The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) has released a draft of The Blue List, a comprehensive glossary aimed at standardizing terminology used in responsible sourcing and sustainability across the jewelry, gemstone and precious-metals industries.
The release of the lexicon marks the culmination of more than three years of collective effort, CIBJO said Monday. The glossary contains words such as “responsible,” “ethical” and “sustainable” and includes precise definitions to prevent misuse and greenwashing within the industry.
For example, “responsible sourcing” requires adherence to international baseline standards, including compliance with environmental and labor laws, anti-corruption measures and supply-chain due diligence. “Ethical” businesses must not only meet those same standards but also implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and participate in social initiatives beyond legal requirements. “Sustainable” refers to practices that deliver lasting socioeconomic and environmental benefits.
“The Blue List is a vital step toward greater consistency and credibility in how our industry communicates about responsibility,” said CIBJO president Gaetano Cavalieri. “With growing demand for transparency, the absence of clear, harmonized terminology has led to confusion, even among professionals. By providing universally agreed language and guidance for substantiation, we are creating a common ground that strengthens trust both within the industry and with the public.”
A four-month public consultation on the glossary began Monday and will run through September 6. Stakeholders across the supply chain are invited to submit feedback via CIBJO’s dedicated online platform, with the final version of the glossary scheduled for release at the CIBJO Congress in Paris this October.
Image: Gold recycling. (Pandora)
