Fair Trade Manufacturing Principles For The Jewelry Sector

Introduction:

Here we have the standards that are being discussed by the International Manufacturing Group that came out of the Madison Dialogues. This is currently being discussed on a list serve. If anyone reading this post wishes to participate in this discussion, please contact us.

Those involved in the Manufacturing Committee are grateful to the Diamond Group and Earthworks for the original template from which our document was adapted.

The concept of Principles versus Standards is that the Principles are very overarching and broad. The Standards are what will come beneath the Principles and be quite specific.

If the Principle is that ‘Employers will provide safe working conditions’ the Standard might be that ‘Ventilation will be provided in all areas where workers are working with hazardous fumes.’ (and then hazardous fumes may need to be identified – or countries terminology of such or regulations may need to be addressed)

Madison Dialogue;
Ethical Manufacturing Principles:

These are “high level” principles that will be used as the basis for more specific standards that companies will be expected to meet in order to use the term “ethical jewellery manufacturing”.

The standards may be written more specifically in the case of factories operating under various cultural conditions. In these principles, the term “employer” means any legal entity (company, co-op, or individual) who engages others for compensation in fabrication in the manufacturing of jewellery.

Whether or not small scale artisan workshops have different criteria is a question that we can consider separately.

1. Consultation

Companies and manufacturing operators will obtain free, prior, participatory and informed consent of affected communities and civil society before starting operations. Existing operations will also engage affected communities.

2. Human and Workers’ Rights

Employers will respect basic human rights and labour standards, including but not limited to: freedom to organize, no forced labour, no child labour and no discrimination, in adherence with in the eight core ILO Principles. Operators will also respect the rights of women and disadvantaged groups.

3. Safety

Employers will provide safe working conditions, ensuring training and monitoring are ongoing to uphold continual improvement in this regard. .

4. Indigenous People

Employers will respect the culture and heritage of local communities, including indigenous peoples.

5. Sustainable Development

Manufacturing activities will contribute to the sustainable human development of the communities in which they take place, improving the quality of men and women workers and their families,

6. Environment

Manufacturing will operate within ecological limits, minimize waste, seek continuous improvement in their environmental performance and report on performance. They will operate in full compliance with national environmental regulatory requirements;

No materials shall be used in producing jewellery from endangered species

Manufacturers will identify, manage, and mitigate the negative impacts of dumping wastes;

Water and energy will be managed responsibly and efficiently. There will be responsible use, re-use, and recycling and disposal of substances and materials at all stages of operation;

There will be no contamination of water, soil or air by manufacturing operations.

7. Legality

Companies and individuals will adhere to existing applicable laws and support the establishment of legal frameworks in sectors where they do not currently exist;

Companies and individuals will comply with international conventions and national laws with regard to anti-money laundering, bribery and corruption.

8. Transparency

High standards of financial transparency and accountability principles, will be observed.

9. Closure

Companies will design and plan operations so that adequate resources are allocated to meet legal, ethical and environmental closure requirements.

10. Verification

Independent, third party verification will be sought to ensure that activities operate in accordance with stated principles and standards.

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