Committed to creating added value for our employees and our customers - An RJC review
Published: 15th February 2019
The Sheffield Assay Office was delighted to be accepted as a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council in July 2018.
The RJC is a standards-setting organisation that has been established to advance responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices throughout the diamond, gold and platinum group metals jewellery supply chain. The RJC has developed a benchmark standard for the jewellery supply chain and credible mechanisms for verifying responsible business practices through third party auditing.
"As soon as the application for membership of the Responsible Jewellery Council was accepted, we began the process of reviewing our working methods against the RJC Code of Practices" - says Matthew Hawker, Quality Manager at Sheffield Assay Office.
Business practices covered by the Code include Legal Compliance, Financial Accounts, Non-discrimination, Employment Terms, Community Development, Health & Safety and Environmental Management.
"As a result of this review, we have developed several new polices and strengthened existing ones in order to demonstrate our commitment to being a responsible employer. These include a new Environmental Policy which has prompted us to begin a programme of installing more energy efficient lighting and to consider energy efficiency when purchasing new equipment".
Employees are actively encouraged to put forward ideas to improve our environmental performance and Health & Safety standards. Over 33,000 sheets of paper per year are being saved by implementing a paperless XRF results system, and improved information for visitors and contractors working on-site will soon be available.
Find out more about RJC standards-setting work and what is involved.
The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.
To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us,
Sign up here to all the latest news from Sheffield Assay Office direct to your inbox