Two industry leaders have teamed up to offer JewelPAC™, a program that keeps jewelers compliant with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws under the USA PATRIOT Act.
Jewelers Mutual Group will host the fully online program featuring content curated by Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC).
“It’s something almost all jewelry businesses need to have,” said Tina Olm, Jewelers Mutual Group's director of enterprise business development. “Not only are there federal regulations around creating and maintaining a program, many banks and credit facilities will require proof of a program.”
AML requirements include appointing a compliance officer, conducting a risk assessment, writing a program and policy document, training employees, and periodically testing the program to ensure it is working as designed.
The JewelPAC program features training modules that automatically create the customized documents required and updates program materials each year, keeping documents current and automating some of the review process. This reduces the amount of time that jewelers need to spend creating and editing a compliant AML program. Ultimately, it provides peace of mind that a program was made correctly and is up-to-date on the latest regulations.
“We’re seeing federal regulators put an increased level of scrutiny on AML programs, including focusing on where the jewelry supply chain is vulnerable,” said Tiffany Stevens, JVC president, CEO and general counsel. “Jewelers could try to create their own program, but it would take significantly longer than using the JewelPAC program. More importantly, the JewelPAC program has been tested and provides a proven solution. Making something from scratch may not fulfill the requirements.”
Due to the shift in how the jewelry industry conducts business, having an approved AML program is more important than ever. While the laws have not changed, the ways businesses interact and transact with customers in the digital age has, which can make compliance more of a challenge.
Jewelers who buy and sell $50,000 or more per year in precious metals, precious stones, or jewelry for which 50% of the value is derived from precious stones or precious metals must create and implement a comprehensive program.
“We were founded in 1913 and JVC was founded four years later,” Olm said. “Bringing together 200-plus years of knowledge will help raise the tide of the jewelry industry like never before.”
“The JewelPAC program is more than just a compliance program,” Stevens said. “It represents the pinnacle of business ethics, and that’s something we’re all proud to be a part of.”
To learn more about the JewelPAC program and to purchase it, visit JewelersMutual.com/JewelPAC.
About Jewelers Mutual Group
The Jewelers Mutual Group was founded in 1913 by a group of Wisconsin jewelers to meet their unique insurance needs. Today, Jewelers Mutual offers products and services nationwide and throughout Canada that enable jewelry businesses to run safe, secure, and successful operations. Consumers also put their trust in Jewelers Mutual to protect their personal jewelry and the special moments it represents. The group's strong financial position is reflected in its 33 consecutive ratings of "A+ Superior" from A.M. Best Company. For more information, please visit www.jewelersmutual.com.
About JVC
The Jewelers Vigilance Committee provides legal education & compliance guidance to the jewelry industry. Members operate under the highest standards of business practice after pledging to comply with all laws applicable to the jewelry industry and make accurate representations about the products they sell. JVC provides up-to-the-minute information about changes to the national and local laws that apply to the jewelry industry. JVC urges jewelry industry businesses to comply with all relevant local, state, federal and international laws. For more information, please visit jvclegal.org.
