The Kimberley Process (KP) is an international initiative established in 2003 with the aim of ending the trade in conflict or blood diamonds. These diamonds are often used to finance armed conflicts, especially in Africa. The KP ensures that only conflict-free diamonds reach the market through a strict certification system.
What is the Kimberley Process?
The Kimberley Process is a partnership between governments, the diamond industry and civil society organisations. The key instrument of the KP is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), which ensures that every shipment of rough diamonds is checked and certified as conflict-free before it is allowed to cross the border.
How does the Kimberley Process work?
- Certification: Each shipment of rough diamonds must be accompanied by a certificate confirming that the diamonds are conflict-free.
- Control: Participating countries must implement strict controls on the import and export of rough diamonds.
- Collaboration: Participants work together to ensure compliance and exchange information about suspicious activities.
Participants and Supervision
The KP currently has 85 participating countries, which together account for 99.8% of the world’s rough diamond production. The World Diamond Council and other organizations monitor compliance and support the implementation of the KPCS.
Criticism and Challenges
While the KP has made significant progress, it has also been criticized. Some organizations, such as Global Witness, have withdrawn from the process because they believe it is not effective enough in preventing the trade in conflict and blood diamonds. There are also concerns that the KP is too narrow in its scope and does not adequately address other human rights issues in the diamond supply chain.
Future of the Kimberley Process
The KP continues to evolve to better respond to the challenges of modern times. Innovations and enhanced collaboration between participating countries and organizations are crucial to safeguarding trade in conflict-free diamonds and improving the lives of people in diamond-producing areas.
For more information about the Kimberley Process and how it works, please visit the official Kimberley Process website.
At Diamantwerp we value ethical trade and transparency. That is why we are proud to announce that we fully comply with the strict requirements of the Kimberley Process. This means that all our diamonds are guaranteed to be conflict-free, which gives our customers the certainty that they are contributing to a fair and responsible diamond industry. By choosing Diamantwerp, you are choosing quality and integrity.