Kimberley Process – Fair Trade Diamond News Roundup December 2011

By Erika W.

NGO Global Witness withdraws from the Kimberley Process and the Responsible Jewellery Council delays “chain-of-custody” plans amid industry criticism.

Idex – Global Witness Leaves Kimberley Process

NGO Global Witness today announced that it has left the Kimberley Process (KP), the international certification scheme established to stop the trade in conflict diamonds.

Global Witness Statement

Global Witness today announced that it has left the Kimberley Process, the international certification scheme established to stop the trade in blood diamonds.

World Diamond Council Statement

The World Diamond Council expresses its regret at the announcement by Global Witness that it is leaving the Kimberley Process, and calls upon the organization’s leadership to reconsider its position.

JCK’s Rob Bates – RJC Punts on Chain of Custody

This morning, the Responsible Jewellery Council announced it was delaying implementation of its “chain of custody” initiative for diamonds, in response to trade objections.

Chaim Even-Zohar
– RJC Embarks on New Rounds of Industry Dialogue Before Deciding on the Utility of a Diamond Chain of Custody

In a telephone conversation over the weekend, Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Vice-Chairman John Hall informed us that the launch of the organization’s Chain of Custody (CoC) framework will be delayed until appropriate input can be considered from a dialogue with members of the trade and industry in Israel, India and elsewhere.

*Pricescope members are currently discussing the KP, NGOs, and the RJC in an ongoing forum thread. Share your thoughts on the Kimberley Process and the Chinese discussion thread.