The WFDB quality mark was officially introduced into the Israeli diamond industry at an event held at the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE). Presenting the WFDB mark were IDE President Avi Paz, former President of WFDB and IDE Shmuel Schnitzer, and IDE Managing Director Yair Cohen. %% Avi Paz said “In today’s reality we must prove that we are following international guidelines and that our diamonds are clean.” Paz, who is also Vice President of WFDB added, “There is no other industry that has voluntarily imposed such stringent limitations on the way it does business. Those limitations show the seriousness with which we regard international standards.” %% “Everyone wants transparency – diamantaires, governments, the UN, the banks, the DTC and of course, the consumers. That is the reason that we are adopting this quality mark. For the first time we are creating a quality mark that encompasses all of the ethical, moral and legal parameters of the diamond industry,” said Paz.

Paz also noted that he is proud that Israel is leading the process. “We will continue to lead the world industry with the highest standards.” He thanked Shmuel Schnitzer who initiated the quality mark and led the industry in its acceptance. He also thanked Yair Cohen for his efforts in the process. %% Shmuel Schnitzer said that the quality mark began as an answer to the issue of conflict diamonds. “We fought against conflict diamonds through the WDC – but reality proved to us that this was not enough. The consumers wanted to be sure that the diamonds they buy are free of a variety of problems, including money laundering, child labor, treatments, synthetics and more. That’s why the WFDB Mark was created.” %% Shnitzer emphasized that the mark will be available to members of all the bourses in the world. %% Yair Cohen said, “Through this quality mark we are trying to provide an advantage to bourse members who accept the regulations of the federation. The mark is a clear message for suppliers – a member who uses it works according to the ethical code of the federation.”