“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

“Our Common Future: Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development” (UN Documents)

Sustainability requires a complete approach encompassing nature, the social and economic dimensions, and the wellbeing of individuals.  We recognize our responsibility towards our environment, i.e. the network of people, laws, values, other organizations, and our planet.  All factors must be considered and respected to be successful without destroying other people’s ability to also achieve their potential, now and in the future.

As you scroll through this page you will see the many ways we put our commitment into practice.

Felicia’s Principles and Code of Practice

The success of our business is dependent on the trust and confidence we earn from our employees, customers and suppliers. We gain credibility by adhering to our commitments, displaying honesty and integrity and reaching company goals solely through honorable conduct.

We conduct our operations with openness and responsibility, and with respect for the rights and interests of our employees.  We similarly respect the legitimate interests of all those with whom we have relationships.  In our business dealings we expect our partners to adhere to business principles consistent with our own.

We integrate ethical, human rights, social and environmental considerations into all day-to-day operations, business planning activities and decision making processes.

Our Commitments:

1.         Business Ethics

● conducting our business with high ethical standards, and ensuring integrity, transparency and conformance with all applicable laws

● not engaging in bribery and/or corruption

● not tolerating money laundering and/or financing of terrorism

● adhering to the Kimberley process certification system and the world Diamond Council voluntary system of warranties

● fully and accurately disclosing the material characteristics of the products that we sells

● taking reasonable measures to ensure the physical integrity and security of product shipments

● respecting commercial confidentiality and data privacy

2.         Human Rights and Social Performance

● respecting fundamental human rights and the dignity of the individual, according to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights

● not using child labor

● not using any forced, bonded, indentured or prison labor, nor restricting the freedom of movement of employees and dependents

● providing safe and healthy working conditions throughout our operations

● allowing workers to associate freely

● not discriminating on the basis of race, ethnicity, caste, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union membership, political affiliation, marital status, physical appearance, age, or any other applicable prohibited basis in the workplace, such that all individuals who are “Fit for work” are accorded equal opportunities and are not discriminated against on the basis of factors unrelated to their ability to perform their job

● not using corporal punishment under any circumstances and prohibiting the use of degrading treatment, harassment, abuse, coercion or intimidation in any form

● adhering to all labor legislation or, in cases not covered by specific laws, the prevailing industry standards

● supporting the development of the communities where we operate, contributing to their social and economic welfare

● recognizing and respecting the rights of indigenous people and the value of their traditional, cultural and social heritage

3.         Environmental Performance

● conducting all business in an environmentally responsible manner

● managing our environmental footprint by eliminating or minimizing negative environmental impacts

● ensuring the efficiency of all business operations by properly managing the use of resources and energy

4.         Management Systems

● complying with all applicable laws and publicly stating our commitment to ethical behavior

● assessing all risks, including risks to our business from business partners, contractors, clients, and suppliers

● establishing systems that manage and improve ethical, human rights, social and environmental business practices

Felicia is a Certified Member of the London based ‘Responsible Jewellery Council’ (RJC) and of the Thai ‘Collective Action against Corruption’ (CAC). Felicia is also a Signatory of the ‘UN Global Compact’ and a Member of the ‘Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association’.

Yearly Message from the Founder and Managing Director

It is our aim to develop long lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with each client, while also being a force for good in our community, in the lives of all the people we work with, and in society in general.

We know that to succeed in sustainable development and have a positive impact on both people and the environment requires a complete approach encompassing nature, the social and economic dimensions, and the wellbeing of individuals.  We recognize our responsibility towards our environment, i.e. the network of people, laws, values, other organizations, and our planet. 

We also have a policy of zero tolerance to corruption, and we practice this.  We communicate this to our suppliers and business contacts, and ask that they follow the same standards.  By persevering we have had good results and find that we are faced with situations that involve corruption less frequently.

Here I want to share with you proof of Felicia Design’s commitment.

Felicia Design joined the Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC) in 2017. The RJC is an international, not-for-profit organization established to reinforce consumer confidence in the jewelry industry by advancing responsible business, ethical and environmental practices throughout the jewelry supply chain, from mine to retail. 

Felicia decided to become a member of RJC to demonstrate its commitment to its staff, community, clients and suppliers and to conform to the highest international standards. Companies whose business involves silver, gold, platinum, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds can become members of RJC provided they pass a certification audit.  The areas, examined by an outside auditor, include: legal and financial compliance; responsible supply chains; human rights; labor rights; health and safety; environmental safety; social responsibility; community development; and product disclosure.

LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE

Felicia Design complies with all Thai laws and regulations. 

Felicia Design is also a certified member of the Thai ‘Collective Action against Corruption’ (CAC). 

The Thai Collective Action against Corruption (CAC) was established in Thailand in 2010, to create a critical mass of clean and transparent companies in the private sector, to resist and fight bribery and corruption by uplifting standards of compliance.

In addition to complying with Thai laws and regulations, we also follow other regulations, if appropriate.

In our manufacturing we follow European rules and regulations (REACH) and do not use Cadmium, Lead, Nickel or any harmful materials that are prohibited in Europe.

For data protection, Felicia Design complies with both the Thai Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which guarantee protection for individuals and their personal data.

POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION

Felicia Design has a number of policies which explain the guidelines followed to employees, stakeholders and/or the general public.  These are reviewed periodically.

