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14 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 33/2004
T he ICEM today signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Paris, France, that will establish standards and criteria on which diamonds and precious stones are mined and traded. The signing between the 20-million-member global union federation, Antwerp-based Belgian Diamonds and Precious Stones Federation (BDPSF), and Global Witness came during an international gems conference organized by the European Precious Stones Conference.
The Memorandum of Understanding establishes an international non-profit agency entitled the Bureau of Minerals and Gemology that will now undertake responsibility to establish rules, standards and guidelines for companies mining diamonds and precious stones, as well as traders, manufacturers and others involved in the industry.
"This is a very significant agreement, a first of its kind in this sector," said ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs. "We're hopeful that not only the consumer, but industrial users of diamonds recognise that a standard will exist that assures internationally recognized workers' rights are in place and the products come conflict-free and corruption-free."
Historically, the diamond trade has relied on a certification system characterized by the four Cs: cut, clarity, carat and color. The three organisations now hope to add a fifth C to certification-that of confidence, meaning that consumers and others can be confident diamonds and other gems are corruption-free, conflict-free, free of child labour, as well as mined, processed and polished under conditions in which workers' rights are upheld.
Such standards have not previously existed in the diamonds and precious stones trade.
Global Witness is a London-based non-governmental organisation that tracks exploitation of natural resources and human rights abuses. BDPSF is a trade group that encompasses diamond merchants and companies that buy and sell diamonds and precious stones. The ICEM is the dominant trade union federation in mining, energy and processed industries with over 400 affiliated unions in 125 countries.
The Memorandum of Understanding establishes an international non-profit agency entitled the Bureau of Minerals and Gemology that will now undertake responsibility to establish rules, standards and guidelines for companies mining diamonds and precious stones, as well as traders, manufacturers and others involved in the industry.
"This is a very significant agreement, a first of its kind in this sector," said ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs. "We're hopeful that not only the consumer, but industrial users of diamonds recognise that a standard will exist that assures internationally recognized workers' rights are in place and the products come conflict-free and corruption-free."
Historically, the diamond trade has relied on a certification system characterized by the four Cs: cut, clarity, carat and color. The three organisations now hope to add a fifth C to certification-that of confidence, meaning that consumers and others can be confident diamonds and other gems are corruption-free, conflict-free, free of child labour, as well as mined, processed and polished under conditions in which workers' rights are upheld.
Such standards have not previously existed in the diamonds and precious stones trade.
Global Witness is a London-based non-governmental organisation that tracks exploitation of natural resources and human rights abuses. BDPSF is a trade group that encompasses diamond merchants and companies that buy and sell diamonds and precious stones. The ICEM is the dominant trade union federation in mining, energy and processed industries with over 400 affiliated unions in 125 countries.