Rio Tinto Launches 'Business Excellence Network'

Rio Tinto Diamonds, owner of Australia's Argyle and Canada's Diavik mines, is presenting consumers with its "Business Excellence Model."

"Consumers expect us to look beyond our own company and ensure that the standards are extended all the way down the value chain," says Keith Johnson, CEO of Rio Tinto Diamonds. "It's important they know that their products are manufactured in ways they feel comfortable with ethically."

The "BEM" criteria are based on ISO and other worldwide standards and gauge a company's commitment to business management, customer service, and human rights issues like working conditions and child labor. Compliance will be certified by auditing firm KMPG. Those that comply will get a "BEM" logo that they can use in their advertisements.