RJC Appoints Visionary Leaders Sara Yood and Eduard Stefanescu as New Co-Chairs of Standards Committee
In a significant move poised to shape the future of global jewelry sustainability, the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has announced the appointment of two distinguished industry leaders as the new co-chairs of its influential Standards Committee. Sara Yood, President and CEO of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), and Eduard Stefanescu, Sustainability Manager at the renowned German precious metals company C.Hafner, will assume their new roles on January 1.
This strategic leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment for the jewelry and watch industry, as stakeholders from miners to retailers face increasing pressure to demonstrate transparency, uphold rigorous ethical standards, and navigate a complex landscape of global regulations.
A New Era of Leadership for the RJC Standards Committee
The RJC Standards Committee is the backbone of the organization’s mission to create a sustainable supply chain. It is the body responsible for reviewing, developing, and maintaining the rigorous frameworks that define “responsible business” in the jewelry sector. With the appointment of Yood and Stefanescu, the RJC is signaling a commitment to combining deep legal and regulatory expertise with technical, on-the-ground sustainability management.
The duo takes the helm from an accomplished pair of outgoing co-chairs: Purvi Shah, who is set to ascend to the role of RJC’s Executive Director, and Ainsley Butler, the Global Head of Programs for the non-profit Building Markets. The transition ensures continuity while injecting fresh perspectives into the committee’s critical work.
Strategic Appointments for a Changing Industry
The selection of Yood and Stefanescu represents a perfect synergy of skills. As the industry grapples with the definition of “greenwashing,” the rise of laboratory-grown materials, and the need for verified provenance, the Standards Committee requires leadership that can parse dense legal texts as effectively as they can implement practical supply chain solutions.
“The work of the Standards Committee is where the rubber meets the road for the RJC,” noted an industry analyst. “Having co-chairs who understand both the legal ramifications of compliance and the scientific realities of precious metal refining is a powerful asset.”
Meet the Co-Chairs: Expertise Meets Passion
The incoming co-chairs bring vastly different but complementary backgrounds to the table, uniting American legal advocacy with European technical precision.
Sara Yood: Legal Acumen and a Passion for Policy
Sara Yood is a recognizable and respected figure in the jewelry trade, known for her intellect, energy, and unwavering commitment to legal integrity. As the President, CEO, and General Counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), she has spent over a decade guiding the industry through the thicket of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, FTC guidelines, and intellectual property laws.
Yood’s journey to the top of the JVC has been marked by a hands-on approach to advocacy. She is not merely an administrator but a thought leader who actively engages with government bodies to ensure that jewelry regulations are both robust and practical. Her appointment as co-chair is particularly apt given her self-professed love for the detailed, often tedious work of policy formulation.
In a statement regarding her appointment, Yood expressed an enthusiasm that few could match regarding regulatory documentation:
“Not everyone would be excited to review and revise such a dense text, but I find the process invigorating.”
This quote highlights exactly why Yood is the ideal fit for the role. The RJC standards are complex, technical documents that require a meticulous eye to ensure they are legally sound and applicable across 74 countries. Yood’s ability to find energy in this complexity suggests that the committee will be proactive in refining standards that are not only comprehensive but also clear and enforceable.
Eduard Stefanescu: A Geoscientist’s Perspective on Sustainability
On the other side of the partnership is Eduard Stefanescu, the Sustainability Manager at C.Hafner, one of Europe’s leading providers of precious metals technology and recycling services. Unlike Yood’s legal background, Stefanescu comes from the world of hard science. A geoscientist by training, he possesses a deep technical understanding of mineralogy, extraction, and the chemical processes involved in refining precious metals.
Since joining the sector, Stefanescu has dedicated himself to the granular details of responsible supply chains. His work at C.Hafner focuses on achieving carbon neutrality and ensuring that every ounce of recycled gold or silver can be traced and verified. He is deeply involved in European sustainability platforms, chairing working groups for both the European and German Precious Metals Federations.
Stefanescu views his new role at the RJC as an opportunity to cement the organization’s status as the global benchmark. He stated that his goal is to:
“Help RJC remain the front-runner in developing standards and guidance that embed sustainability, ESG principles, transparency, and responsible supply chains—while encouraging collaboration and constructive dialogue across the industry.”
His focus on “constructive dialogue” is crucial. As European Union regulations regarding due diligence and carbon reporting become stricter, Stefanescu’s experience in the German market—often a forerunner in environmental policy—will be invaluable in helping RJC members adapt to these shifts.
