Standards and Trust Building

Conducts research globally on the safe and humane manufacture and use of children's products, and disseminates findings to promote industry improvements and child safety.

Grants Accredited Ethical Member status to industry participants who complete annual accreditation and distributes 500 holographic seals annually to active members to promote trust and ethical standards across the supply chain.

Advocates for increased support and better conditions for artisanal colored gemstone mining communities, including public calls for support at the ICA Congress, such as for Brazilian artisanal miners.

Advances the global colored gemstone industry by developing standards and fostering international collaboration among nearly 700 professionals and organizations across 47 countries.

Provides a one-stop-shop tender service offering flexible, cost-efficient market access for colored gemstone miners and vendors, including customized services, data analysis, and global hosting capabilities.

Organizes large-scale, biennial congresses and the ICA Plus 2026 conference to foster innovation, talent development, and sustainable growth by bringing together global gemstone professionals for seminars, networking, and strategy discussions.

Operates to promote understanding and appreciation of natural colored gemstones globally, supporting the industry through advocacy, research, and collaboration.

Publishes and disseminates INCOLOR, a specialized magazine featuring original research and expert insights on mining, lapidary practices, marketing, ethics, and promotion in the colored gemstone industry.

Designs, controls, and issues Kimberley Certificates to regulate and support the export of rough diamonds from the United States, enhancing legitimacy and business in the U.S. diamond industry.

Engages in international advocacy to conserve threatened species such as Pernambuco and Ebony, including participation in regulatory meetings and contributing to CITES listing revisions. The organization has advocated for updated CITES protections for Pernambuco, including at CoP19 in 2022.

Conducts scholarly research and publishes articles on historical aspects of violinmaking, including Danish violinmakers, and delivers lectures and publications in journals such as The Strad Magazine and the British Violin Makers Association Journal.

Creates and distributes educational materials and tools to support compliance with environmental regulations, including instructional videos, FAQs on the Lacey Act, the Documentation of Instrument Materials form, and guidance for Lacey Act Compliance Plans.

Develops educational curriculum focused on sustainable practices in violin and bow making to promote long-term conservation and responsible material use.

Organizes and delivers webinars to inform violin and bow makers about evolving environmental regulations, including the Lacey Act, EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and updates on Pernambuco conservation, with events held between 2024 and 2025.

Offers practical instructions for conducting wood inventories of bows and musical instruments to support traceability and regulatory compliance.

Provides direct support to conservation initiatives focused on species critical to violin and bow making, such as Pernambuco and Ebony, including through collaboration with the International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative (IPCI) founded in 2000.

Provides an independent valuation source for cocoa beans and cocoa products through a weekly review, used by members, banks, and financial analysts.

Carried out the NJDEP Charter Project aimed at supporting trade and welfare initiatives within the cocoa industry.