Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is the process designed to certify the origin of rough diamonds from sources which are free of conflict fund by diamond production.KPCS was introduced by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 following recommendation in the Fowler Report. The process was recognized in 2003 to prevent diamond sales from financing rebellious movements.The Kimberley Process was led by the diamond-producing African countries themselves. Also in tourist states like Dubai, before gemstone could be allowed through their airport to other countries, the Kimberley Certification must be presented by the gem's owner. On January 17-18 of 2001, diamond industry figures convened and formed the new organization, the World Diamond Council. This new body set out to draft a new process, whereby all diamond rough could be certified as coming from a non-conflict source. The KPCS was given approval by the UN on March 13, 2002, and in November, after two years of negotiation between governments, diamond producers, and Non-Government organizations, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS.) was created. The Kimberley Process has done more than just curtail the flow of conflict diamonds, it has also helped stabilize fragile countries and supported their development. As the Kimberley Process has made life harder for criminals, it has brought large volumes of diamonds onto the legal market that would not otherwise have made it there. This has increased the revenues of poor governments, and helped them to address their countries' development challenges. For instance, some $125 million worth of diamonds were legally exported from Sierra Leone in 2006, compared to almost none at the end of the 1990s The certification scheme aims at prevent "blood diamonds" from entering the mainstream rough diamond market. It was set up to assure consumers so as to by purchasing diamonds they were not financing war and human rights abuses.
Working Procedure
Supervision of the KPCS is done by the Chair, elected on an annual base at a plenary meeting. A Working Group on Monitoring, monitors each participant to make sure that it is implementing the scheme correctly. The Working Group reports to the Chair. Other working groups contain the Technical Working Group (or Working Group of Diamond Experts) which reports on difficulties in implementation and future solutions, and the Statistics Working Group, which reports diamond trading data. The Participation Committee reports to the Chair on its recommendations on future members hoping to join the KPCS. The Selection Committee reports on its recommendations on who be supposed to be the next Vice-Chair. After a year of being Vice-Chair, the successful candidate becomes the Chair.
Working Groups
KPCS has established a number of running groups for carrying out its programs. These are: Working Group of Diamond Experts (WGDE), Working Group on Monitoring (WGM), Working Group on Statistics (WGS), Working Group of Artisanal Alluvial Producers (WGAAP). There is also a Coordinator intended for Technical Assistance.
Current Membership
As of December 2009, there were 49 participants in the KPCS representing 75 countries, with the European Community including as a single participant. The participants contain all major rough diamond producing, exporting and importing countries.The new entrants are Turkey and Liberia, in addition to Republic of the Congo, which has been re-admitted in 2007. Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Mali, Mexico and Tunisia attended the Brussels Plenary 2007 and affirmed their purpose to join the Kimberley Process.Also, Bahrain, Cape Verde, Gabon, Swaziland and Zambia include expressed their interest in future participation.
Waiver
The World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 2006 standard a waiver for the KPCS while recognizing the importance and effectiveness of the KPCS.