KIMBERLEY PROCESS

About: 

• What is it?
  • The Kimberley Process is an international certification scheme that regulates trade in rough diamonds with the aim of preventing 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.
    
    
  
  
  
• What it is not?
  • 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.
    
    
  
  
  
• History: The KPCS came into effect from 1st January, 2003.
  
  
• Participants: At present, KPCS has 55 members representing 82 countries including EU with 28 members. India is the founding member of KPCS.
  
  
• Chairmanship: The Kimberley Process is chaired, on a rotating basis, by participating countries. India is the Chairman of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) from 1st January, 2019.