Jewellery
Jewellery Certification
About the certification
Friend of the Earth Jewellery Certification assesses specified jewellery products and the activities involved in their supply and production. The assessment reviews evidence against the requirements applicable to the agreed scope.
Certification applies to the products identified in that scope. It does not automatically cover every piece sold by the business or transfer from a certified supplier to a finished product.
What can be certified
Jewellery containing precious metals, mined or organic gems, recycled components and laboratory-grown or synthetic gems can be submitted for assessment.
Identify the pieces or product lines you want assessed, their materials and production locations. The team reviews the proposed products before confirming the assessment scope.
Who can apply
Jewellery manufacturers and brands seeking certification for specified products can submit an application. Describe your role in the supply chain and identify any production carried out by other businesses so the team can confirm the assessment arrangements.
What the standard covers
Maintain valid permits, batch records and staff training. Material reconciliation allows a maximum 2% discrepancy, accounting for documented scrap.
Exclude mining in IUCN Category I–IV protected areas. Assess mine-site impacts and biodiversity. Control discharges, dust and hazardous waste, and secure restoration funding.
Verify at least 70% recycled metal and stone weight, excluding internal run-around scrap. Meet refining energy, chemical and water criteria.
Source at least 80% renewable electricity for gem growth. Meet carbon, cooling-water recovery and waste-handling criteria.
Control refining gases, plating wastewater, polishing residues and cutting dust. Meet casting-waste and manufacturing-energy limits.
Prohibit child and forced labour; document living wages, overtime, protective equipment, injury rates and equal pay.
Exclude single-use non-recyclable plastics. Document qualifying recycled content or certified packaging materials.
Provide a published repair policy and an active take-back or trade-in programme.
Traceability from materials to jewellery
Keep the connection between the certificate and the products clear. Identify the pieces or lines covered in your product descriptions, sales materials and label use. Keep the supporting records available for assessment and update them when products, suppliers or production arrangements change.
A certified supplier does not automatically make your finished jewellery certified. Confirm that the finished product and the relevant activities fall within the approved scope before making a certification claim.
Independent certification
An independent certification body assesses the proposed scope and supporting evidence. It reviews the audit findings before deciding whether certification can be issued. Your assessment arrangements and any actions needed after the audit are confirmed for your application.
How certification works
1. Apply
Send details of your business and the jewellery you want assessed. Identify the product lines, materials, suppliers, production locations and outsourced processes.
2. Confirm scope and costs
Review the proposed scope, applicable requirements and agreement. Confirm the logo-use fees, audit quotation and assessment arrangements before proceeding.
3. Complete the independent audit
Make the requested records and facilities available. Organise supplier documents, production records and other evidence around the products and processes being assessed.
4. Address findings
Complete the required actions and provide evidence within the deadlines confirmed by the certification body. Ask the assessor to explain any finding that needs clarification.
5. Receive the certification decision
The certification body reviews the assessment and decides whether to issue certification for the defined scope. Use the approved scope when describing your certification.
6. Maintain certification
Keep records current and complete the required follow-up assessments. Report changes affecting the approved scope. Use the logo in accordance with the applicable authorisation and usage rules.
Certification fees
Request the fees and an audit quotation for your proposed jewellery scope. Confirm the logo-use charges and separate audit costs, including any applicable taxes, before signing the agreement.
Standards and supporting documents
Check certification status
Look for the Friend of the Earth logo. Find the ID. Verify.
Use the ID to find the certification record. Check the certificate holder, products and scope covered, current status and validity dates. Refer to the certificate when deciding whether a particular piece or product line is included.
Frequently asked questions
Identify the pieces or product lines you want assessed when applying. The team will confirm the proposed scope and the information needed to distinguish these products from items outside it.
Certification covers only the products and activities in the approved scope. Check the certificate before describing a piece or collection as certified.
Declare the materials used in each proposed product and provide their supporting records. The assessor determines which requirements apply to the sourcing and production processes involved.
No. The relevant requirements and supporting evidence must be assessed. A material description alone does not establish certification of the finished jewellery.
Submit current certificates and their scopes with the supporting documents. The assessor will confirm whether they provide relevant evidence; they do not automatically grant Friend of the Earth certification.
Identify the businesses and processes involved in making the proposed products. Confirm the documentation and access arrangements needed for the assessment before the audit.
Confirm your own approved product scope and obtain the applicable logo-use authorisation. A supplier’s certificate does not automatically extend certification or label-use rights to your business.
The issued certificate states its validity period. Continue meeting the requirements and complete the applicable follow-up and renewal activities. Check the directory for current status.
Apply for certification
Tell us about the jewellery you want assessed, its materials and the businesses involved in production. Our team will confirm the proposed scope, evidence needed and next steps.
