BHP Billiton was a founding member of the Council. The Council’s mission is to promote responsible ethical, social, human rights and environmental performance throughout the industry supply chain. 

Consultation has been initiated with stakeholders within the supply chain interested in these important moral issues. Council membership has grown to include more than 30 organisations.  All members are committed to promoting responsible business practices in a transparent and accountable manner.

Addressing ethical, social, human rights and environmental challenges

The role of the Council is to enable the industry to work together to improve standards of practice and reduce duplication of efforts. Council members believe that a coordinated worldwide approach to these challenges will drive ongoing improvement throughout the jewellery industry, to the ultimate benefit of industry stakeholders everywhere. In turn, this will boost consumer confidence in the industry.

The initiative is unique in that it aims to cover issues across the diamond and gold supply chain, irrespective of the size or geographic location of the business. It is intended to assist the industry to deal with a range of issues, including those that attract public protest such as ‘conflict’ or ‘blood’ diamonds: the illicit trade of rough diamonds to fund conflicts in countries torn by civil unrest.

Reinforcing confidence in the supply chain

The Council is endeavouring to reinforce confidence in the supply chain through such actions as:

• Developing a Responsible Practices Framework that will define ethical standards to which all members commit
• Making it a condition that members apply the Framework through a credible implementation process that includes self-assessment and independent thirdparty monitoring
• Promoting awareness and understanding of key ethical, social, human rights and environmental business responsibility by working with all stakeholders including governments and civil society representatives
• Working with stakeholders and industry participants to continuously improve standards and processes to ensure they are relevant and achievable given the business objectives of the industry
• Encouraging members to promote the adoption of the Framework among their business partners
• Seeking to include and extend membership opportunities throughout the industry.

Contact: Sustainable Development and Community Relations Department
Telephone: +61 1300 554 757
Websites: www.bhpbilliton.com
www.responsiblejewellery.com