The European Commission announced a test regime for monitoring the embargo on Russian diamonds.

Enforcement of the embargo on diamonds from RUSSIA is underway in a test mode, and an electronic certification system for the stones will be launched in a few months, the European Commission told RIA Novosti.

As of January 1, 2024 , a ban on direct imports of Russian diamonds has been in effect in the European Union , and indirect supplies from Russia have also been banned since March. In September, EU authorities plan to launch a new system for tracking the country of origin of precious stones in Antwerp.

"The G7 certification system has been in place since March 1, 2024, in a test mode. Diamonds can be imported into the EU until August 31, 2024, using documentary evidence of origin," the agency's source explained.

The Belgian Financial Authority at the Antwerp Diamond Centre has been tasked with verifying the origin of diamonds for entry into EU markets under the ban on certain precious stones from Russia.

The agency's source explained that economic operators themselves, under the supervision of EU member states, are responsible for enforcing the embargo, while the European Commission  ensures uniformity of measures throughout the community.

In early March, CANADA and the United States imposed a ban on the import of Russian diamonds weighing over 1 carat. Effective September 1, 2024, the embargo will apply to Russian synthetic diamonds processed in third countries, as well as jewelry made in third countries using Russian diamonds weighing over 0.5 carats.

Russia  is the world's largest producer of rough diamonds. In 2021, exports amounted to $4 billion, or 30% of the global market. More than 80% of the world's rough diamonds are sold through dealers in Antwerp.

Russian authorities have stated that they will circumvent sanctions . As presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov noted , options for circumventing them "exist and will be implemented" to protect and ensure Russia's interests.