The European Federation of Jewellery (EFJ), recently put out a statement welcoming the   new European customs code for synthetic diamonds, which has been introduced in the European combined nomenclature (Chapter 71). It will take effect from January 1, 2020 and be applicable till January 1, 2022, at which time the HS6 customs code, recently adopted by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), will be applied at the European level.

The Federation noted that the organisation and its membership had strived for the adoption of this new European customs code, which, it stressed, “will facilitate the monitoring of synthetic diamond flows in Europe, thus allowing better compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme”.

“Although legitimate, synthetic diamonds fundamentally differ from natural diamonds,” the organisation said. “The EFJ therefore welcomes the acknowledgement of the difference between natural diamonds and synthetic diamonds by the European Commission through the new customs code. Given these fundamental differences, the EFJ deems it essential as well to legally oblige retailers to duly inform consumers about the nature of the product they are selling. The EFJ will therefore continue to advocate the establishment of a European legislation differentiating natural diamonds from synthetic diamonds at retail level in order to ensure consumer protection through full product disclosure.”