The Kimberly Process

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is a process designed to certify the origin of diamonds from sources which are free of conflict. The process was established in 2003 to prevent rebel groups and their rivals from financing their war aims from diamond sales. The certification scheme aims at preventing these "blood diamonds" from entering the mainstream rough diamond market. It was set up to try to assure consumers that by purchasing diamonds they were not financing war and human rights abuses.

The `Blood Diamond' issue: Industry leaders work to solve ethical problems in diamond trade.
From Donald Haack, founder, and Julie Haack Kral, president, Donald Haack Diamonds and Fine Gems:
The Charlotte Observer

“With the recent DVD release of the movie ‘Blood Diamond,’ the topic of conflict diamonds has been introduced to a wide audience. The United Nations has defined conflict diamonds as diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments or in contravention of the decision of the Security Council.”

The idea of this movie was not to simply sell tickets for a production company to reap all the benefits, like many moves today it was raising awareness on one of the most heartbreaking tragedies that our world is facing today, the diamond conflict, and its role in the use of child soldier rebel movements. The Kimberly Process is the result of the UN regulating the type of diamonds accepted for trade. Conflict diamonds are not acceptable at this date any longer for the world diamond trade, and therefore are trying to disarm rebel group from being able to sell them to obtain more weapons.

The movie depicts many different figures, which play a role in the horrific, and very profitable process. Overall the movie gives much insight, and open up the eyes of the international media. Look for movies such as this to spawn social movements and cause radical action for aiding the heart of a new generation.



The KPCS originated from a meeting of Southern African diamond producing states in Kimberley, South Africa in May 2000. In order for a country to be a participant, it must ensure

1. That any diamond originating from the country does not finance a rebel group or other entity seeking to overthrow a UN-recognized government.

2. That every diamond export be accompanied by a Kimberley Process certificate proving

3. That no diamond is imported from, or exported to, a non-member of the scheme.

This three-step plan is a simple description of the steps taken to ensure a "chain" of countries that deal exclusively with non-conflict diamonds.


The Nations Involved:
Angola, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Central African Republic, People's Republic of China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, The 27 member states of the European Union, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia (recently added: April 26, 2007), Malaysia, Mauritius, Namibia, Norway, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Singapore, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

For More Information:

Phone: +32 229 66133/91176/93216

Fax: +32 2299 0873

E-mail: relex-kp-secretariat@ec.europa.eu

http://www.kimberleyprocess.com/site/index.html