The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the leading global authority on standards 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 ongoing mission to institutionalize ethics, sustainability, and transparency across an industry that spans from artisanal mines to luxury retail boutiques.
With the appointment of new Industry and Non-Industry members, the Committee is poised to tackle the evolving complexities of the modern market, including supply chain traceability, environmental stewardship, and the protection of fundamental human rights. By balancing diverse perspectives—ranging from legal experts and sustainability managers to small-scale mining advocates—the RJC aims to reinforce its position as the industry’s gold standard for responsible business conduct.
The Strategic Shift: A New Chapter in Governance
The 2026 term of the Standards Committee represents more than a routine rotation of personnel; it signifies a strategic alignment with the increasingly sophisticated demands of global regulators and conscious consumers. As the jewellery industry faces mounting pressure to demonstrate its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) credentials, the Standards Committee has been tasked with the rigorous process of updating, maintaining, and harmonizing the RJC’s comprehensive standards framework.
Leadership Appointments
Central to this new term are the two incoming Co-Chairs, who bring a dual-perspective approach to the Committee’s governance:
- Sara Yood (Non-Industry Co-Chair): As the President & CEO of the Jewellers Vigilance Committee (JVC), Yood is a recognized authority on jewellery industry regulations and consumer protection. Her leadership is expected to strengthen the RJC’s commitment to international legal alignment and robust due diligence.
- Eduard Stefanescu (Industry Co-Chair): Serving as the Sustainability Manager at C.HAFNER GmbH + Co. KG, Stefanescu represents the vital refiner sector. His expertise in precious metals innovation and circularity provides a technical foundation for the Committee’s work in environmental stewardship.
Chronology and Evolution: From Consensus to Certification
The RJC’s standard-setting process is a testament to the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration. Over the past decade, the organization has evolved from a niche industry initiative into a comprehensive global framework.
Key Milestones in the Committee’s Evolution:
- Foundation Phase: The initial development of the Code of Practices (COP), focusing on core business ethics.
- Expansion Phase: Integrating the complexities of the Kimberley Process and broader human rights due diligence.
- The Maturity Shift: Current efforts center on "operationalizing" these high-level principles, ensuring that small-scale miners and global luxury retailers alike can adhere to the same rigorous standards.
- The 2026 Mandate: A concentrated focus on "future-readiness," where standards are reviewed not just for compliance, but for their ability to withstand the scrutiny of digital traceability and climate-related disclosure requirements.
Supporting Data: Why the Committee Matters
The importance of this Committee cannot be overstated when viewed against the industry’s footprint. According to data provided by committee members, the sector touches the lives of over 20 million people engaged in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).
The RJC’s standards serve as the bridge between these mining communities and the end consumer. For a consumer buying a wedding band or a luxury timepiece, the RJC certification acts as an assurance of integrity. The Committee’s work involves navigating dense, highly technical texts to ensure that every clause—from the sourcing of conflict-free gold to the ethical treatment of employees—is actionable and verifiable.
Official Perspectives: Voices from the Committee
The strength of the RJC lies in its "Big Tent" approach, bringing together competitors, activists, and regulators. The following reflections highlight the ethos driving the 2026 cohort:
The Legal and Regulatory Lens
Sara Yood views the revision of standards as an "invigorating" process. "The nuance of the text is vitally important to the businesses that rely on it," she notes. "Serving as one of those layers [of review] is a challenging yet gratifying exercise." For Yood, the goal is to ensure that the standards remain relevant in an era of heightened legal scrutiny.
The Sustainability and Technical Perspective
Eduard Stefanescu emphasizes the collaborative nature of the committee. "The RJC carries both a responsibility and an opportunity to address global challenges," he states. His focus is on embedding ESG principles deep into the supply chain, moving beyond mere compliance into a model of active stewardship.
Engaging the "Frontline" of the Industry
Marcin Piersiak, representing the Alliance for Responsible Mining, highlights the "on-the-ground" impact. "Turning principles into action requires commitment from RJC members," he argues. "With leading jewellery companies and raw material suppliers at the table, we have a unique opportunity to significantly move the needle" for those 20 million workers in the ASM sector.
A Practical Approach to Retail
Kessa Trowell, a long-time contributor, brings a major retailer’s perspective. Her objective is to shape solutions that are "practical and forward-looking," ensuring that standards drive genuine improvement rather than becoming bureaucratic hurdles.
Implications: The Path Ahead for the Industry
The appointment of the 2026 Standards Committee has significant implications for the global jewellery trade.
1. Enhanced Transparency
By focusing on the "gap between high-level standards and the realities of how our industry actually operates," as Alexander Gul puts it, the Committee is working to remove the ambiguity that often plagues supply chain audits. This will likely result in clearer claims that consumers can trust.
2. Consumer Empowerment
Antonio Serra, an expert in consumer protection, notes that the committee’s work ensures that business practices reflect the "expectations and rights of consumers." This move toward a consumer-centric model is essential for maintaining brand loyalty in an age of radical transparency.
3. A Culture of Continuous Improvement
As Ainsley Butler observed during her tenure as Joint Chair, the maturity of the RJC standards framework is evidenced by the growing demand for certification. The new committee is tasked with sustaining this momentum. The advice from outgoing members is clear: the committee succeeds only through diversity of expertise and the willingness to question long-standing assumptions.
Full Composition of the 2026 Standards Committee
The diversity of this committee is its greatest asset. By bringing together independent consultants, academic researchers, and industry leaders, the RJC ensures that its standards are shielded from industry bias.
Leadership:
- Joint-Chair (Industry): Eduard Stefanescu (C.Hafner GmbH + Co. KG)
- Joint-Chair (Non-Industry): Sara Yood (Jewelers Vigilance Committee, JVC)
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), and Wafa Jaffery (DMCC).
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), and Laurent Massi (Independent Consultant).
Committee Guests:
Francesco Giunta, Kesah Trowell, Kim Wenzel, Laure Williams, and Marco Quadri.
Conclusion: The Road to 2026 and Beyond
As the RJC embarks on this new chapter, the mandate for the Standards Committee remains clear: to build an industry that is resilient, ethical, and transparent. The challenges—ranging from the complexities of the ASM sector to the global demand for climate accountability—are significant. However, with a Committee that combines deep technical expertise with a shared commitment to progress, the RJC is well-positioned to lead the jewellery sector through the next era of responsible business.
For stakeholders throughout the supply chain, the message from the 2026 Committee is one of invitation and cooperation. By participating in this process, members and partners alike are not just signing up for a certification—they are helping to define the very values of the global jewellery industry for years to come.
