International Charter for traceable, fair precious stones

Transcription

1 CHARTE FG_ :Mise en page 1 21/10/10 22:57 Page1 International Charter for traceable, fair precious stones C E R T I F I E D F A I R T R A D E H I G H Q U A L I T Y S T O N E S

2 CHARTE FG_ :Mise en page 1 21/10/10 22:57 Page2 THE FAIR GEMS PROCESS IS THE FIRST SYSTEM TO WORK TOWARD TRACEABLE, FAIR GEMSTONES. THIS CHARTER IS A CALL FOR GOOD CUSTOMS TO SUPPORT A PRECIOUS STONE INDUSTRY THAT RESPECTS THE PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. THE VARIOUS PLAYERS BEHIND THE PROCESS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE SYSTEM, WHICH OFFERS ADVANTAGES FOR EVERY LINK IN THE CHAIN (MINER, PRODUCER, STONECUTTER, GEM DEALER, JEWELER, ETC.) ALL THE WAY TO END CONSUMERS. THIS CHARTER DEFINES THE RULES THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED BY EACH FAIR GEMS PROCESS CERTIFIED STAKEHOLDER. Acting to promote a mining sector that must comply with environmental, social and economic aspirations and requirements, the various stakeholders in the Fair Gems Process voluntarily commit to investing in a more virtuous practice that helps them to better meet the demands of sustainable development and fair trade.

3 CHARTE FG_ :Mise en page 1 21/10/10 22:57 Page3 C E R T I F I E D F A I R T R A D E H I G H Q U A L I T Y S T O N E S Signature of the producer: gem dealer: jeweler: (preceded by the words read and approved) Date: Signature of the Fair Gems Process: Date: Certifying body for the process By signing this charter, the various players demonstrate their implication in a fair process that is more respectful of Man and the Environment. To guarantee the final consumer as well as all those involved the respect of producers commitment and the Fair Gems Process, an independent body (Flocert) will carry out annual checks that these commitments are being respected.

4 CHARTE FG_ :Mise en page 1 21/10/10 22:57 Page4 CERTIFIED FAIRTRADE HIGH QUALITY STONES The commitments of the producer

5 CHARTE FG_ :Mise en page 1 21/10/10 22:57 Page5 Commitment No. 1: Preserving water resources Commitment No. 3: Prevention related to noise pollution The sounds caused by motors and equipment create noise pollution for workers. This degrades their working conditions. If the noise is too intense or occurs repeatedly or over a prolonged period, it can cause behavioral problems (irritability, stress) and deafness. As a result, the producer agrees: To take the necessary measures, in compliance with labor regulations from the ILO (International Labor Organization). As a result of all of these risks, the producer agrees: Not to spill or scatter any polluting product into nature (chemical substances, gasoline, paint, detergents, etc.), solvents or solid waste (debris, food waste, paper, plastic, etc.) or wastewater. To plug back any excavations after mining. Not to engage in any mining activity within a perimeter of 80 meters around any source of water. Commitment No. 2: Reducing air pollution The main types of air pollution caused by mining activities are dust emitted by road vehicles and construction and excavation work. This dust can cause or exacerbate respiratory illness among humans. Likewise, this dust settles onto plants and disrupts their development. Depending on the type of activity, this dust can contain toxic substances. As a result, the producer agrees: To wet down (if necessary) the mining areas, taking into consideration the water resources in the area being worked. Commitment No. 4: Protecting local flora and fauna Clearing forests or other types of vegetation, whether natural or cultivated, leads to a loss of rare plant and animal species and a loss of resources (food, firewood, medicinal plants, etc.). As a result, the producer agrees: Prohibit any massive clearing and/or clearing using fire. Respect and maintain the plant coverings around each mining site. Commitment No. 5: Improving working conditions and living conditions Even today, working conditions for mine workers too often fail to follow ILO rules and meet conditions that can be considered decent for working (difficult work, pay, health, child labor, etc.). As a result, the producer agrees: Commit to a socially responsible approach (respect for human rights, working hours and safety standards). Help to improve working conditions for its workers and to raise their living conditions, as well as more generally to follow all ILO rules related to their activity.

6 CHARTE FG_ :Mise en page 1 21/10/10 22:57 Page6 C E R T I F I E D F A I R T R A D E H I G H Q U A L I T Y S T O N E S The commitments of the gem dealer

