Home lifestyle Watches and Jewellery CIBJO Introduces Clearer Defin...

CIBJO Introduces Clearer Definition for Recycled Gold Sourcing

Watches and Jewellery

Business Honor
31 March, 2025

CIBJO introduces new recycled gold definition to improve transparency, ethical sourcing, and reduce misleading claims.

The International Confederation of Jewellery, Silver, Diamonds, and Gemstones (CIBJO) has put forward a new definition of recycled gold as part of measures to enhance transparency and promote responsible sourcing in the jewelry sector. Its reclassification, following wide consultations with experts in the industry, distinguishes pre-consumer and post-consumer gold in better terms and provides improved guidelines for businesses and consumers.

CIBJO's new lexicon aims to eliminate uncertainty around recycled gold claims in a way that gold reclaimed from production streams (pre-consumer) and gold reclaimed from end-of-use products such as jewelry or electronics (post-consumer) can be described beyond any doubt. The move is directed towards addressing growing fears of "greenwashing" and false environmental claims, and fostering accountability throughout the gold refining and manufacturing industry.

The new definition was created in collaboration with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which is currently formulating wider international standards for responsible sourcing of gold. The effort fits into existing work to harmonize gold sourcing processes across industries.

"More precise definitions are important to prevent consumer confusion and inconsistencies in trade practices," stated CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri. The new definition establishes strict criteria for what can be considered recycled gold, beyond many current industry standards.

The main industry players, including the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and the World Gold Council (WGC), are weighing up the adoption of the updated definition to include in their responsible sourcing systems. The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has already included a similar classification in its updated chain of Custody standard.

Through this action, CIBJO intends to improve confidence in recycled gold claims, support ethical gold sourcing, and have a more sustainable and transparent supply chain of gold. The project is to bring benefits to the jewelry and watch sectors by giving clearer standards for responsible sourcing of gold.