We monitor our suppliers’ performance and risks on an ongoing basis. Each year, we select a proportion of them to receive a third-party audit, on-site visit or desktop review, designed to identify any ESG-related risks.
In respect of raw material suppliers, we are continuously strengthening our due diligence mechanism and risk assessment criteria to address Conflict Affected and High-Risk Areas (“CAHRAs”) and anti-money laundering risks. In FY2024, we conducted due diligence on 85 of our active diamond suppliers, covering 96% of active suppliers, accompanied by relevant training and ongoing monitoring. No significant high-risk suppliers were identified. To further our supplier due diligence efforts, we will continue to press on with this process in the coming year, including report analysis and risk rating, accompanied by interviews and on-site visits to suppliers to evaluate their sustainability performance and take corrective action if necessary.
Our commitment to transparency in our supply chain is demonstrated by our promotion of ethical sourcing of diamonds to our customers. In October 2023, we opened up the process of diamond mining and processing to public inspection, initiating a series of livestreams on our social media channels. Working in partnership with our long-term supplier De Beers, we broadcast direct from the diamond mine in Botswana, featuring the process of extracting, cutting, grinding and polishing diamonds for the public audience to see.
The livestreams also highlighted the other contributions the diamond mining industry is making in the region. These include the numerous job opportunities it provides for local people and its efforts to protect the local environment.