(Pub. L. 108-19) and Section 2 of Executive Order 13312 of July 29, 2003
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
The Department of State is updating the list of Participants eligible for trade in rough diamonds under the Act, and their respective Importing and Exporting Authorities, revising the previously published list of July 5, 2019, to reflect the addition of the United Kingdom as an independent Participant, among other changes.
DATES:
This notice is effective on January 8, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Pamela Fierst-Walsh, Senior Advisor, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, Department of State, (202) 647-6116.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Section 4 of the Clean Diamond Trade Act of 2003, Public Law 108-19 (the “Act”) requires the President to prohibit the importation into, or the exportation from, the United States of any rough diamond, from whatever source, that has not been controlled through the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). Under Section 3(2) of the Act, “controlled through the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme” means an importation from the territory of a Participant or exportation to the territory of a Participant of rough diamonds that is either (i) carried out in accordance with the KPCS, as set forth in regulations promulgated by the President, or (ii) controlled under a system determined by the President to meet substantially the standards, practices, and procedures of the KPCS. The referenced regulations are contained at 31 CFR part 592 (“Rough Diamond Control Regulations”) (68 FR 45777, August 4, 2003).
Section 6(b) of the Act requires the President to publish in the Federal Register a list of all Participants, and all Importing and Exporting Authorities of Participants, and to update the list as necessary. Section 2 of Executive Order 13312 of July 29, 2003 delegates this function to the Secretary of State. Section 3(7) of the Act defines “Participant” as a state, customs territory, or regional economic integration organization identified by the Secretary of State. Section 3(3) of the Act defines “Exporting Authority” as one or more entities designated by a Participant from whose territory a shipment of rough diamonds is being exported as having the authority to validate a Kimberley Process Certificate. Section 3(4) of the Act defines “Importing Authority” as one or more entities designated by a Participant into whose territory a shipment of rough diamonds is imported as having the authority to enforce the laws and regulations of the Participant regarding imports, including the verification of the Kimberley Process Certificate accompanying the shipment.
List of Participants
Pursuant to Sections 3 and 6 of the Act, Section 2 of Executive Order 13312,Department of State Delegations of Authority No. 245-1 (February 13, 2009), and No. 376 (October 31, 2011), I hereby identify the following entities as Participants under section 6(b) of the Act. Included in this List are the Importing and Exporting Authorities for Participants, as required by Section 6(b) of the Act. This List is published solely for the purpose of implementing the mandates cited above and does not reflect or prejudice any other regulation or prohibition that may apply with respect to trading, doing business, or engaging in any other transaction with any of the listed countries or entities. This list revises the revising the previously published list of July 5, 2019 to reflect the addition of the United Kingdom as an independent Participant, among other changes. Read More→
