Editor’s Note
IWC Schaffhausen has achieved a significant milestone in its commitment to sustainability by securing the Responsible Jewellery Council’s “Chain of Custody” certification. This ensures full traceability and responsible sourcing for the gold and platinum in its supply chain, building upon its existing adherence to the RJC’s Code of Practices.
Schaffhausen, March 4, 2021 – IWC Schaffhausen is proud to announce that it has obtained the “Chain of Custody” (CoC) certification issued by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). Awarded after a voluntary audit, this certification complements the RJC’s Code of Practices (COP), to which IWC already adheres. It certifies the full traceability and responsible sourcing of the gold and platinum used throughout the company’s supply chain. Through this certification, the Manufacture achieves its goal: to offer watches with fully traceable precious metal components.
Founded in 2005 as a non-profit organization, the RJC is a reference within the jewelry and watchmaking industry. Its mission is to promote best environmental, social, and ethical practices, from mine to retail. In addition to its mandatory Code of Practices (COP) for each member company, the RJC also offers the optional CoC certification, which aims to establish a traceability chain for precious metals. True to its proactive spirit and ambition to always go beyond required standards, IWC applied for this certification last year, in line with its sustainability goals.
The COP focuses on business integrity and responsible supply chains. The CoC accreditation, on the other hand, attests that all materials, whether mined or recycled, are fully traceable and responsibly sourced. To guarantee this process, a strict management system is applied, and rigorous audits are conducted by third parties. When a company’s sourcing is identified and documented throughout the chain, it becomes possible to track a product from its origins to the point of sale. The CoC certification audit is a major step towards achieving this goal. It is also a significant milestone in IWC’s sustainability journey, highlighting its commitment to transparency.
Invested for many years in the transparency of its operations, IWC is committed to establishing the traceability of its supply chain. It particularly prides itself on sourcing materials that are not tainted by conflict, human rights violations, child labor, or environmental damage. All precious metal and diamond suppliers it trusts are certified RJC members. The Swiss watch manufacturer joined the RJC nine years ago in 2012, recognizing the organization’s crucial role in enforcing responsibility standards throughout the jewelry supply chain, in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance. Certified for the COP in 2014 and again in 2017, IWC once again acted as a pioneer in its sector in 2020 by becoming the first luxury watch manufacturer to meet the RJC’s enhanced COP requirements unveiled in 2019. This revised code includes stricter accountability rules regarding business practices, operations, and supply chain management.
To learn more about IWC’s management of its sourcing and supply chain and to discover the Manufacture’s other sustainability goals, please read the IWC Sustainability Report 2020.
FEBRUARY 2021 – IWC obtains the Chain of Custody (CoC) certification from the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).
JULY 2020 – IWC publishes the second edition of its sustainability report, in accordance with the standards set by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
APRIL 2020 – IWC becomes the first luxury watch manufacturer to meet the enhanced 2019 Code of Practices requirements of the RJC.