity
Sara Yood, President & CEO of the Jewellers Vigilance Committee (JVC), assumes the role of Non-Industry Co-Chair. Recognized as a premier authority on jewellery industry regulations and consumer protection, Yood brings a deep understanding of the U.S. market’s legal landscape. Her appointment signifies a strategic focus on international law and the integrity of the retail supply chain.
"As I step into the co-chair role, in which I serve in my personal capacity, I am looking forward to continuing the complicated but rewarding work of updating and maintaining the various RJC standards," Yood stated. She emphasized that the process of refining these texts—often seen as dense or technical—is in fact an "invigorating" exercise in ensuring that the nuance of the standard effectively protects both businesses and consumers.
Eduard Stefanescu: Innovating for Sustainability
Representing the industry side, Eduard Stefanescu, Sustainability Manager at C.HAFNER GmbH + Co. KG, steps in as the Industry Co-Chair. A geoscientist by profession, Stefanescu is a veteran in precious metals recycling and supply-chain integrity. His leadership is expected to drive the RJC’s efforts in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles and the circular economy.
"The RJC carries both a responsibility and an opportunity to address global challenges through standards that promote human and labour rights," Stefanescu noted. "My goal is to help RJC remain the frontrunner in developing standards and guidance that embed sustainability, while encouraging constructive dialogue across the industry."
Chronology and Evolution of the Committee
The formation of the 2026 committee did not happen in a vacuum. It is the culmination of years of iterative progress within the RJC.
- 2013–2018: The early phase of RJC expansion saw the implementation of core auditing frameworks. During this period, the committee focused on establishing a baseline for business ethics.
- 2019–2023: A pivot toward supply chain transparency, particularly concerning diamond traceability and precious metal provenance. This era saw an increase in the participation of NGOs and academics to provide independent oversight.
- 2024–2025: The "Modernization Phase," during which the RJC overhauled its standard-setting process to incorporate more direct feedback from artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) stakeholders and consumer protection experts.
- 2026: The launch of the new committee, characterized by a deliberate mix of veteran members who provide continuity and new voices that bring fresh perspectives on digital compliance and environmental impact.
Perspectives from the Frontlines
The effectiveness of the Standards Committee relies heavily on the diverse voices at the table. Several key members have articulated their vision for the coming term.
Empowering Artisanal Miners
Marcin Piersiak of the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) highlights the critical intersection between high-level policy and grassroots impact. With over 20 million people globally involved in artisanal gold and gemstone mining, Piersiak believes the RJC has a moral obligation to translate its principles into tangible support for these miners. "We have a unique opportunity to significantly move the needle," he asserts, emphasizing that the committee must move beyond simple oversight to active strategic engagement.
The Retailer’s Reality
Kessa Trowell, a guest of the committee, brings the perspective of a major retailer. Her focus is on the "practicality" of standards. Trowell believes that if a standard is too cumbersome for the retailer, it fails the consumer. Her goal for the 2026 term is to shape solutions that drive improvement while maintaining the trust of the end-buyer.
Bridging Theory and Operation
Alexander Gul, returning for his second year, remains focused on the "gap" between global standards and local operations. "Our company has been part of the RJC community since 2013," Gul explains. "I’m genuinely motivated to help shape standards that are not only responsible but workable, meaningful, and future-ready."
Institutional Implications: Why This Matters
The composition of this committee carries significant implications for the global jewellery market:
- Market Credibility: By inviting experts from outside the industry—such as those from Chatham House and the Carbon Trust—the RJC is insulating itself against accusations of "industry self-policing."
- Regulatory Alignment: With legal experts like Sara Yood leading the charge, the RJC is better positioned to ensure its members remain compliant with rapidly evolving global regulations, such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
- Consumer Trust: The inclusion of consumer protection specialists ensures that the "RJC certified" label remains a gold standard for transparency, helping to combat the pervasive problem of "greenwashing" in the luxury sector.
Full Committee Roster (2026 Term)
The breadth of expertise represented in this year’s committee is unprecedented, featuring a balance of industry practitioners and technical experts:
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 and LVMH Italia), Valerie Michel (Rosy Blue), Wafa Jaffery (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre).
Non-Industry Members:
Abbi Buxton (Independent Consultant), Antonino Serra Cambaceres (International 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.
Conclusion: A Collaborative Path Forward
As the 2026 Standards Committee begins its work, the sentiment among its members is one of shared responsibility. As former Joint Chair Ainsley Butler aptly noted, the committee’s success is predicated on its diversity. By questioning assumptions and contributing openly, the 2026 cohort is poised to set the industry on a more resilient and transparent path.
For the RJC, this new term is not merely a change in personnel; it is a reaffirmation of the organization’s role as the guardian of ethics in an industry defined by both its immense beauty and its inherent complexities. The world is watching, and with this expert-led committee, the RJC is signaling that it is more than ready to lead.
