Kimberley process how does it work

Heading and directing the management of the KP administration, the Chair serves for a full calendar year, starting on January 1, and oversees the worldwide implementation of the KPCS, as well as the operations of the KP working groups and committees.

At the beginning of the following calendar year, the position of Chair is assumed by the outgoing KP Vice Chair, who was earlier selected by the KP Participants.

Much of the ongoing work of the KP takes place within its working groups and committees. These include:.

It is responsible for the peer-review mechanism, organizing review visits in participating countries, as well as conducting assessments of annual reports submitted by KP participants. Working Group on Statistics WGS The WGS ensures timely reporting and analysis of statistical data on the production and trade of rough diamonds from all KP-member countries, with the aim of being able to identify anomalies and ensure the effective implementation of the KPCS.

Working Group on Artisanal and Alluvial Production WGAAP WGAAP is charged with developing effective internal controls on the production and trade of alluvial diamonds, enabling artisanal and small-scale diamond miners obtain legal access into the chain of distribution. Its work reflects the growing role of the KP in capacity-building in member countries. Committee on Participation and Chairmanship CPC CPC assists the Chair of the Kimberley Process in handling the admission of new participants, and it consults in cases of non-compliance by other participants.

Each cut and polished diamond is laser-inscribed with a unique tracking number that consumers can independently verify, allowing them to track its journey along the supply chain. Could all diamond miners and producers replicate this system?

From a technology and process point of view, it's relatively straightforward. The difficulty lies in trying to establish a credible third-party organisation that would oversee a system where conflict diamonds and the issues of child labour, fair pay and unsafe working conditions are all taken into account.

Groups such as the Fairtrade Foundation or the Diamond Development Initiative would certainly be credible enough to take on the role of administrator, but they would need the support of a wide range of bodies — including governments and private companies — to create a system broad enough to address all the issues surrounding conflict diamonds.

A Fairtrade diamond standard coupled with a rigorous track and trace system would certainly address the two big flaws in the Kimberley Process. Whether that becomes a reality remains to be seen, but in the meantime there's something you can do to help that will begin to clear the smoke screen around conflict diamonds.

The next time you are buying a piece of jewellery for an anniversary or birthday, or are planning to propose to your partner, simply ask the jeweller which mine the diamond came from. Join the community of sustainability professionals and experts. Become a GSB member to get more stories like this direct to your inbox. The Kimberley Process is a 'perfect cover story' for blood diamonds. We need a new system to force the jewellery industry to promote ethical mining and gem trading techniques.

The Kimberley Process, designed to prevent trade in conflict diamonds, is doubly flawed. Topics Guardian sustainable business Supply chain Mining Corporate social responsibility Ethical business Ethical and green living analysis.

The KPCS entered into force in , when participating countries started to implement its rules. The Kimberley Process KP is open to all countries that are willing and able to implement its requirements.

The KP has 56 participants , representing 82 countries, with the European Union and its Member States counting as a single participant. KP members account for approximately In addition, the World Diamond Council , representing the international diamond industry, and civil society organisations, such as Partnership-Africa Canada , participate in the KP and have played a major role since its outset. 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.