The policies approved by management include:

                      Felicia Principles and Code of Conduct

                    Human Rights Policy

                      Health and Safety Policy

                      Child Labor Policy

                      Equal Opportunity Employment

                      Non-Harassment Policy

                      Workplace Open-Door Policy

                      Internal Grievance Policy

                      Whistleblowing Protection

                      Company Property Policy

                      Fiduciary Duty of Client Property Policy

                      Conflict of Interest Policy

                      Gift Policy or Accepting and Giving Entertainment and Gifts

                      Social Media Policy

                      Anti Money Laundering Compliance

                      Anti-Corruption Policy

                      Supply Chain Policy

                      External Grievance Mechanism

SUPPLY CHAIN POLICY

We manage our supply chain to uphold our values and to reduce operational and reputational risks, both for ourselves and our clients.

Our Supply Chain Policy is shared directly with our suppliers and posted on our Website.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Felicia Design has two grievance procedures: one for employees and one for non-employees. 

 The grievance procedure for external parties, especially concerning the supply chain, is posted on our website.

RISK MANAGEMENT

According to Thai law, we have the obligation to obtain specific due diligence information from every company we do business with, to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism.  We regularly ask our business partners to provide us with the required information, and have an internal procedure to do this. 

Our due diligence is tailored to the counterpart we are dealing with, and also helps us evaluate other types of risks, such as the ones inherent in the supply chain (e.g. conflict diamonds or human rights abuses).

We do not source from Conflict-Affected High Risk Areas (CAHRA).  All our diamonds suppliers adhere to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and the World Diamond Council System of Warranties.

So far our management and monitoring process has not identified any red flags, but we remain vigilant. 

HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR RIGHTS

 We conduct our operations with openness and responsibility, and with respect for the rights and interests of our employees.

 Please see Felicia’s Principles and Code of Practice and our other relevant policies on this page.

 All our employees receive an Employee Manual on their first day of employment, and all commitments, rules and regulations, rights and obligations of both parties are described in it.  Working conditions are clean, safe and hygienic.  We have a Health and Safety Officer who ensures everyone follows good practices.

We select our business partners carefully, paying attention that our suppliers share our same values.

We have an outside company providing security, and it has been chosen because it is an international firm with an excellent reputation, which shares our commitment to best practice in human rights and labor rights.

ENVIRONMENT

Felicia Design knows that today’s shoppers want to know where their products come from, are concerned about the ethical foundations of industries and demand real information and greater transparency.  We are responsive to these demands.  We want to provide peace of mind to our clients, and our clients’ clients.

We want our clients to rest assured that their business reputation will not be harmed, but enhanced by them putting their trust in a company that complies with well-defined international standards and has great respect for the environment.

We just moved to a new location with brand new facilities for managing the environmental impact.  Very soon we will install solar panels to reduce the use of electricity from the grid, which we could not do in our previous location.  We do our best to reduce, reuse and recycle, and focus on continuous improvement. 

SUMMARY

Our clients can confidently tell their clients that their jewelry purchases are enhancing and not exploiting the lives of other human beings, have a positive impact on sustainable economic development in other communities, and that the environment is not harmed by the manufacturing of this jewelry.

Vibeke Lyssand Leirvag

Mother, wife and business woman.

Managing Director and Norwegian national, Vibeke Lyssand Leirvag has been a resident in the Kingdom of Thailand since she settled in Bangkok in 1989. She is knowledgeable of design and jewelry production, and established Felicia in 1995. 

Vibeke is very active in the foreign business community. She is currently Vice President of the TNCC (Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce), having formerly been the first female President of the TNCC.

In 2022, Vibeke was elected Chairwoman of the JFCCT (Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand), the very first time a woman was elected to this position. In previous years she was Vice Chairwoman of the JFCCT, also the first woman elected to this position.

The JFCCT is an umbrella organisation comprising 34 foreign chambers and business associations in Thailand. The various chambers and associations represent more than 9,000 companies and over 2 million employees.

Vibeke Lyssand Leirvag is the leader behind team Felicia Design. 

Conscientious

We strive to balance social responsibility and economics, and meet the sustainability objectives of our company by ensuring that our supply chain partners share our same values and have similar policies.

All our suppliers are visited and vetted by top management.  We want our raw materials to originate in conflict-free areas, and we want our business partners to respect all laws and conform to best practices in human rights, labor standards, health and safety, environmental impact, social responsibility, and business ethics.

We encourage our suppliers to similarly engage with their suppliers and explain why fair wages, fair labor practices and transparency are standards that matter throughout the world.

CERTIFICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

We wants out partners to know that their business reputation will be safeguarded and enhanced by putting their trust in Felicia Design, a company that complies with well-defined international standards.  To this aim, Felicia Design became a Certified Member of the London based ‘Responsible Jewellery Council’ (RJC) and of the Thai ‘Collective Action against Corruption’ (CAC).  We are also a Signatory of the ‘UN Global Compact’ and are committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Responsible Jewellery Council

Collective Action against Corruption

The UN Global Compact (UNGC) is the world’s largest group of companies, working to align the way they do business with universal principles on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection, and the fight against corruption. 

Started in 2000, it is supported by more than 15,000 companies from over 165 countries around the world.  These companies also take strategic actions to advance broader societal goals, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals.