Responsible Jewellery Council
GARAUDE is a supplier of colored gemstones. Since 1981, Garaude has specialized in high-end natural emeralds, rubies, sapphires and spinels. Our offices are located in Paris and Bangkok, the company employs a total of 20 people.
GARAUDE supports sustainable development and is a member of the Responsible Jewelery Council (RJC)
The RJC has developed a benchmark for creating standards for the jewelry supply chain and developing credible mechanisms to verify responsible business practices, through third party audit.
As a member of the RJC, we are committed to conducting our business in accordance with the RJC Code of Practice. We are committed to integrating ethical human rights, social and environmental considerations into our day-to-day operations, business planning activities and decision-making processes.
Human Rights
GARAUDE undertakes to respect all human rights in its own operations and commercial relations. In accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), by implementing the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the relevant conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO). Our human rights policy covers the following key commitments:
All forms of violence and harassment in the workplace are prohibited, including, but not limited to, corporal punishment, harsh or degrading treatment, sexual or physical harassment, mental, physical, verbal or sexual abuse, reprisals, coercion and intimidation. Direct and indirect harassment in any form is not acceptable in the workplace. We are committed to ensuring that our employees are free from harassment, violence or threats.
This extends to their families and colleagues. Never engage in child labor (including the worst forms of child labor) or knowingly support it, as defined by Conventions 138 and 182 of the International Labor Organization (ILO); Never engage in forced labor, as defined by Convention 29 of the International Labor Organization (ILO), nor knowingly support it, including debt bondage, deceptive recruitment, human trafficking and contract labor or involuntary prison labor.
Provide a safe and healthy working environment for all employees;
Treat employees with dignity and respect, which includes: Guarantee fair and transparent disciplinary and complaints procedures. Recognize and respect the rights of all employees; associate freely and engage in collective bargaining. Provide all employees with fair employment conditions and statutory benefits. Prohibit all forms of discrimination, including, but not limited to, discrimination based on race, color, ethnic origin, caste, national origin, religion, disability or genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, trade union membership, political affiliation, marital status, parental status or pregnancy, physical appearance, HIV status, age or any other personal characteristic unrelated to the inherent demands of the job. Promote human rights in our relationships with our business partners and other relevant stakeholders.
GARAUDE expects all its employees, suppliers and subcontractors to take measures to ensure compliance with this policy.
GARAUDE undertakes to comply with all applicable labor laws regarding employee working hours and overtime.
Employees’ normal workweek, excluding overtime, should not exceed 39 hours in the Paris office and 40 hours in the Bangkok office. Overtime is done on a voluntary basis and the sum of the normal work week plus overtime must not exceed 44 hours per week in both offices.
Supply Chain Policy
1. This policy confirms GARAUDE’S commitment to respect human rights, avoid contributing to the finance of conflict and complies with all relevant UN sanctions, resolutions and laws.
2. As a member of the Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC). We commit to proving, through independent third-party verification, that we:
1. a) Respect human rights according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Labour Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work;
2. b) Do not engage in or tolerate bribery, corruption, money laundering or finance of terrorism;
3. c) Support transparency of government payments and rights- compatible security forces in the extractives industry;
4. d) Do not provide direct or indirect support to illegal armed groups;
5. e) Enable stakeholders to voice concerns about the jewelry supply chain;
6. f) Are implementing the OECD five-step framework as a management process for risk-based due diligence for responsible supply chains of minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas.
3. We commit to using our influence to prevent abuse by others.
4. Regarding serious abuse associated with the extraction, transport or trade of colored gemstones: We will neither tolerate nor profit from, contribute to, assist or facilitate the commission of:
- a) Torture, cruel inhumane and degrading treatment;
- b) Forced or compulsory labour;
- c) The worst forms of child labour;
- d) Human rights violations and abuse;
- e) War crimes, violations of international humanitarian law, crimes against humanity or genocide.
5. We will immediately stop engaging with upstream suppliers, if we find a reasonable risk that they are committing abuse as stated in paragraph 3 or we find they are sourcing from, or linked to, any party committing abuse.
6. Regarding direct or indirect support to non-state armed groups: We will not tolerate direct or indirect support to non-state armed groups, including but not limited
to; procuring colored gemstones from, making payments to, or otherwise helping or equipping non-state armed groups or their affiliates who illegally:
- a) Control mine sites, control transportation routes, and control points where colored gemstones are traded to upstream actors in the supply chain;
- b) Tax or extort money, or minerals at mine sites, along transportation routes or at points where colored gemstones are traded, or come from intermediaries, export companies or international traders.
7. We will immediately stop engaging with upstream suppliers, if we find a reasonable risk that they are sourcing from, or they are linked to any party providing direct or indirect support to non-state armed groups as described in paragraph 6.
8. Regarding public or private security forces:
We affirm that the role of public or private security forces is to provide security to workers, facilities, equipment and property. In accordance with the rule of law, including law that guarantees human rights. We will not provide direct or indirect support to public or private security forces that commit abuse stated in paragraph 3, or that act illegally as stated in paragraph 5.
9. Regarding bribery and fraudulent misrepresentation of the origins of colored gemstones:
We will not offer, promise, give or demand bribes, and will resist the solicitation of bribes. We will not conceal or disguise the origin of colored gemstones, or to misrepresent taxes, fees and royalties paid to governments for the purposes of extraction, trade, handling, transport and export of colored gemstones.