The Critical Role of the RJC Standards Committee
To understand the weight of this appointment, one must understand the scope of the RJC Standards Committee. This group does not simply issue guidelines; they maintain the “operating system” for ethical jewelry businesses worldwide. The committee oversees three primary pillars of industry governance.
Upholding the Code of Practices (COP)
The Code of Practices (COP) is the mandatory certification for all RJC members. It acts as a comprehensive rulebook covering human rights, labor rights, environmental impact, and mining practices.
- Recent Updates: The committee recently oversaw the launch of the COP 2024, a modernized version of the standard designed to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
- The Co-Chairs’ Role: Yood and Stefanescu will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of this updated code, ensuring that auditors interpret it consistently, and beginning the long cycle of gathering data for future revisions.
Ensuring Traceability with Chain of Custody (COC)
While the COP focuses on how a business operates, the Chain of Custody (COC) standard focuses on what materials they handle. The COC is a voluntary standard for gold, silver, and platinum group metals (PGMs) that allows businesses to track material from mine (or recycler) to retail.
- The Traceability Imperative: In an era where sanctions on Russian diamonds and concerns over conflict gold are paramount, the COC standard is more relevant than ever. Stefanescu’s background in precious metal recycling will be vital here, as the industry seeks to differentiate between mined and recycled inputs while maintaining integrity in both streams.
Pioneering the Laboratory Grown Materials Standard (LGMS)
Perhaps the most significant recent development is the introduction of the Laboratory Grown Materials Standard (LGMS). As lab-grown diamonds and gemstones capture a larger share of the market, the industry has recognized the need for a dedicated framework to govern their production.
- Setting the Benchmark: This new standard aims to ensure that “lab-grown” does not mean “unregulated.” It addresses issues specific to the manufacturing sector, such as energy consumption, chemical waste management, and clear consumer disclosure.
- A New Frontier: Yood’s experience with FTC guidelines (which heavily govern the marketing of lab-grown stones) will be essential as the committee refines this standard to prevent greenwashing and ensure consumers are not misled.
Building on a Strong Foundation: The Outgoing Leadership
The incoming co-chairs are inheriting a committee that is in excellent health, thanks to the tireless work of their predecessors.
Purvi Shah’s Transition to Executive Director
Purvi Shah, the outgoing co-chair, is not leaving the RJC but rather stepping up to lead it. Currently the Head of Ethical and Sustainable Value Chains at De Beers, Shah has been appointed as the RJC’s new Executive Director, effective in early 2026.
- A Legacy of Action: During her tenure on the committee, Shah was instrumental in the development of the COP 2024 and the LGMS. Her deep experience at De Beers, where she led “Best Practice Principles,” allowed her to bridge the gap between corporate strategy and ethical necessity.
- Future Collaboration: Her move to the Executive Director role suggests a seamless alignment between the RJC’s operational leadership and its Standards Committee. Yood and Stefanescu will likely work closely with Shah to execute the vision she helped formulate.
Ainsley Butler’s Contribution
Ainsley Butler, the other outgoing co-chair, brought a vital developmental perspective to the group. As the Global Head of Programs for Building Markets, a non-profit that connects small businesses in developing countries to global supply chains, Butler ensured that the RJC’s standards remained accessible to smaller players. Her legacy is one of inclusivity, ensuring that “responsible sourcing” does not become a barrier to entry for artisanal miners and small enterprises.
Future Outlook: Transparency, ESG, and Global Collaboration
As the calendar turns to 2025 and beyond, the RJC Standards Committee faces a landscape defined by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. Investors, governments, and consumers are demanding data-backed evidence of sustainability.
Under the guidance of Yood and Stefanescu, the committee is expected to focus on several key areas:
- Regulatory Alignment: Harmonizing RJC standards with emerging laws, such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the US rigorous anti-money laundering protocols.
- Climate Action: Moving beyond basic environmental compliance to active carbon footprint reduction, a field where Stefanescu’s expertise will be crucial.
- Technological Integration: Exploring how blockchain and digital ledgers can support the Chain of Custody standards to provide irrefutable proof of provenance.
Conclusion
The appointment of Sara Yood and Eduard Stefanescu marks a reinvigorated chapter for the Responsible Jewellery Council. By combining Yood’s legal precision and regulatory foresight with Stefanescu’s scientific rigor and sustainability experience, the RJC is well-positioned to maintain its status as the global authority on jewelry standards.
As the industry navigates a future where trust is the ultimate currency, the work of this committee—reviewing dense texts, debating technical thresholds, and fostering dialogue—will be the foundation upon which the reputation of the entire global jewelry trade rests. Stakeholders can look forward to a period of robust, transparent, and technically sound governance under this dynamic new leadership.
