June 20, 2010 -
PRLog -- The Certified Authenticated Mineral Specimen regulator also known as CAMS-regulator might soon be a reality in South Africa. The new certification mark will be the regulating body for the certification and authentication process of all gems from crystalline origin in South Africa. A long overdue and important regarded event. The certification mark with other words, the Product certification or product qualification, is the process of certifying that a certain product has passed performance and quality assurance tests or qualification requirements stipulated in regulations such as nationally accredited test standards, or that it complies with a set of regulations governing quality and minimum performance requirements. In this case the Quality assurance (QA) refers to a program for the systematic monitoring and evaluation of the various aspects of the diamond and gem related services or facilities, such as the laboratories that provide these services, to ensure that standards of quality are being met in that particular country. Often such a certification mark ends up as legislation and they come along once in a lifetime. It contributes to a recognised industry by protecting the industry as a whole. The Process of the certification mark remains a secret till the public introduction later next month. It is irrelevant whether the Industry accepts the certification mark given that the new consumer protection act of South Africa will give preference to the protection of the consumer as a whole. Although this certification mark is aimed at regulating polished gems the QA will include regulation of the quality of raw and polished minerals, products and services related to production or certification and management, production and inspection processes thereof. The sale of certificates that uses terms such as “certified and authenticated”
that has not undergone the QA process of CAMS should soon come to an end. This is particularly aimed at reducing risk during transactions and auctions online within South Africa. If the consumer accepts this new certification mark it would certainly have an impact outside South Africa. Most industrial certification marks are today accepted worldwide and provide a platform for integrity and honest practices. In short, the self-regulating bodies of the Diamond and gem industry might end up adhering to the industrial certification mark at the end of the day. Certainly a good thing for both the industry and the consumer. Further details are expected to be released shortly.
