(Marketwired) - SCS Global Services (SCS), a leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, announced its accreditation by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) to certify member compliance with the RJC "Code of Practices" and "Chain-of-Custody" standards for environmentally and socially responsible practices throughout the diamond, gold and platinum group metals (PGM) jewelry supply chain.

RJC is a not-for-profit standards setting and certification organization with over 490 members spanning the jewelry supply chain from mine to retail. All RJC members must be third-party certified to the RJC Code of Practices, which cover a range of environmental, labor and human rights issues for diamonds, gold and PGM (platinum, palladium and rhodium). RJC also administers an optional Chain-of-Custody certification to verify the tracking of responsibly sourced gold and PGM, which it defines as "conflict free," recycled or previously existing (i.e., grandfathered) sources.

"The Responsible Jewellery Council warmly congratulates SCS Global Services on its accreditation," says Catherine Sproule, RJC's Chief Executive Officer - Interim. "We continue to work to expand the pool of auditors to service RJC's growing membership and are pleased to add SCS to the list of Accredited Auditors."

The scope of the SCS accreditation enables the company to provide certification services for US and Canada-based companies involved in gold refining, trading and hedging; PGM trading and hedging; diamond trading; jewelry manufacturing; and jewelry wholesale and retail.

As in other sectors, businesses throughout the jewelry supply chain have come under increased scrutiny from consumers, regulators and stakeholders for how they manage environmental, social and human rights issues associated with the industry. This has been largely driven by public awareness of so-called "blood diamonds" produced under slave-like conditions in war-torn parts of Africa, mercury and cyanide pollution associated with gold mining activities around the world, and "conflict minerals" derived from areas of armed conflict and known human rights abuses, most notably in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries.

"SCS brings decades of experience to the RJC process along with a commitment to accountability and supply chain transparency," said Alicia Godlove, Manager of Materials Services for SCS. "We are pleased to add RJC certification to the list of certification services that we offer the jewelry industry."

In addition to RJC, other SCS service offerings applicable to the jewelry industry include Recycled Content and Responsible Source™ certification for recycled precious metals and diamonds, Fairmined™ Gold audits for gold sourced from artisanal and small-scale mining operations, Signet Responsible Sourcing Protocol (SRSP) certification for suppliers to Signet Jewelers Limited and Conflict Minerals Report Audits for public companies seeking compliance with Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act.

About RJC
The Responsible Jewellery Council is an international not-for-profit organization bringing together more than 490 member companies committed to promoting responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the jewelry industry from mine to retail. It is committed to reinforcing consumer and stakeholder confidence in diamond, gold and platinum group metals jewelry products.

About SCS Global Services
SCS Global Services has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing and standards development for three decades. Programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry and more. Now in its 30th year, SCS is a Certified B Corporation™, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practice.

SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services

SCS is a leading third-party provider of certification, auditing and testing services, and standards, founded in 1984. Our goal is to recognize the highest levels of performance in food safety and quality, environmental protection and social responsibility in the private and public sectors, and to stimulate continuous improvement in sustainable development.

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