As the global jewellery and watch industry navigates an increasingly complex landscape of sustainability, ethical sourcing, and consumer expectation, the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has officially ushered in a new chapter of its governance. The commencement of the 2026 Standards Committee term marks a pivotal evolution in the organisation’s mission to foster integrity across the global supply chain. By integrating a diverse cohort of industry leaders and non-industry experts, the RJC aims to reinforce the rigour, relevance, and global reach of its standards.
Main Facts: A Diverse Mandate for 2026
The 2026 Standards Committee is defined by its multidisciplinary composition. The committee is charged with the maintenance and evolution of the RJC standards—the bedrock upon which the organisation’s certification system rests. This cycle brings together experts from legal, environmental, artisanal mining, and consumer protection sectors, ensuring that the standards are not only technically robust but also practically implementable.
At the helm of this initiative are two newly appointed Co-Chairs who represent the bifurcated structure of the committee:
- Sara Yood (Non-Industry Co-Chair): As President & CEO of the Jewellers Vigilance Committee (JVC), Yood brings unparalleled expertise in U.S. jewellery regulations, legal guidance, and consumer protection.
- Eduard Stefanescu (Industry Co-Chair): Serving as the Sustainability Manager at C.HAFNER GmbH + Co. KG, Stefanescu represents the refiner forum and brings a deep technical background in precious metals innovation, circularity, and supply-chain integrity.
The committee comprises a broad spectrum of members—ranging from luxury conglomerates like Chanel and Bvlgari to civil society organisations like the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) and Chatham House—all united by the goal of embedding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles into the DNA of the jewellery trade.
Chronology: From Foundation to Future-Proofing
The RJC’s journey towards this current committee structure has been one of iterative growth. Since its inception, the council has transitioned from a niche industry initiative to a global authority on responsible business practices.
- Initial Phases: The early years focused on establishing baseline definitions for what "responsible jewellery" meant in an era of increasing supply chain scrutiny.
- Mid-Term Evolution: As the industry grew more transparent, the Standards Committee shifted its focus toward harmonisation with international frameworks, such as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
- The 2026 Shift: With the official start of the 2026 term, the focus has moved toward "operationalising" these standards. The current committee structure was finalised following a rigorous selection process, designed to balance industry technical knowledge with the impartial, critical oversight of independent experts.
- Current Mandate: As of Q1 2026, the committee has begun its inaugural work sessions, prioritising the review of existing texts and the integration of emerging sustainability topics, including climate impact and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) engagement.
Supporting Data: The Scope of the Committee’s Influence
The influence of the RJC Standards Committee is not merely symbolic; it impacts millions of stakeholders across the value chain.
- Human Impact: According to data presented by committee member Marcin Piersiak, the artisanal and small-scale gold and gemstone mining sector alone employs over 20 million people globally. The committee’s efforts to formalise standards for this sector have direct, measurable consequences for poverty reduction and human rights protections.
- Economic Reach: The committee oversees standards that govern the compliance of members ranging from major international refiners to boutique retailers. With the growing uptake of RJC certification, the committee’s guidance now dictates the operational standards for a significant percentage of the global jewellery market.
- The "Gap" Metric: As identified by returning member Alexander Gul, a key success metric for the 2026 committee will be reducing the gap between "high-level policy" and "on-the-ground reality." By measuring the feedback loops from auditors and certified members, the committee intends to ensure that standards remain "future-ready" rather than static documents.
Official Responses: Insights from the Committee
The strength of the committee lies in the diversity of its voices. During the recent announcement, several members shared their visions for the 2026 term:
On Regulatory Integrity
Sara Yood highlighted the "invigorating" nature of standards revision: "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. Serving as one of those layers is a challenging yet gratifying exercise."
On Sustainability and Innovation
Eduard Stefanescu emphasised the role of the committee in navigating global challenges: "RJC carries both a responsibility and an opportunity to address global challenges through standards that promote human and labour rights, environmental protection, and transparency in supply chains. My goal is to help RJC remain the frontrunner in developing standards and guidance that embed sustainability, ESG principles, transparency, and responsible supply chains."
On Practical Application and Consumer Trust
Antonio Serra, an expert in consumer protection, noted the importance of the end-user: "This is an important opportunity to help ensure that responsible business practices across the jewellery supply chain reflect not only industry expertise but also the expectations and rights of consumers."
Kessa Trowell, representing a major retailer’s perspective, added: "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: The Road Ahead
The implications of this new committee term are far-reaching for the jewellery sector. As the industry faces heightened pressure regarding climate change, carbon accounting, and provenance tracking, the RJC’s Standards Committee serves as the primary engine for reform.
Strengthening the Supply Chain
By including representatives from the entire value chain—from mining and refining to retail—the committee is positioned to solve the "silo" problem. The collaboration between industry members (such as those from De Beers or Bvlgari) and independent consultants ensures that the resulting standards are both ambitious and achievable.
The Rise of Transparency
The 2026 term is expected to place a heavy emphasis on transparency. As Jennifer Hillard, a departing committee member, noted, the challenge lies in communicating these complex standards so that they are "not misleading." The new committee will likely focus on refining how members make claims to consumers, ensuring that every claim—from "recycled gold" to "conflict-free diamonds"—is backed by a verifiable and consistent audit trail.
A Culture of Continuous Improvement
The outgoing Joint Chair, Ainsley Butler, left the incoming committee with a challenge: "The committee succeeds because of its diversity of expertise, so don’t underestimate the value of your perspective." This ethos of "participating fully" and "questioning assumptions" is the hallmark of the 2026 term.
As the committee embarks on its work, the global jewellery industry will be watching closely. The standards they define will set the benchmark for the next decade, influencing not only how jewellery is made, but how it is perceived by a modern, ethical, and increasingly demanding global consumer base.
The 2026 Standards Committee represents a deliberate, calculated effort by the RJC to stay ahead of the curve. By balancing the practical realities of a global industry with the uncompromising requirements of modern ethics, this committee is set to play a decisive role in the continued professionalisation and moral maturation of the jewellery and watch trade.
