Certified Ethical Production
Ethical Production Starts With Respect
At Astor & Orion, ethical production begins with mutual respect—a relationship built on trust, not just transactions. It’s not simply about certifications or compliance; it’s about creating systems where people and processes are treated with integrity at every step.
Through long-term collaboration, open dialogue, and shared values, we’re able to uphold true transparency and build an ethical supply chain—one that honors the people behind the product as much as the product itself.
The Value of Third-Party Certification
Every brand says it cares; a brand grading its own homework will always pass. Third-party certification is what moves ethics beyond intention: independent auditors measuring what they find against a published standard, so the claim doesn’t rest on our word.
These certifications must be earned through action. Before any inspection takes place, a production site must evaluate its existing systems, make necessary improvements, and demonstrate that ethical and environmental standards are embedded in day-to-day operations, not just outlined in a manual. This covers everything from wage fairness and worker safety to emissions control and waste reduction.
An audit is not a paperwork review. Auditors walk the production floor, pull payroll and hour records, and interview workers directly. Our casting partner is audited on a recurring cycle; the most recent audit was conducted in May 2026, and every figure on this page comes from it.
Certifications That Stand For Something
The certifications our casting partner holds reflect real, daily impacts on people and the planet, not just high operational standards. All are current; the three ISO standards are certified through October 2027. When you wear Astor & Orion, you’re supporting a system that values safety, dignity, and sustainability from the inside out.
SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit)
SMETA inspects a production site across four pillars: labor standards, health and safety, environment, and business ethics. Auditors review records, walk the site, and interview workers directly.
Our casting partner is audited under the full 4-Pillar scope on a recurring cycle, most recently in May 2026. The audit highlights below come straight from that report.
ISO 9001 – Quality Management
This certification ensures that documented systems are in place to monitor each stage of production, maintaining consistent quality, minimizing defects, and ensuring full traceability.
For Astor & Orion, it means every item is made with precision and accountability. When you wear our jewelry, you’re choosing craftsmanship supported by structure, care, and transparency.
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
Our casting partner monitors waste, energy consumption, and emissions under this certification. Production water is filtered, recycled, and tested by independent laboratories; some of it goes on to irrigate a local soccer field.
The site also generates its own power: 474,717 kWh of onsite solar in 2025.
ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety
Protecting worker wellbeing isn’t optional—it’s essential. Our casting partner embeds safety protocols into daily operations, reducing risk and supporting a workplace where artisans’ health and safety are prioritized.
Each design reflects this same commitment, ensuring the artisans who craft your jewelry are respected, valued, and protected.
Carbon Offset Certification
Awarded under a national greenhouse gas management program, this certification confirms that emissions from the manufacturing process are measured and offset each year.
It’s one of the ways we contribute to global climate goals and align our work with the UN SDGs on climate action and responsible production.
Green Industry Certification
This designation recognizes production sites that lead in environmental stewardship and community well-being, reflecting an ecosystem where industry and responsibility coexist.
By working with partners like this, we advance SDGs through responsible production, inclusive growth, and resilient communities.
What The May 2026 Audit Found
The figure we watch most closely is the living wage. Legal minimum and living wage are not the same thing: auditors calculate a living wage from regional data on food, housing, healthcare, education, and transportation, then compare it with actual pay. In the May 2026 audit, actual wages cleared that benchmark by roughly 40%. Separately, 89% of workers earn above the legal minimum, verified against payroll records across three pay periods.
The workforce tells the rest of the story. 99.5% of workers hold permanent employment; there is no disposable contract labor. Women make up 63.5% of the workforce and 75% of supervisors.
The audit also raised findings, mostly record-keeping and safety fixes, each with a corrective deadline and a follow-up audit behind it; a report that found nothing would be harder to trust.
The Everyday Impact Of Ethical Production
Certifications only matter when they reflect real care in everyday practice. That’s why we don’t just look for paperwork; we look for partners who share our values.
The people who make our jewelry work in safe conditions, earn fair pay, and are treated with respect. Beyond the basics, our production partner also provides paid holidays, maternity leave, and supports their community through youth programs and local sports. It’s a place where people feel valued, and that spirit carries through in the work they create.
When you wear a piece from Astor & Orion, you’re not just wearing something beautiful. You’re wearing the result of a partnership built on fairness, respect, and accountability from start to finish.