What is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)?
The Kimberley Process is a rough diamond certification scheme, established in 2003, in an effort to end the trade of conflict diamonds. All rough diamonds are only to be traded between member countries and be accompanied by a government issued Kimberley Process certificate. Aren’t all diamonds guaranteed conflict-free because of the KPCS? No. In theory the Kimberley Process would be a great idea for addressing the ethical impact surrounding conflict diamonds. The greatest drawback to the Kimberley Process is the lack of enforcement or regulation. Any claim that the Kimberley Process guarantees the consumer that they’re purchasing a clean diamond cannot be verified with substantial direct or indirect evidence. It has now been proven that the Kimberley Process has failed us.
