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Podcast: With Special Guest Iris Van Der Veken

January 25, 2022  |  Rapaport News

RAPAPORT… In her three years as executive director of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), Iris Van der Veken has worked to align the organization — and the industry — with global efforts to tackle sustainability issues. While she admits that this is a daunting task, Van der Veken stresses it is a vital one for companies to survive the current social and business environment.

With that in mind, she has built a framework through which the industry can tap into the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other efforts, therefore providing guidance to companies across the jewelry supply chain on environmental, social and human-rights issues.

Rapaport Senior Analyst Avi Krawitz spoke to Van der Veken about a wide range of topics affecting the industry’s sustainability efforts and the RJC’s programs.

Listen to the podcast here:


Discussion points:

01:21 – Introduction
02:02 – How the RJC has evolved in recent years.
05:26 – What it means to commit to the RJC Code of Practices.
07:55 – Iris outlines how to ensure responsible sourcing throughout the supply chain.
10:22 – Exclusive club or community?
12:13 – Growth of membership among small enterprises and the task of the RJC.
13:43 – Iris breaks down what’s driving the growing importance of sustainability issues.
17:16 – How aware are consumers of the RJC, and should they be?
20:49 – The motivation behind the “Creating Beautiful” campaign.
22:53 – Why membership increased during Covid-19.
25:46 – Iris explains RJC2030 and how the industry aligns with the UN SDGs.
30:28 – Avi asks about the practical implications of the industry adopting the SDGs.
33:38 – What is planned for this year?

This episode of the Rapaport Diamond Podcast is sponsored by De Beers Group Ignite: pioneering a new diamond world through innovation.

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Podcast: With Special Guest Iris Van Der Veken

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