Best Practice Principles

The Best Practice Principles apply to the entire De Beers Family of Companies, all Diamond Trading Company Sightholders (clients) and certain third parties.

All are required to use their best endeavours to ensure that the companies with which they work also comply with these standards.

The Best Practice Principles set out various required standards of conduct with regards to three main areas:

• Business Responsibilities
• Social Responsibilities
• Environmental Responsibilities

Business Responsibilities ensure that all operations act responsibly and ethically and  in compliance with the law - for example in sales transactions, supply chain management, sourcing of diamonds, interaction with the local community and other stakeholders and overall business relationships.

This applies to the practices of every employee at every level.

Social Responsibilities ensure that business is conducted so that the De Beers Family of Companies and its business partners look beyond economic profit and work towards generating real social value in the communities in which we operate.

Environmental Responsibilities  ensure all operations adopt the highest standards required by law with regard to their impact on the environment.

The Best Practice Principles are supported by an ‘Assurance Programme’ which ensures compliance by all parties. Compliance is third party audited by SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance).

There is also further fourth party assurance by URS (United Registrar of Systems Ltd) to review the quality of work and competencies of SGS as a third party verifier.