The Responsible Jewellery Council released a report
detailing its plans for developing a chain-of-custody certification system for the
jewelry industry.

The report
(PDF) analyses input from 25 written submissions to the RJC, and discussions
with key stakeholders during roundtable sessions convened in January-February
2011

Interest in Chain-of-Custody has grown considerably as a
result of the conflict minerals provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform
Act that were passed by the U.S. Congress in 2010. Determining the origin of
gold in the jewelry supply chain will be a strong focus for companies affected
by the Dodd-Frank Act, under rules to be published by the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 15.

The RJC aims to develop its Chain-of-Custody certification
standard to support companies seeking to apply greater due diligence in
thesupply chain, whether for Dodd-Frank compliance or as part of a broader
company strategy. Over the next few months, the RJC will progress the key
points identified in the report during discussion and consensus—building for
the next stages of standards development.

A third discussion paper will be drafted by RJC for public
comment by mid-2011. This will include a revised draft CoC standard for public
consultation, and a summary of how the issues raised in the report have been
addressed.

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