Berker Policies
Ethical Policy
Berker Bros Ltd operates fair trading principles across its entire range of transactions and these include positive relationships with employees, customers and suppliers alike.
Environmental considerations also play an important role in our makeup.
Amongst the many principles and practices, we have adopted, what follows are those we consider the most important.
1. Bullion Purchases: We only buy from sources who endorse a fair mining policy, and our rings are only made from bullion supplied by them. We do not buy from regions where miners are exploited. We do not buy in scrap gold to refine as we only use our own. From January 2013, we have audited our Supply Chain and now only buy from sources that adhere to the provisions of the Dodd Frank Act, Section 1502. Full details of this Responsible Sourcing Protocol are available upon request.
2. Diamond Purchases: Our suppliers warrant that our diamonds are only sourced from non-conflict regions of the globe, and we will not do business with those who deal in conflict gems.
3. Health and Safety: We operate a rigorous due diligence policy in care for our employees, regarding all potential hazards within the workplace to ensure their safety is not compromised.
4. Protecting Our Environment: A recycling programme is in operation within our premises. Minimising the effect of our business on the environment is something we take seriously and will continue to improve on.
5 Jewellery Directives: We agree to adhere to best policy directives endorsed by the National Association of Jewellers and the Responsible Jewellery Council.
6. Commitment and Promise: We always try (wherever humanly possible) to fulfill our part of the bargain regarding delivery dates. Keeping our word and honor of a promise is our obligation and duty.
Click here to view our signed Ethical Policy ⧉
OECD Guidance to Responsible Supply Chain Policy
Conformance to the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chain
Berker Bros Ltd operates fair trading principles across its entire range of transactions and these include positive relationships with employees, customers and suppliers alike.
All materials purchased, or supplied to, Berker Bros Ltd, are subject to OECD based due diligence and other, well known responsible sourcing protocols. These materials have not been sourced, nor originate from, a Conflict affected or High Risk Area (CAHRA).
1. Bullion Purchases: We We only buy from sources who endorse a fair mining policy, and our rings are only made from bullion supplied by them. We do not buy from regions where miners are exploited. We do not buy in scrap gold to refine as we only use our own. From January 2013, we have audited our Supply Chain and now only buy from sources that adhere to the provisions of the Dodd Frank Act, Section 1502. Full details of this Responsible Sourcing Protocol are available upon request.
2. Diamond Purchases: Our suppliers warrant, that our diamonds are only sourced from non-conflict regions of the globe, and we will not do business with those who deal in conflict gems. Full details are available upon request and include adherence to the Kimberley Process and The World Diamond Council (WDC) revised System of Warranties (SoW).
3. Silver/Platinum Group Metals: These metals are sourced from conflict free areas. Full details are available upon request.
4. Jewellery Directives: We adhere to best policy directives endorsed by the National Association of Jewellers, OECD and the Responsible Jewellery Council.
5. Responsible person: Compliance Manager and HR Team at Berker Bros Ltd - If you have any questions, or wish to raise a grievance regarding the supply chain please contact Berker Bros Ltd.
Click here to view our signed OECD Guidance to Responsible Supply Chain Policy ⧉
Human Rights Policy
Respect for Human Rights is a fundamental value of Berker Bros Limited.
We strive to respect and promote human rights in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the Responsible Jewellery Council, the National Association of Jewellers and the OECD, in our relationships with our employees, suppliers and subcontractors.
This Policy is guided by international human rights principles, encompassed by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, OECD Guidelines and the Responsible Jewellery Council’s Codes of Practice.
We use due diligence, to identify and prevent human rights risks to people in our business.
If we identify adverse human rights impacts, resulting from or caused by our business activities, we are committed to provide for or cooperate in, their fair and equitable remediation.
The Human Rights Policy is overseen by the Company’s Board of Directors and the Policy, Compliance and Quality Assurance Manager.
Community and Stakeholder Engagement
We recognise that we are part of the community in which we operate and are involved with various local projects, including schools and a respite home for new mothers.
Diversity and Inclusion
We value and advance the diversity and inclusion of the people with whom we work. We are committed to equal opportunity and are intolerant of discrimination and harassment.
We work to maintain a workplace free from discrimination or harassment based on race, colour, ethnicity, caste, national origin, religion, disability or genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, union membership, political affiliation, marital status, parental or pregnancy status, physical appearance, HIV status, age or any other personal characteristic unrelated to the inherent requirements of the work or any other status protected by applicable law.
The basis for recruitment, hiring, placement, development, training, compensation, and advancement at the Company is qualifications, performance, skills and experience. We do not tolerate disrespectful or inappropriate behaviour, unfair treatment, or retaliation of any kind. Harassment is not tolerated in the workplace, or in any work-related circumstance outside the workplace.
Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
We respect our employees’ right to join, form or not to join, a labour union, without fear of reprisal, intimidation or harassment. If employees are represented, by a legally recognised union, we are committed to establishing a constructive dialogue with their freely chosen representatives. The Company is committed to bargaining in good faith with such representatives.
Safe and Healthy Workplace
The health and safety of our employees is of paramount importance. Our policy is to provide a safe and healthy workplace and comply with applicable health and safety laws and regulations, as well as internal requirements. We work to provide and maintain a safe, healthy and productive workplace, in consultation with our employees, by addressing and remediating identified risks of accidents, injury and health impacts.
Workplace Security
We are committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from violence, harassment, intimidation and other unsafe or disruptive conditions due to internal and external threats. Security safeguards for employees are provided as needed and are maintained with respect for employee privacy and dignity.
