CIBJO released its Responsible Sourcing Blue Book in January this year, which references to the OECD’s Due Diligence Guidance for minerals from high-risk areas, and also promotes compliance with the Kimberley Process and the World Diamond Council System of Warranties.
During his OECD speech, Cavalieri noted that the jewellery industry is largely operated by small-to-medium enterprises, which are frequently family owned and run and have limited resources.
He noted that while awareness of responsible practices has grown among CIBJO members and the public over the past decade, the challenge was “meeting the requirements of a socially aware business community, while trying to protect the fabric of our industry”.
As a result, the Blue Book was written so that all industry members ‘irrespective of size or financial capacity’ could apply its standards. CIBJO is also in the process of setting up a free online platform to educate members about due diligence.