The EU just hit pause on one of its most ambitious diamond regulations.
Originally set to launch March 1, 2025, the mandatory traceability system for polished diamonds—designed to enforce sanctions against Russian diamonds—has now been delayed to January 1, 2026.
📣 Why the delay?
Tech isn’t ready. Industry feedback flagged big gaps in infrastructure, rule clarity, and governance oversight.
💬 “It makes sense,” said Sara Yood of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC). “The industry was not ready for March.”
But don’t relax just yet.
🛑 New rule still taking effect on March 1, 2025:
All rough diamond imports into the EU must now come with a Kimberley Process (KP) certificate listing the exact mining origin(s)—and, if available, a percentage breakdown of where each stone came from.
🌍 The move is part of the EU’s 16th sanctions package against Russia, and it’s pushing for full G7 coordination (US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan + EU) on diamond measures.
The goal?
To stop Russian-origin diamonds from slipping into the supply chain via third countries and being polished elsewhere undetected.
🇺🇸 Meanwhile, the US hasn’t adopted the March 1 traceability deadline, but it still bans Russian diamonds 0.5 carats and up, including finished jewelry made in or routed through Russia.
👥 AWDC (Antwerp World Diamond Centre) welcomed the delay, with CEO Karen Rentmeesters noting:
“There’s still major uncertainty about how the traceability system will actually work… Diamond companies need time to prepare.”
TL;DR:
- 📅 EU traceability requirement delayed to Jan 1, 2026
- ✅ But mining origin declarations via KP certs still start Mar 1, 2025
- 🤝 G7 coordination key to avoiding loopholes
- 🧭 Industry now has time to build infrastructure—but pressure’s still on
The diamond world just got a breather—but the clarity (and compliance push) is still coming. 🕵️♀️💼