In 2023, and the first half of 2024, GCAL by Sarine continued to uphold its commitment to ethical practices, environmental sustainability, community engagement, human rights due diligence, and employee welfare. This report outlines our achievements, challenges, and future goals in our CSR initiatives, emphasizing our dedication to maintaining the highest standards in the diamond grading industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GCAL by Sarine is dedicated to ensuring the highest level of integrity in our diamond grading processes. Our CSR efforts reflect our commitment to supporting ethical sourcing, environmental sustainability, community support, human rights due diligence, and employee well-being. This report highlights our progress and impact over the past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Policies on Ethical Sourcing:<\/strong> GCAL is committed to supporting our customers’ sourcing conflict-free diamonds and adhering strictly to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. This helps to ensure that the diamonds passing through our lab are not linked to violence or human rights abuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Initiatives to Ensure a Responsible Supply Chain:<\/strong> We partner with suppliers who share our ethical standards, in an attempt to ensure that every diamond we grade is sourced responsibly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Success Stories or Case Studies:<\/strong> One notable success this year was our collaboration with major suppliers to trace the journey of diamonds from mine to market, ensuring transparency at every step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Efforts to Reduce Carbon Footprint:<\/strong>\nGCAL has implemented energy-efficient technologies in our facilities, significantly reducing our carbon emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Policies on Waste Reduction and Recycling:<\/strong> We have comprehensive recycling programs for paper, plastic, and glass, ensuring minimal environmental impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Philanthropic Activities:<\/strong> GCAL supports many philanthropic causes, and donates annually to multiple programs, supporting Jewelers for Children<\/p>\n\n\n\n Policies on Employee Well-Being:<\/strong>\nGCAL ensures a safe and healthy work environment, prioritizing the well-being of our employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Training and Development Programs:<\/strong>\nWe provide continuous professional development opportunities, helping our employees grow and excel in their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives:<\/strong>\nGCAL promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace, valuing the unique perspectives and backgrounds of our employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Transparency in Business Practices:<\/strong>\nGCAL maintains clear and open communication with customers, building trust through transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Customer Feedback and Trust Metrics:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking ahead, GCAL is committed to enhancing our current CSR initiatives and setting new goals to further our impact. We aim to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n At GCAL, we are unwavering in our commitment to upholding and promoting human rights across our entire supply chain. Our human rights due diligence process is a cornerstone of this commitment, ensuring that every link in our supply chain adheres to the highest ethical standards. We conduct assessments of our largest customers to verify their compliance with our rigorous human rights criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Impressively, more than 90% of our major customers are either directly RJC (Responsible Jewellery Council) Certified or are wholly owned subsidiaries of RJC Certified members. This certification is a testament to their adherence to industry-leading practices in human rights, labor rights, and environmental stewardship. The remaining customers, while not RJC Certified, are led by highly reputable owners who are deeply involved in prominent industry organizations and initiatives. These leaders demonstrate a proactive and robust commitment to ethical business practices and human rights advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This thorough and meticulous due diligence process not only ensures that our operations are free from human rights violations but also reinforces our reputation as a leader in ethical diamond grading. By working closely with customers who share our values, we continually foster a supply chain that is both responsible and resilient, dedicated to making a positive impact on the industry and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GCAL by Sarine remains steadfast in our dedication to corporate social responsibility. We are proud of our achievements this year and are committed to making even greater strides in the future. We call on all stakeholders to support and engage with our CSR efforts, as we continue to set the standard for integrity and responsibility in the diamond grading industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information, please read our Policy Statement below<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Policy Statement <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n GCAL is committed to respecting every individual, be they employee, customer, supplier or the ultimate consumer. GCAL celebrates the diversity of its employees and all others, takes pride in providing fair and equitable treatment to all and strives to be socially and environmentally conscious in all it does. This Corporate Social Responsibility Policy embodies GCAL\u2019s value of ethics and responsibility, which encourages promoting the highest standards of individual behavior, personal accountability and social responsibility as a company and in all our corporate, industry and outside relationships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This Policy applies to all GCAL employees. Further, it is the responsibility of all employees to understand this Policy and to comply. Failure to comply with this Policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Responsibility <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Responsible Executive \u2013 President and Founder<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1.1 Maintain accountability for the substance, implementation and compliance of this Policy; and <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1.2 Oversee policy owner activities in the administration of this Policy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Policy Owner \u2013 COO and Compliance Officer <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2.1 Has operational responsibility for the Policy, procedures, instructions and forms under the direction of the responsible executive. This includes managing all phases of Policy initiation, development, approval, implementation, review and retirement processes. 