Best Practice Principles

In 2003 De Beers Group played a key role in the establishment of the Kimberley Process – an agreement put in place to eliminate the trade of conflict diamonds across international borders. However, we also wanted to apply best practice in other areas of the industry to ensure an ethical diamond supply.

In 2005, we launched the strictest set of standards that the industry had ever seen: the Best Practice Principles (BPPs) Assurance Programme.

The BPPs ensure that all De Beers Group diamonds can be trusted to be conflict-free, abide by international human rights frameworks and labour regulations, alongside further rigorous ethical, social and environmental requirements.

These standards apply to De Beers Group operations throughout our value chain from discovery to retail and as a mandatory requirement for all Sightholders and their diamond contractors. Participation extends beyond this to jewellery manufacturers engaged by our consumer brands who are required to join the programme or hold Responsible Jewellery Council Code of Practices certification. As a result, more than 240,000* workers across the diamond industry are subject to these standards. ​

Each year, every entity, including our own business units, as well as our Sightholders and their contractors, must provide a self-assessment against every relevant standard. A randomised selection of these assessments are then independently audited and assured by a third party to confirm compliance annually. Any issues identified must be addressed through the programme and verified before closure.​