7 CHARTE FG_ :Mise en page 1 21/10/10 22:57 Page7 Commitment No. 1: Traceability Gem dealers (merchants, importers, retailers) very oft e n do not know the origin of the gemstones that they market. Even today, they often lack the means to know the origin of those gemstones, or the conditions under which they were extracted. As a result, the gem dealer agrees: To check the reliability of theinformation on the origin of the stone in order to best optimize the process of traceability with regard to other stakeholders. The dealer agrees to market a majority of gemstones with the Fair Gems certificate, which ensures real traceability across the entire industry. Commitment No. 3: Prioritizing certified stakeholders Before the Fair Gems Process was implemented, there was no certification allowing gem dealers to identify which players were involved in an approach that respected people and the environment. Today, the Fair Gems Process exists to reward these players. As a result, the producer agrees: In every commercial transaction, to prioritize working with stakeholders who have committed to the Fair Gems Process whenever possible (miners, stonecutters, gem dealers and jewelers) to help advance the process of moralizing the precious stones industry and ensure that end consumers make a responsible purchase. Commitment No. 2: Duty to inform The gem dealer often pays little attention to social concerns, instead focusing on the material nature of the gemstone without necessarily considering the mining conditions. As a result, the gem dealer agrees: To seek out information on the mining conditions that produce the gemstones he or she markets and, in accordance with the certificate, provide reliablein formation to any person who asks. Given the dealer's central role as a player in the industry, he or she agrees to promote, both upstream and downstream, the new customs developed by the Fair Gems Process. To provide reliable information on the treatment the gemstone has undergone in compliance with the CIBJO (World Jewellery Confederation) standards.

8 CHARTE FG_ :Mise en page 1 21/10/10 22:58 Page8 C E R T I F I E D F A I R T R A D E H I G H Q U A L I T Y S T O N E S The commitments of the jeweler

9 CHARTE FG_ :Mise en page 1 21/10/10 22:58 Page9 Commitment No. 1: Respect French law and CIBJO standards The French law of 2002 on the gemstone and pearl trade, and more broadly the principles established by CIBJO standards, are rarely or never applied. As a result, the jeweler agrees: To respect the law and, more specifically, to inform consumers of the treatment the gemstone has undergone, as well as any possible risks related to its treatments. To communicate through posters at the point of sale that some gemstones may have undergone traditional lapidary practices, using colorless liquids and heating, and that pearls may have been bleached. These posters must be perfectly readable from the place where customers are generally received. see CIBJO standards. Commitment No. 3: Uncompromising commitment The majority of jewelers do not consider the origin of the gemstones they sell to customers. Up to now, they have not had any reliable information allowing them to trace the gemstone, nor any way to ensure that the process for mining gemstones complied with the rules of the ILO (International Labor Organization). As a result, the jeweler agrees: After receiving Fair Gems certification, not to sell a gemstone if he or she is aware that its origin is unacceptable (gemstones under embargo, from conflict situations or that do not respect CIBJO standards). Commitment No. 2: Traceability Before the Fair Gems Process was implemented, there was no certification allowing jewelers to identify which players were involved in an approach that respected people and the environment. Today, the Fair Gems Process exists to reward these players. As a result, the jeweler agrees: To check the reliability of theinformation on the origin of the stone in order to best optimize the process of traceability with regard to other stakeholders. The dealer agrees to market a majority of gemstones with the Fair Gems certificate, which ensures real traceability across the entire industry.

10 CHARTE FG_ :Mise en page 1 21/10/10 22:58 Page10 CERTIFIED FAIRTRADE HIGH QUALITY STONES The commitments of the Fair Gems Process

11 CHARTE FG_ :Mise en page 1 21/10/10 22:58 Page11 Through its values and day-to-day actions, the Fair Gems Process makes 5 commitments to guarantee perfectly clean gemstones for stakeholders in the industry and for consumers. Commitment No. 1: Guaranteed traceability The Fair Gems Process guarantees to producers and end consumers that each certified gemstone can be fully traced, and that no improving treatment has been applied to the stone (heating, irradiation, coloring, etc.). It verifies each gem using its audit laboratory and the certificate that it issues. Commitment No. 2: Solidarity with the most destitute In seeking to redistribute value more fairly, the Fair Gems Process moves beyond fair trade to provide the most destitute with a solidarity fund in case of a severe crisis (financial, climate, economic, etc.). This fund is formed by deducting 0.5% from any sale made within the Fair Gems Process. Commitment No. 4: Leverage for education Using its solidarity fund, the Fair Gems Process agrees to support the projects driven by various certified intermediaries to combat illiteracy and help to set up schools in towns and cities, as well as to promote training among young adolescents. Commitment No. 5: Raising awareness among consumers With the goal of promoting fair trade, the Fair Gems Process commits to raising awareness among consumers with regard to the benefits of this approach, so as to encourage them to purchase Fair Gems Process gemstones whenever possible. Commitment No. 3: Promoting the various stakeholders The Fair Gems Process commits to promoting and speaking highly of all producers in order to grow their business and increase their income from that business. Its goal is to encourage trade agreements and give them international visibility in their work. Through this approach, miners also help to improve their country s reputation for transparency in mining processes and the quality of their precious stones.

12 CHARTE FG_ :Mise en page 1 21/10/10 22:58 Page12 C E R T I F I E D F A I R T R A D E H I G H Q U A L I T Y S T O N E S Contact Fair Gems Process Assala gardens 40, gane Aramba Massala BERUWALA SRI LANKA Rue du Premier Mars La-Chaux-de-Fonds NE-SUISSE contact@fairgemsprocess.com Website: