RJC Renews Its Standards Committee and Reinforces Its Global Leadership in Sustainability

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Editor’s Note

The Responsible Jewellery Council has appointed Sara Yood and Eduard Stefanescu as Co-Chairs of its Standards Committee, bringing together a blend of regulatory, technical, and sustainability expertise to guide the industry’s standard-setting efforts.

New Leadership for Standards Development

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the world’s leading organization dedicated to setting standards for the jewelry and watch industries, has announced the appointment of two new Co-Chairs for its Standards Committee: Sara Yood, President and CEO of the Jewellers Vigilance Committee (JVC), and Eduard Stefanescu, Director of Sustainability at C.HAFNER GmbH + Co. KG. Their backgrounds combine regulatory, technical, supply chain, and governance expertise, essential elements for defining the next evolution of RJC standards.

The Standards Committee is responsible for ensuring that RJC’s codes and regulations—including the Codes of Practice, the Chain of Custody standard, and the Laboratory Grown Materials standard—remain rigorous, credible, and aligned with global expectations for responsible business conduct. In a context of growing membership and increasingly complex international regulation, its role is more relevant than ever.

Recognized as an authority on jewelry sector regulations, responsible business conduct, and consumer protection, Sara Yood leads JVC’s legal and compliance work in the United States. Her appointment reinforces RJC’s commitment to alignment with international due diligence frameworks and high ethical standards.

“I am taking on the role of co-chair in a personal capacity and I look forward to continuing the complex but rewarding work of updating and maintaining RJC standards. Not everyone may get excited about reviewing dense texts, but for me it’s a stimulating process. The precision of language is vital for the businesses that rely on it, and it is a privilege to be part of that review and approval process,” states Sara.

With a strong background in innovation, recycling, and refining of precious metals, Eduard Stefanescu brings a comprehensive technical and sustainability vision. In addition to his role at C.HAFNER, he chairs the sustainability platform of the European Precious Metals Federation and the equivalent committee in Germany.

“I never imagined that moving from a committee guest to Co-Chair would be the next step. The experience has exceeded my expectations due to the collaboration and respect among such diverse stakeholders. RJC has the opportunity and the responsibility to drive standards that protect human rights, the environment, and transparency in supply chains. My goal is to help keep RJC at the forefront of developing standards that integrate sustainability, ESG, and responsible value chains,” adds Stefanescu.
New Members for a More Diverse and Global Committee

RJC has also incorporated a diverse group of specialists from across the value chain, civil society, and consumer representation, reinforcing its multi-stakeholder approach. Among the new members are:

Industry Representatives
• Ben Ronca (Leach Garner): Specialist in responsible sourcing, regulatory compliance, and environmental standards.
• Donald Bray (Fura Gems): Leader in ESG, biodiversity, and responsible sourcing in high-risk regions.
• Melanie Mater (De Beers): Expert in human rights, AML, and the Best Practice Principles program.
• Valerie Michel (Rosy Blue): Leader in transparency, ESG compliance, and auditing.
• Wafa Jaffery (DMCC): Key figure in the Dubai Diamond Exchange and ethical trade initiatives.
• Alethea Inns (GSI): Specialist in gemological education and training program development.
• Raluca Angel (Natural Diamond Council): Expert in EU public policy, transparency, and diamond classifications.

Non-Industry Members
• Antonino Serra Cambaceres: Lawyer specializing in consumer protection and public policy.
• Chris Vandome (Chatham House): Researcher in natural resource governance and African political economy.
• Abbi Buxton: Leader in mineral governance and artisanal mining in Africa.

Invited Members
Include specialists from Richemont, Heraeus, and Watches of Switzerland, who will accompany the transition process.

These changes ensure a renewed commitment to global standards and, as stated by John Hall, Interim CEO of RJC:

“We are delighted to welcome Sara and Eduard as Co-Chairs, as well as the new members whose knowledge covers the entire jewelry and mining ecosystem. Their collective leadership will ensure that RJC standards remain credible, inclusive, and aligned with global expectations on human rights, environmental responsibility, and supply chain integrity.”

The Standards Committee will meet in London from December 16 to 18, incorporating the new members to facilitate the transition. All new appointments will take effect on January 1, 2026, reaffirming RJC’s commitment to continuous improvement and a transparent, rigorous, and inclusive standard-setting process.

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⏰ Published on: December 11, 2025