About the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is a joint government, industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds.
Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. The trade in these illicit stones has fuelled decades of devastating conflicts in countries including Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sierra Leone.
The KPCS imposes extensive requirements on its members to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free’. The KPCS bans trade in rough diamonds with non-participants so that a reduction in the illicit trade can be achieved.
Australia is one of 49 participants (counting the European Community and the United Arab Emirates each as one entity) in the KPCS.
Exports of rough diamonds from Australia are subject to the provisions of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958. Accordingly, all shipments of rough diamonds exported from Australia must be accompanied by a Kimberley Process Certificate.
How is RET involved?
The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (RET) works collaboratively with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service to ensure that the KPCS is implemented efficiently and correctly in Australia.
Within this arrangement the department is designated as the Kimberley Process Export Authority, responsible for all matters relating to the export of rough diamonds from Australia. The department is responsible for issuing Kimberley Process Certificates, which are required to certify the conflict-free origin of rough diamond product.
Related pages
More information
For more information about the KPCS see the international Kimberley Process website.
For more information about the export of rough diamonds see Kimberley Process export applications.
Information about other Australian Government administered mineral export controls can be found on the Mineral Export Controls webpage.