Order Amending the Schedule to the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act: SOR/2025-2
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 159, Number 4
Registration
SOR/2025-2 January 23, 2025
EXPORT AND IMPORT OF ROUGH DIAMONDS ACT
The Minister of Natural Resources makes the annexed Order Amending the Schedule to the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act under section 3 of the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act footnote a.
Ottawa, January 22, 2025
Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Natural Resources
Order Amending the Schedule to the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act
Amendment
1 The schedule to the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act footnote a is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:
Uzbekistan
Coming into Force
2 This Order comes into force on the day on which it is registered.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT
(This statement is not part of the Order.)
Issues
The need for an amendment to the schedule of the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act (EIRDA), via a ministerial order pursuant to section 3 of the EIRDA, has been identified to ensure that it aligns with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) list of participants, which admitted a new member on November 15, 2024.
Objective
The Order Amending the Schedule to the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act (the amendment) has the following objective:
- To update the schedule of the EIRDA to fulfil Canada’s international commitments by aligning with the KPCS list of participants, now that Uzbekistan has been approved as a member of the initiative on November 15, 2024.
Description
The KPCS is an international agreement established on January 1, 2003, to curb the trade in conflict diamonds. Under the KPCS, conflict diamonds are those sold by rebel forces to purchase arms for use in conflict against legitimate governments. Trade in rough diamonds can only occur between countries accepted as participants in the KPCS, and all exports and imports of rough diamonds must be accompanied by a Kimberley Process Certificate, issued by a participating government or an agency authorized by that government, confirming that shipments are free from conflict diamonds.
Participating governments must have legislation in place to enforce the terms and conditions established by the KPCS for certification. Canada’s implementation of the KPCS is based on the EIRDA, which includes a schedule listing all KPCS participants with which Canada can trade rough diamonds.
On November 15, 2024, Uzbekistan was approved as a KPCS member. Canada must therefore add Uzbekistan to the schedule of the EIRDA to remain in compliance with the minimum requirements of the KPCS, thereby enabling the export and import of rough diamonds to and from Uzbekistan.
Amending the schedule of the EIRDA is an administrative requirement that does not represent changes in policy or regulations. Upon approval by the Minister of Natural Resources, the amendment may be submitted and published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, without prior submission for comment in the Canada Gazette, Part I.
Failure to comply with the EIRDA may lead to prosecution. The Canada Border Services Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are responsible for the enforcement of the EIRDA.
One-for-one rule and small business lens
The one-for-one rule does not apply to this amendment, as there is no change in administrative costs or burden to businesses.
Contact
Kimberley Process Office
Extractive Sector Transparency and Taxation Division
Lands and Minerals Sector
Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street, 9th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0E4
Telephone: 1‑855‑525‑9293
Email: kimberleyprocess-processuskimberley@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca