IGI gains re-certification, re-accreditation

 New York--The International Gemological Institute recently received recognition from two organizations for meeting certain standards in two separate phases of its operations.

The Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC) has granted three-year re-certification to the International Gemological Institute (IGI)—North & South America, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has granted the lab re-accreditation for ISO 9001:2008.

The RJC awards certification to organizations that meet its ethical, social and environmental standards. The RJC comprises more than 500 member companies that cover all points on the jewelry supply chain, from mining of gemstones and metals to retail sales.

The RJC audits and certifies each of its members against the RJC Codes of Practices, which address human rights, labor rights, environmental impact, mining practices, product disclosure and other issues.

The ISO is a network of national standards institutes from more than 150 countries working in partnership with industry and consumer representatives, international organizations, and governments to more directly link business objectives with effectiveness.

ISO 9001:2008 is specific to the network’s requirements for a quality management system. To be accredited, an organization must demonstrate its ability to consistently provide a product or service that meets customer needs and any applicable regulatory requirements.

The accreditation requires that the organization have processes in place for continual improvement of the system and to ensure conformity to customer and regulatory requirements.

IGI—North & South America has maintained ISO accreditation consecutively for 10 years.

“These essential recognitions from RJC and ISO reflect our dedication to providing accurate and trustworthy product information to consumers, as well as our devotion to excellence in every business operation phase,” IGI President & CEO Jerry Ehrenwald said.

“One of our fundamental goals is to provide customers with the maximum quality of services available. The fact that we maintain certification by these organizations demonstrates our long-term commitment to that goal. The Institute looks forward to continuing to work alongside RJC and ISO to further all aspects of the industry.”

IGI—North & South America was established in 1975 and provides grading, identification, and appraisal reports of gemstones and fine jewelry, as well as gemological educational courses.