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What is “NDQA Mark” Scheme?
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NDQA  
What is "NDQA Mark” Scheme?
"Natural Diamond Quality Assurance” Mark ("NDQA" Mark)
The NDQA, a consumer protection program, was launched by the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China Ltd. (DFHK) in 2015. It pledges to offer "Natural, Assurance & Protection” to consumers when purchasing diamonds. It takes pride in consolidating consumer rights and strives to exceed customers’ expectations.
The Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China Ltd (DFHK) is a non-profit organisation and its main objective is to protect consumer interest by standardizing business practices.  DFHK has undertaken its mission to uphold Hong Kong’s reputation as a "Shopping Paradise”, "Asia’s Diamond Centre” and "Asia World City” by enforcing the integrity of the diamond industry with uniformed business practices, promoting customer services and protecting consumer rights.

DFHK focuses on strengthening the integrity of the diamond industry and promoting consumers' confidence in diamond. The "Hong Kong SAR Government Trade Descriptions Ordinance” is used as the bases in developing the "Natural Diamond Quality Assurance” Scheme; leading to a win-win-win situation for Hong Kong, the participating retailers and ultimately the end consumers.
Benefits and Pledges of the Scheme:
Consumer : Consumer interest being protected under the NDQA scheme and its assurance enables consumers to buy diamonds with confidence.
Participating Jewelers : Fair and consistent business practices, endorse integrity and promote purchase with confidence from NDQA participants.
Hong Kong : Consumers’ preference in purchasing diamonds in Hong Kong thus upholding Hong Kong’s reputation as a "Shopping paradise”, "Asia’s Diamond Centre” and  "Asia's World City."
Look For "NDQA” Mark
 
 
Why purchase diamonds from NDQA Participating Retailers?
1. Commitment on Selling Natural Diamonds Only
 
  • Qualified "NDQA” Participating Retailers pledge to sell natural diamonds only.  No synthetic diamond products will be selling in the same premises.
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    2. Commitment on Quality Matches Product Description
     
  • Participating retailers agree to abide by rules of the DFHK "Integrity Pledge" program and the laws of the HKSAR Government.

  • Execute professional and honest sales practices; true representation, including clear and accurate invoicing which lists Carat, Colour, Clarity and Cut Shape for solitaire diamonds 30 points and above.
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    Qualification for NDQA Participating Retailer?
    • Participating in accordance of the NDQA Scheme is voluntary, members are required to apply and have their membership renewed annually.  Members must pass the stringent assessment.

    • Applicants will have their company background, organization structure and business practices vetted by the Audit Committee.
    • Participant has carried out diamond retail business in the past twelve months in Hong Kong and with no complaint regarding diamond quality substantiated by Hong Kong Tourism Board and/or Consumer Council.

    • Commitments from the Participating Retailer:

      1. To abide by the Regulations, Terms and Conditions of the 'DFHK's Integrity Pledge'.

      2. Will not sell 'artificial', 'man-made', 'synthetic' or any other qualities of non-natural diamonds.

      3. Diamond sold must match the description of natural diamonds and any other relevant data clearly recorded.  In the event of any complaint received from a customer, the Disciplinary Committee of DFHK will investigate.  If the complaint is validated, Participating Retailer, together with assistance provided by DFHK, will strive to resolve the complaint efficiently and effectively to the satisfaction of consumers.

      4. A Participating Retailer will respect and abide by the verdict of the Audit Committee and the Disciplinary Committee of DFHK.

      5. A Participating Retailer will be governed by the Hong Kong SAR Government current legislations on trading in diamonds and jewellery, such as the Trade Description Ordinance and associated Regulations.

    • Unannounced and unscheduled inspection of the Participating Retailer will be conducted by DFHK officials on the followings:

      1. Invoice
        • All data on the invoices must fulfill all the requirements as set out in the Integrity Pledge.

      2. Product
        • Diamond jewellery will be randomly selected for submission to Qualified International Laboratories & Hong Kong Accredited Laboratories for verification of quality.
          (As rating of Diamond’s Colour and Clarity are non-quantitative, there can be discrepancies on grading from different gemologists, therefore the NDQA Scheme will allow for one down grade variation on Diamond Colour and Clarity respectively.)

        • Participating Retailers must pass the stringent annual inspection and fulfill all requirements set out by the Audit Committee of the DFHK to be allowed to continue to use the NDQA Mark.

        • The NDQA Mark decal will be validated with the membership year.  Participating Retailer should display the NDQA Mark in its retail premises.
    Organization, Structure & Monitoring System of the NDQA Scheme
    DFHK has set up the following 3 Committees and task force to execute & monitor the "NDQA” Mark Scheme
    1. Audit Committee

      Audit Committee Members:

      • Audit Committee Members: Members of DFHK Executive Committee (Volunteer)


      Responsibilities of the Audit Committee:

      i. Application

      • Application assessment
      • Scrutinizing Test Results
      • Assessment on Complaint Result
      • Approval of application


      ii. Management of Complaint

      • Assess whether complaint is substantiated.
      • Recommendation of follow up remedial action, including (but not limit to).
        • Deliver the diamond(s) in question to independent laboratories for testing and grading.
        • Act as mediator between participating retailer and complainant.
        • Report to Advisory Committee promptly and regularly on complaints received and any developments depending on the severity of the case.

    2. Advisory Committee

      Advisory Committee Members - A minimum of 5 from the following categories:

      • Professional such as: Lawyer, Auditor;
      • Professional Technician of the diamond trade; and
      • Member of the diamond industry.
        •


      Responsibilities of Advisory Committee:

      • To review and validate complaint
      • To thoroughly investigate validated complaint
      • Report to Disciplinary Panel on findings and recommend remedial action.
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    3. Disciplinary Committee

      Disciplinary Committee Members

      • Legal Advisor
      • Executive Members of DFHK
        •


      Responsibilities of Disciplinary Committee

      • To decide and deliver the disciplinary actions being: warning, suspension or expulsion from the NDQA Scheme if a complaint is validated and upheld.
      • Participating retailer if found guilty should abide by the verdict of the Disciplinary Committee.
      • Disciplinary Committee reserves the right and sole discretion of exercising the penalty and will report the case to Hong Kong Police where necessary.
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      The Disciplinary Committee will take appropriate remedial actions as follows:

      1. Nature of the complaint
        • If relating to quality of diamond: to verify whether the Participating Retailer in question fully complied with the disclosure of diamond quality, including whether it is natural or "synthetic”/ "man-made”/ similar nature of non-diamond.
        • If relating to terms and condition: To determine whether the Participating Retailer in question delivered the DFHK Integrity Pledge, guidelines and/or all terms and conditions of NDQA Scheme together with the relevant and current Government Ordinance and Regulations.
      2. With or without intent.
      3. Severity of the complaint.
      4. Frequency of offence.
      5. Impact on the integrity of NDQA Scheme.
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