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The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is a procedure implemented by the international community and the diamond industry to stop the trade in conflict diamonds, which are uncut gems mined illegally and sold by rebel groups to finance wars against legitimate governments. The initiative, which began in 2003, imposes strict requirements on diamond producers to maintain transparency in the mining and production processes and ensure KPCS participants only trade with other members. While the KPCS focuses on the mining and trade of uncut diamonds, critics contend it does not do enough to stop human rights abuses and has failed to adequately curtail smugglers.