WHAT IS THE KP

What is the Kimberley Process?

The Kimberley Process (KP) is a commitment to remove conflict diamonds from the global supply chain. Today, participants actively prevent 99.8% of the worldwide trade.

Kimberley Process

United in eradicating

Conflict Diamonds

Uniting governments, civil society and the wider industry, the Kimberley Process (KP) defines conflict diamonds as: ‘rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments’ - around the world.

How the Kimberley Process

Works

The Kimberley Process (KP) is a multilateral trade regime established in 2003 with the goal of preventing the flow of conflict diamonds. The core of this regime is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) under which States implement safeguards on shipments of rough diamonds and certify them as “conflict free".Under the terms of the KPCS participants must:

What are the rules?

Under the terms of the KPCS participants must:

Satisfy ‘minimum requirements’ and establish national legislation, institutions and import/export controls

Commit to transparent practices and to the exchange of critical statistical data

Trade only with fellow members who also satisfy the fundamentals of the agreement

Certify shipments as conflict-free and provide the supporting certification

2015 Statistics

$13,881,626,082.74

the total value of diamonds traded through the KPCS
Find out more

The Kimberley Process

FAQ

What are conflict diamonds?

Conflict diamonds, also known as ‘blood' diamonds, are rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance armed conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments.

What is the Kimberley Process?

The Kimberley Process is an international certification scheme that regulates trade in rough diamonds. It aims to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds, while helping to protect legitimate trade in rough diamonds. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) outlines the rules that govern the trade in rough diamonds. The KPCS has developed a set of minimum requirements that each participant must meet. The KP is not, strictly speaking, an international organisation: it has no permanent offices or permanent staff. It relies on the contributions – under the principle of ‘burden-sharing' – of participants, supported by industry and civil society observers. Neither can the KP be considered as an international agreement from a legal perspective, as it is implemented through the national legislations of its participants.

Who is involved?

The Kimberley Process (KP) participants are states and regional economic integration organizations that are eligible to trade in rough diamonds. There are 56 participants representing 82 countries, with the European Community counting as a single participant. The participants include all major rough diamond producing, exporting and importing countries. The diamond industry, through the World Diamond Council, and civil society groups are also integral parts of the KP. These organisations have been involved since the start and continue to contribute to its effective implementation and monitoring.