KIMBERLEY

Kimberley Process and International Trade in Rough Diamonds

 

Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), is a process that aims to certify the origin of diamonds, in order to avoid the purchase of stones originating from conflict areas.

It was created in 2003 with the aim of preventing the financing of arms to African countries in civil war.

In 2000, several countries accepted the "Kimberley Process", committing themselves to only purchase certified rough diamonds (with provenance confirmed by an official certificate), refusing imports from those areas. This is an important attempt to break the link between encouraging civil wars and the commercialization of valuable natural resources.