Jewelers of America recently revised its mission statement to include what it says is the “importance of corporate responsibility,” the organization says in a statement.

Specifically, JA added the words social and environmental to its mission statement.

“Issues such as conflict diamonds and labor rights have shown that the buying public may hold retail jewelers responsible for events that take place in the chain of supply,” JA says in its March/April newsletter. “By communicating JA’s active support for high standards, the mission statement lets consumers know that JA and its members take this responsibility seriously.”

JA says the review of its mission statement is part of the continuing examination of the association and the retail jewelry industry by the international consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, which JA has retained the services as par of an ongoing review of business practice.

The mission statement now reads:

Jewelers of America (JA) is the national association for the retail jeweler. JA is both a center of knowledge for the jeweler and an advocate for professionalism and high social, ethical, and environmental standards in the jewelry trade. The JA mission is to assist all members in improving their business skills and profitability. JA will provide access to meaningful educational programs and services, leadership in public and industry affairs, and encourage members with common interests to act in their and the industry’s best interests.

JCK