The Diamonds Factory carries only conflict-free diamonds which are obtained from
legitimate diamond sources that have been certified through the worldwide recognized
Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS).
The Kimberley Process:
The Diamonds Factory absolutely supports The Kimberley Process (KP) which is a joint
governmental, Diamond industry, and civil society initiative to stem the flow of
conflict diamonds - rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against
legitimate governments.
How does the Kimberley Process work?
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) imposes extensive requirements
(*) on its members to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as 'conflict-free'
and prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate trade. Under the terms
of the KPCS, participating states must meet 'minimum requirements' and must put
in place national legislation and institutions; export, import and internal controls;
and also commit to transparency and the exchange of statistical data. Participants
can only legally trade with other participants who have also met the minimum requirements
of the scheme, and international shipments of rough diamonds must be accompanied
by a KP certificate guaranteeing that they are conflict-free.
The Kimberley Process is chaired, on a rotating basis, by participating countries.
So far, South Africa, Canada, Russia, Botswana, the European Union, India, Namibia,
Israel, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have chaired the KP, and the United
States of America currently holds the Chair in 2012. KP participating countries
and industry and civil society observers gather twice a year at intersessional and
plenary meetings, as well as in working groups and committees that meet on a regular
basis. Implementation is monitored through 'review visits' and annual reports as
well as by regular exchange and analysis of statistical data.
*For more information on this issue, please visit DiamondFacts.org
.
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