The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is an international certification scheme that regulates trade in rough diamonds. Established in 2003, the KPCS requires participating countries to certify that rough diamond exports are conflict-free. The KPCS has 85 members (representing 56 countries and the EU) covering approximately 99.8% of global rough diamond production.
KPCS Certificate Requirements
All rough diamond shipments between KPCS member countries must be accompanied by a government-issued Kimberley Process certificate. The certificate must: be tamper-resistant; contain a unique serial number; identify the country of origin; state that the diamonds are conflict-free; and be validated by the exporting country's government authority. Rough diamonds must be transported in tamper-resistant containers.
Member Country Obligations
KPCS member countries must: implement national legislation to control rough diamond trade; establish a system of internal controls to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the supply chain; collect and maintain import and export data; and submit annual reports to the KPCS. Members are subject to peer review visits to assess compliance.
Definition of Conflict Diamonds
The KPCS defines conflict diamonds as "rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments." This definition has been criticised for being too narrow — it excludes diamonds mined in areas of government-sponsored violence or human rights abuses.
KPCS Limitations
The KPCS has been criticised for its narrow definition of conflict diamonds, lack of independent monitoring, and inability to address human rights abuses in diamond mining that do not involve rebel movements. Civil society organisations have called for reform of the KPCS to address these limitations.