The financial management of Belgium at the Diamond Center in Antwerp has been entrusted with checking the origin of diamonds for admission to EU markets as part of the G7 ban on the supply of stones from Russia, the European Commission reported.
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“The sanctions resolution also stipulates that the diamond verification authority is the office of the Federal State Economic Service in the Diamond Center in Antwerp, Belgium,” an EC spokesman said.
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He explained that economic operators themselves must monitor compliance with restrictions under the control of EU member states, while the European Commission ensures uniformity of measures throughout the community.
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“Sanctions are applied by economic operators, while EU member states are responsible for their compliance through their competent national authorities… The European Commission ensures uniform implementation of measures throughout the EU and supports national competent authorities by providing guidance and legal transparency,” the EC representative said.
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He also noted that “on 1 March, the EC updated and added new information on diamonds to the existing FAQ document, in particular regarding the requirements for the import of rough and processed natural stones during the period from 1 March 2024 to 31 August 2024 (the so-called (transitive) “the period of sunrise”)”. “These requirements were established in very close cooperation with our G7 partners,” he said.
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The G7 certification system has been in effect since March 1, 2024 in test mode. Until August 31, 2024, diamonds are allowed to be imported into the EU using documentary evidence of origin.