3. Employee <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 3.1 Understands that this Policy applies to them and conducts themselves accordingly <\/p>\n\n\n\n Policy <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Laws and Regulations <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1.1 GCAL will adhere to the\ngoverning laws and best practices in the US, and countries which it serves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Internal Audits and Assessments, Certifications, Commitments<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2.1 GCAL conducts an annual,\ninternal audit and assessment, verified by internal site assessment teams, and\nin compliance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to\nensure compliance with laws and conformance with certifications and\ncommitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2.2 GCAL undergoes an annual external, third-party audit and verification assessment conducted by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to maintain its ISO 17025 Forensic Accreditation<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2.3 GCAL commits to being a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council and commits to being independently audited against the RJC Code of Practices (an international standard on responsible business practices for diamonds, gold and platinum group metals). <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Anti-Bribery and Corruption <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 3.1 GCAL has a zero tolerance policy toward bribery and corruption and does not tolerate corruption in any form, including the bribery of government officials and inducements offered to others. GCAL adheres to anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws in the in the US, and countries which it serves. Each employee is required to annually sign a policy that covers bribery, corruption, ethics, and confidentiality<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. No Retaliation <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 4.1 GCAL prohibits retaliation\nagainst any individual who in good faith files a concern or is involved as a\nwitness or participant in the concern investigation process. Engaging in\nunlawful retaliation will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination\nor dismissal from GCAL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Reporting a Concern <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 5.1 GCAL takes all concerns\nseriously. Concerns may be raised using\nthe following methods: <\/p>\n\n\n\n GCAL\u2019s ISO Customer Complaint\nMechanism: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7\nPhone: 1 212-869-8985 <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7\nEmail: iso@gemfacts.com <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Workforce <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.1 GCAL is an equal opportunity\nemployer and does not discriminate in its hiring practices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.2 GCAL prohibits unlawful\ndiscrimination or harassment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.3 GCAL provides fair and\nequitable compensation and benefits that meet or exceed the laws and regulations\nin the countries in which it operates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.4 GCAL supports and respects the\nfundamental dignity and the protection of internationally proclaimed human\nrights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.5 GCAL respects the freedom of\nassociation and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining\nas permitted by law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.6 GCAL will not restrict an\nemployee\u2019s freedom of movement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.7 GCAL will not engage in any\nform of forced or compulsory labor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.8 GCAL prohibits child labor.\nGCAL only employs those 18 years of age or older. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.9 GCAL prohibits any form of\ncorporal punishment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Health and Safety <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 7.1 GCAL will maintain a safe and\nhealthy environment for its employees and visitors, and will strive to continuously\nimprove the company\u2019s culture of safety, health and environmental stewardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. Environment <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 8.1 GCAL will promote sustainable\noperational practices whenever possible, seek to reduce waste in its facilities\nand to abide by environmental safety standards in its global communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 8.2 GCAL will strive to use its resources efficiently to meet the needs of its employees and customers, while operating in a manner that is environmentally and socially responsible and economically sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. Human Rights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n GCAL respects human rights by considering all potential and actual impacts in our operations and business relationships. We commit to, and implement, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as appropriate, in our business<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 9.1 GCAL has a human rights due diligence process to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for adverse human rights impacts that are connected to our business.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 9.2. We provide for, or support legitimate processes to enable, the remedy of any adverse human rights impacts that we have caused, contributed to or been linked with.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 9.3. GCAL will communicate annually with stakeholders about our human rights due diligence efforts and remedy activities in accordance with RJC COP <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 9.4 GCAL will communicate our human rights policies to our suppliers to ensure they are living up to the standards we have set, internally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Angelo Palmieri, VP, Partner<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gem Certification & Assurance Lab, Inc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GCAL Annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report 2023-2024 1. Executive Summary In 2023, and the first half of 2024, GCAL by Sarine continued to uphold<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,12,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-diamond","category-newsletter","category-press-release"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gcalusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gcalusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gcalusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gcalusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gcalusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=583"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.gcalusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1431,"href":"https:\/\/www.gcalusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/583\/revisions\/1431"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gcalusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gcalusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gcalusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}4. Environmental Sustainability<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Philanthropy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
6. Employee Welfare and Development<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
7. Customer Engagement and Transparency<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
8. Future Goals and Commitments<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
9. Human Rights Due Dilligence<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
10. Conclusion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2.2 Ensures that all departmental employees are aware of this Policy by providing access, assistance, interpretation, application, and communicating the Company\u2019s expectation for compliance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n