Forced Labour and Human Trafficking
We prohibit the use of all forms of forced labour, including prison labour, indentured labour, bonded labour, military labour, modern forms of slavery and any form of human trafficking.
Child Labour
We will only hire those, above the legal age for employment, for any position within the Company.
Work Hours, Wages and Benefits
We compensate employees competitively relative to the industry and local labour market and in accordance with terms of applicable collective bargaining agreements. We work to ensure full compliance with applicable wage, work hours, overtime and benefits laws.
Guidance and Reporting for Employees
We strive to create a workplace, in which open and honest communications among all employees are valued and respected. The Company is committed to comply with applicable labour and employment laws. The Company also ensures employees are aware of the Human Rights Policy through training – part of the induction process and signed off.
Any employee who believes a conflict arises, between the language of the policy and the laws, customs and practices of the place where he or she works, or who has questions about this policy, or would like to confidentially report a potential violation of this policy, should raise those questions and concerns with either, their Line Manager, Human Resources or the Policy, Compliance and Quality Assurance Manager.
No reprisal or retaliatory action will be taken against any employee, for raising concerns under this policy. The Company will investigate, address and respond to the concerns of employees and will take appropriate corrective action in response to any violation.
Berker Bros Limited’s Human Rights Policy, is also aligned with the following policies:
- Ethical Policy
- Supply Chain Due Diligence Policy
- Ethical Policy (Version 3, 4/3/19)
- Conformance To the OECD Due Diligence Guide for Responsible Supply Chain
- Policy & Implementation
Click here to view our signed Human Right Policy ⧉
Supply Chain Due Diligence Policy
1. Berker Bros Ltd - UK is a Wedding ring manufacturer. This policy confirms Berker Bros Ltd - UK is committed to respect human rights, avoid contributing to the finance of conflict and comply with all relevant UN sanctions, resolutions, and laws.
2. Berker Bros Ltd - UK is a certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). As such, we commit to proving, through independent third-party verification, that we:
a. respect human rights according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Labour Organization Fundamental Rights at Work.
b. does not engage in or tolerate bribery, corruption, money laundering or finance of terrorism.
c. support transparency of government payments and rights-compatible security forces in the extractives industry.
d. do not provide direct or indirect support to illegal armed groups; and
e. enables stakeholders to voice concerns about the jewellery supply chain.
f. are implementing the OECD 5-Step framework as a management process for risk based due diligence for responsible supply chains of minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas.
3. We also commit to using our influence to prevent abuses by others.
4. Regarding serious abuses associated with the extraction, transport or trade of minerals and gemstones: We will neither tolerate nor profit from, contribute to, assist, or facilitate the commission of:
a. torture, cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.
b. forced or compulsory labour;
c. the worst forms of child labour;
d. human rights violations and abuses; or
e. war crimes, violations of international humanitarian law, crimes against humanity or genocide.
5. We will immediately stop engaging with upstream suppliers if we find a reasonable risk that they are committing abuses described in 4 or are sourcing from, or linked to, any party committing these abuses.
6. Regarding direct or indirect support to non-state armed groups:
We only sell or purchase diamonds that are fully compliant with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and The World Diamond Council (WDC) revised System of Warranties (SoW). As such, we will not tolerate direct or indirect support to non-state armed groups, including, but not limited to, procuring minerals and gemstones/coloured gemstones from, making payments to, or otherwise helping or equipping non-state armed groups or their affiliates who illegally:
a. control mine sites, transportation routes, points where minerals and gemstones/coloured gemstones are traded and upstream actors in the supply chain; or
b. tax or extort money or minerals and gemstones/coloured gemstones at mine sites, along transportation routes or at points where minerals and gemstones/coloured gemstones are traded, or from intermediaries, export companies or international traders.
8. Regarding public or private security forces:
We affirm that the role of public or private security forces is to provide security to workers, facilities, equipment, and property in accordance with the rule of law, including law that guarantees human rights. We will not provide direct or indirect support to public or private security forces that commit abuses described in paragraph 4 or that act illegally as described in paragraph 6.
9. Regarding bribery and fraudulent misrepresentation of the origin of minerals and gemstones/coloured gemstones:
We will not offer, promise, give or demand bribes, and will resist the solicitation of bribes, to conceal or disguise the origin of minerals and gemstones/coloured gemstones, or to misrepresent taxes, fees and royalties paid to governments for the purposes of extraction, trade, handling, transport and export of minerals and gemstones.
10. Regarding money laundering:
We will support and contribute to efforts to eliminate money laundering where weidentify a reasonable risk resulting from, or connected to, the extraction, trade,handling, transport, or export of minerals and gemstones/coloured gemstones.
11. Grievance / Complaints Policy / Procedures
Berker Bros Ltd - UK recognizes that it is normal for conflicts, complaints,grievances, disputes, and disagreements to arise in business practices and that theirresolution may contain valuable lessons for the further development of a businessrelationship that is fair to all and free of unfair discrimination and harassment. Thispolicy is in place at Berker Bros Ltd – UK to ensure that business partners who feelaggrieved shall have an opportunity to raise those grievances / complaints and tohave them resolved in a fair and expeditious manner. Please request for grievance /complaints from HR department at Berker Bros Ltd - UK.
We will require that all suppliers to conform and confirm their commitment and compliance to Berker Bros Ltd - UK – Supply Chain Due Diligence Policy.
Customer Care
© 2024 Berker Bros Ltd All Rights Reserved
Release version 0.2.0