The Rio Tinto Diamonds’ Business Excellence Model (BEM) has been developed in India in 2003 for the Diamond and Jewellery Industry based on the various National and International standards such as ISO 9000, ISO 14000, OHSAS 18001 etc. With these standards, Rio Tinto seeks to ensure standards, similar to their own, in the companies with which it works. The BEM provides assurance that the companies cutting Rio Tinto-supplied diamonds are meeting appropriate standards, which, in turn, allows retailers and customers to be similarly assured.

The BEM offers a set of management tools to enable organizations to improve their performance. It also enhances standards in the Indian diamond and jewellery industry in four key areas:

• Social responsibility
• Health and safety
• Quality management
• Environmental standards

The Rio Tinto Diamonds’ Business Excellence Model does not purport to include required business provisions. Compliance with this standard does not itself confer immunity from legal obligations. Rigorous auditing of the BEM programme is undertaken by DNV, an international certification organization, which also provides comprehensive compliance testing once certification is awarded. Certification is offered to enable rough diamond manufacturers to improve international acceptance of their products and to increase their market share.

Intergold India Pvt. Ltd., an Indian entity of the Rosy Blue Group is participant in the BEM certification programme and is BEM compliant since 2005.35