10. Regarding money laundering:
We will support and contribute to efforts to eliminate money laundering, upon identifying a reasonable risk resulting from or connected to the extraction, trade, handling, transport or export of colored gemstones.
Corruption
GARAUDE prohibits corruption in all business practices and transactions carried out by its employees and by agents acting on its behalf. For the purposes of this policy, corruption is defined as giving, offering or receiving an unfair advantage from or to: A civil servant or a public official; A candidate, party or political official; Any employee, director or manager of the private sector, or their agents or representatives.
All GARAUDE employees are protected against any sanction or negative consequence for having identified concerns related to suspicion of corruption, for refusing to participate in acts of corruption or for refusing to pay a facilitation payment when such payments are made. prohibited.
GARAUDE undertakes not to engage in or contribute to money laundering or the financing of terrorism and is fully compliant with the laws and regulations applicable to the fight against money laundering.
GARAUDE has implemented Know Your Counterparty (KYC) procedures for: Establish the identity of all counterparties; Check that the counterparties and, if applicable, check that the beneficial owners are not named on the relevant government lists for the persons or organizations involved in money laundering, fraud or involvement with prohibited organizations and / or those who finance the conflict; Maintain an understanding of the nature and legitimacy of businesses operated by counterparties and; monitor transactions for any unusual or suspicious activity.
Token of Appreciation
The acceptance or offering of gifts by employees and / or agents must be approved. Receiving and giving gifts is not practiced within day to day operations. Some allowance is made for giving or receiving small gifts such as during holiday seasons or other special occasions.
Environmental Management
GARAUDE is committed to reducing and managing the environmental impacts of its business activities by implementing an effective environmental management system. This includes, but is not limited to: Responsible management of all waste and emissions to air, water and soil. The implementation of energy efficiency and water management measures. Seeking responsible and efficient use of other natural resources, where appropriate.
In order to obtain effective and reliable control of exposure to dangerous substances, GARAUDE undertakes to apply the following eight generic principles of the COSHH regulation (Control of substances dangerous to health); Design and implement processes and
activities aimed at minimizing the emission, release and spread of substances hazardous to health. Consider all relevant routes of exposure – inhalation, skin absorption and ingestion – when developing control measures. Control exposure by measures proportionate to the risk to health. Choose the most effective and reliable control options that minimize the leakage and spread of substances hazardous to health. When adequate exposure control cannot be obtained by other means, provide, in combination with other control measures, appropriate personal protective equipment. Regularly check and review all elements of the control measures to ensure that they remain effective. Inform and train all employees on the dangers and risks associated with the substances with which they work and on the use of control measures developed to minimize the risks. Ensure that the introduction of control measures does not increase the overall risk to health and safety. Workplace Exposure Limits (LEP) are set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) with the aim of preventing excessive exposure to specific hazardous substances by limiting exposure below a given limit. LEP is the maximum concentration of an airborne substance, averaged over a reference period, to which employees can be exposed by inhalation.
Following the speech of our President Emmanuel Macron on national day, 14th of July 2022, The “energy sobriety plan”, GARAUDE decided to establish a charter of ecological commitments within the company in order to reduce our energy consumption.
– Turn off all electronic appliances such as computer, screen, printers, AC/Heaters , lights…etc after the end of every working day.
– Unplug sockets on the weekends and during annual closings.
– During winter season, the heaters would be used only upto 21 degrees and the windows would be closed during the utilization of the heaters.
– During summer, the windows would be closed when using the A/C.
– During summer time the use of hot water would be restricted.
– Garaude follows a recycling waste process.
Product Information
GARAUDE will not make any false, misleading or deceptive statements, or any material omissions in the sale, advertising or marketing of jewelry products and materials. We are further committed to disclosing information on the physical characteristics of jewelry products and materials in accordance with the standards of the Responsible Jewelery Council (RJC) Code of Practice.
Grievance Management and non-retaliation
GARAUDE has established this complaint management procedure to listen to concerns about circumstances in the supply chain.
Upon receipt of the complaint, we will endeavor to:
– Obtain an accurate report of the complaint;
– Explain our complaint handling procedure;
– Establish how the complainant would like the complaint to be handled;
– Decide who is the appropriate person internally to handle the complaint or help redirect the complaint to another entity, such as the relevant supplier or industry;
– Obtain further information, if necessary, where the issue can be handled internally;
– Identify any actions we should take or follow up on the situation;
– To submit a complaint or suggest an improvement, customers could fill in the form on the “Help” section on the footer menu which would be taken care by the Garaude team.
– Inform the complainant of decisions or findings; and
– To keep the complaints received and the internal procedure followed in our archives for at least five years.
GARAUDE wants to promote a culture where employees can speak freely to managers, supervisors, etc. about ethical issues they may encounter within the company and in their business interactions.
Garaude SAS managers, supervisors and employees must not retaliate in any way against anyone who reports in good faith inappropriate conduct: violation of the law, company policy, regulatory requirements, harassment, etc.
Anyone who reports in good faith can expect GN to protect them from any type of retaliation or harassment as a result of the report.
Health and safety
To make all the employees feel safe and secure while working, GARAUDE provided to all a safety training with a security specialist (ex agent from Mossad) and first aid training done by first responders from the fire department.
Following the security training, GARAUDE set up specific security procedures within the company.