PARTNER VENDORS CODE OF CONDUCT
Official Policies – GemCloud Group
INTRODUCTION
GemCloud is a software company that develops digital solutions specifically tailored for the colored gemstone industry.
Gemolith is a marketplace powered by GemCloud.
At GemCloud we are committed to encourage, recognize and communicate reponsible sourcing practices in environmental, social and governance areas (ESG) Aware of the social and environmental challenges that surround the colored gemstones supply chain, we are eager to contribute to catalysing positive change in the industry.
Gemolith – as a part of The GemCloud group – respect, promotes and upholds the commitments of the Gemstones and Jewellery Community (https://gemstones- and jewellery.com), an initiative uniting all colored gemstones business around a shared vision for a transparent and responsible industry.
In addition to complying with all applicable laws and regulations, GemCloud Partners Vendors are expected to uphold the Gemstones and Jewellery Community and GemCloud commitments, in line with GemCloud requirements for vendors described below.
COMMITMENTS
POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
We commit to apply clear policies, suitable systems and appropriate expctations to manage our organisations responsibly.
BUSINESS ETHICS AND INTEGRITY
We commit to conduct our business ethically, to comply with the law, and to forbid bribery and to prevent all forms of corruption and other illegal activities.
RESPONSIBLE SOURCING
We commit to better understand the sources of the materials and products we buy from mine to market and to support responsible production wherever possible.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUALITY
We commit to uphold the fundamental human rights of each individual, and to encourage inclusion and equality in our organisations and in the gemstone and jewellery community.
LABOUR RIGHTS AND FAIR WORKING CONDITIONS
We commit to respect the rights of our workers and to treat them justly, employ them in regular compliance with the laws of the country, and respect human rights, providing fair working conditions.
HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
We commit to provide safe working conditions for our workers. We consider the sector in which our employees operate, and the risks connected to the activities and operations carried out, and assure a healthy and hygienic environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
We commit to respect natural resources, ecosystems, and wildlife, we strive to take action to minimise our impact on the natural
environment.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
We commit to support the sustainable advancement of the communities that contribute to and depend on the gemstone and jewellery value chain, in any
way practical.
RESPONSIBLE MINING
We commit to encourage and put in place responsible mining practices to reduce the impact of operations on communities and on the natural environment.
PRODUCT TRANSPARENCY
We commit to ensure transparent communication about the provenance of our products, and on the characteristics that make them unique.
EXPECTATIONS FOR GEMCLOUD PARTNER VENDORS
We acknowledge that the level of implementation and integration of good practices within a company takes time. For this reason, we expect our vendors to meet GemCloud’s minimum requirements, described below, and encourage then to strive towards ever improving performances, at their own pace (see section Participation in the Gemstones and Jewellery Community Platform below). Vendors are expected to meet the following requirements: Compliance: vendors will comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including employment, environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. Child labour: vendors will not employ children under the age of 15, or under the age for completing compulsory education or the legal minimum age for employment in the country, whichever age is greatest. In addition, vendors will not be involved any type of work which, by its nature or the conditions in which it is carried out, is likely to compromise health, safety, integrity or morality of children (worst forms of child labour). Forced labour: vendors will not be involved in any form of forced labour or compulsory labour, and any other form of modern slavery and human trafficking.
Non-discrimination: vendors will not discriminate based on race; ethnicity; gender; ability; religious, sexual, or political orientation, and any other forms discrimination in all stages of their employment practices. Harassment: vendors will not be involved in any form of psychological harassment, notably sexual harassment, and any form of intimidation, threat or coercion of a sexual nature or any promise of recompense in return for sexual favors. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining: vendors will respect employees’ right of representation and free speech, freedom of association and collective wage bargaining. Vendors will alert GemCloud of any serious difficulty impeding the application of these requirements.
PARTICIPATION IN THE GEMSTONES AND JEWELLERY COMMUNITY PLATFORM
To uphold GemCloud commitments, which reflect those of the Gemstones and Jewellery Community Platform, vendors will need to:
Sign up to the Gemstones and Jewellery Community Platform via the login provided in their GemCloud interface.
Uphold to the Gemstones and Jewellery Community Platform commitments following sign-up.
- Complete the full self-assessment available in the Platform within 6(six)
months from your on-boarding in GemCloud Partner Vendor Program. - Based on the results of the self-assessment, strive for continuous
progress, and leverage on the learning resources and tools available
in the Platform to learn and implement good practices within their
businesses. Where relevant gaps are alerted, vendors are expected
to take immediate corrective action to prevent, mitigate, and address
risks related to their business practices and/or supply chains.
Vendors are encouraged to submit their Self Assessment for independent verification (remotely and/or on-site) through the Gemstones and Jewellery Community Platform, and GemCloud reserves the right to introduce such activity as a requirement for vendors in the future.
- Vendors’ commitments and verification status (Participant, Self-Assessed,
and, where relevant, E-Verified and On-Site Verified) will be displayed in
the vendor’s profile in the GemCloud software.
DISCLAIMER
At all times, we reserve the right to suspend, discontinue or terminate
relationships with vendors when we have reason to suspect or it is
verified that the supplier:
- is in breach of the law, or
- refuses or fails to demonstrate reasonable and timely efforts to
implement the corrective actions indicated in the improvement plan
received following a self-assessment andlor independent
verification.
We recognize that local circumstances may pose significant challenges
in implementing the Commitments requested by GemCloud.
For this reason, our team aims to deliver accessible solutions to support
our vendors in their capacity building efforts.
We encourage our Partner Vendors to request that the same
Commitment are upheld by their own business partners. GemCloud
Vendors remain guarantors towards GemCloud for work performed by
their subcontractors and suppliers and guarantee respect by their
subcontractors and suppliers of this Vendors Code of Conduct and
relevant requirements.