The African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), an intergovernmental organization of leading diamond-producing nations, is set to launch its sustainability certification in 2025.
The implementation of the certification by ADPA members will be voluntary and will begin in the first quarter of next year, said Ellah Muchemwa, the association's executive director.
The association plans to launch a pilot project in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, Muchemwa told analytical agency Rough & Polished in an interview.
ADPA members will be encouraged to conduct self-assessments so that the association's team of experts can verify the audit results and enable companies to market their products as sustainable diamonds, she explained.
This is the first African standard "developed by African diamond producers for African diamond producers," Muchemwa stressed, adding that this certification responds to the challenges and realities of the diamond industry in Africa.