Net Zero Compare
Pandora Responsible Sourcing Programme and Traceability Systems

Pandora Responsible Sourcing Programme and Traceability Systems: Establish Recycled Materials Governance, Supplier Emissions Disclosure and Scope 3 Management Across Jewellery Supply Chains

Maílis Carrilho
Written by Maílis Carrilho
Published Apr 26, 2026

Summary

Pandora’s supplier framework combines a Supplier Code of Conduct, responsible sourcing standards, and traceability systems to manage emissions and material impacts across jewellery supply chains. Suppliers must provide emissions data, ensure traceability, and support recycled precious metals. Procurement integration links sustainability performance to supplier eligibility, while governance extends across multi-tier supply networks. The system reflects a materials-driven approach to Scope 3 emissions and circularity.

Details

Jurisdictions
  • Global
Mandatory for

Mandatory: Supplier Code of Conduct compliance.

Functionally mandatory: traceability and recycled materials for key suppliers.

Stronger requirements: high-risk material suppliers.

Implementation varies by supplier category and material type.

Deep dive

4 min read
Updated Apr 27, 2026

📩 Stay ahead of climate regulation and reporting shifts

Regulatory updates, reporting standards, and new climate software — distilled into one concise weekly brief for decision-makers.

Thanks for signing up. Please check your inbox to confirm your subscription.

Practical updates. Once per week.


What’s Required

Pandora has developed a materials- and traceability-driven governance system, embedding sustainability into sourcing, production and supplier relationships. The framework combines strict material standards with supplier compliance requirements and environmental targets.

The architecture includes:

  • Supplier Code of Conduct.

  • Responsible sourcing standards for precious metals and stones.

  • Traceability and transparency systems.

  • Climate and circular materials strategy.

This creates a materials-centric governance model, where supplier performance is directly linked to material origin, emissions and product sustainability.

1. Emissions Disclosure, Measurement and Reduction

Suppliers are required or expected to:

  • Measure and report greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing.

  • Track energy consumption and operational efficiency.

  • Implement emissions reduction measures.

For key suppliers, this includes:

  • Provision of emissions data for Scope 3 accounting.

  • Participation in sustainability reporting.

  • Alignment with decarbonisation pathways, including the Science-Based Targets initiative, where applicable.

This establishes manufacturing-level emissions disclosure, particularly for jewellery production and materials processing.

2. Scope 3 Governance and Value Chain Integration

Pandora integrates supplier emissions into its Scope 3 strategy, recognising that materials and manufacturing dominate its footprint.

Suppliers must:

  • Provide emissions and environmental data.

  • Reduce the carbon intensity of production.

  • Align with Pandora’s climate commitments.

This creates a materials-driven Scope 3 governance model, where:

  • Precious metals and stones drive emissions.

  • Supplier processes influence product carbon footprint.

3. Recycled Materials and Traceability Architecture

A defining feature is Pandora’s commitment to recycled precious metals.

Suppliers must:

  • Provide recycled silver and gold where required.

  • Ensure traceability of materials to origin.

  • Comply with responsible sourcing standards.

Pandora has committed to using 100% recycled silver and gold in its jewellery.

The system enables:

  • Material origin tracking.

  • Verification of recycled content.

  • Reduced environmental impact from mining.

This creates a circular materials governance system with strong traceability requirements.

4. Responsible Sourcing and Ethical Materials

Suppliers must:

  • Comply with responsible sourcing standards.

  • Avoid materials linked to conflict or unethical practices.

  • Ensure transparency in sourcing.

This includes alignment with industry standards for responsible jewellery production.

This creates an ethical sourcing governance layer, particularly relevant for high-risk materials.

5. Energy Use and Renewable Transition

Suppliers are expected to:

  • Improve energy efficiency in production.

  • Reduce operational emissions.

  • Transition toward renewable energy where feasible.

This establishes an energy decarbonisation requirement across manufacturing supply chains.

6. Audit, Verification and Monitoring Systems

Pandora enforces compliance through:

  • Supplier audits and assessments.

  • Certification schemes and verification processes.

  • ESG and environmental performance monitoring.

Suppliers must:

  • Provide access to facilities and data.

  • Demonstrate compliance with Supplier Code.

  • Address non-conformances through corrective actions.

This creates a hybrid monitoring system, combining audits with traceability verification.

7. Procurement Integration and Supplier Segmentation

Environmental performance is embedded into procurement through:

  • Supplier onboarding and qualification.

  • Sustainability criteria in sourcing decisions.

  • ESG evaluation and scoring.

Suppliers are segmented based on:

  • Material type (precious metals, stones).

  • Environmental and ethical risk.

  • Strategic importance.

High-impact suppliers face:

  • Stronger traceability requirements.

  • Greater scrutiny.

  • Higher expectations for emissions reduction.

This results in a materials-driven supplier governance model.

8. Upstream Cascade Requirements

Suppliers are expected to:

  • Extend Pandora standards to sub-suppliers.

  • Ensure traceability across multi-tier supply chains.

  • Manage environmental and ethical risks upstream.

This extends governance into:

  • Precious metal refiners.

  • Raw material suppliers.

  • Jewellery manufacturing processes.

The framework, therefore, operates across complex global jewellery supply chains.

9. Lifecycle and Product-Level Implications

The framework directly affects:

  • Material sourcing and processing.

  • Manufacturing emissions.

  • Product carbon footprint.

  • Circularity and resource efficiency.

Supplier performance influences:

  • Scope 3 emissions reporting.

  • Product sustainability claims.

  • ESG disclosures.

  • Brand positioning.

This aligns supplier practices with product-level sustainability and lifecycle impacts.

Important Deadlines

Key timelines include:

  • Completion of transition to 100% recycled silver and gold.

  • 2030 climate and sustainability targets.

  • Ongoing sustainability reporting cycles.

Suppliers are expected to demonstrate continuous improvement and compliance.

Current Status

The framework is active and relatively advanced, with strong emphasis on:

  • Recycled materials.

  • Traceability and transparency.

  • Supplier emissions disclosure.

Pandora is often cited as a leader in circular materials within jewellery.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Enforcement is procurement-driven and includes:

  • Corrective action requirements.

  • Removal from approved supplier lists.

  • Reduced sourcing volumes.

  • Contract termination.

This creates a direct link between sustainability performance and supplier eligibility.

Examples of Known Failure Modes

Typical risks include:

  • Lack of traceability for materials.

  • Non-compliance with recycled content requirements.

  • Weak environmental management practices.

  • Insufficient emissions data.

These issues affect supplier qualification and sourcing decisions.

Resources


Maílis Carrilho
Added by:
Maílis Carrilho
Sustainability Research Analyst
Maílis Carrilho is a Sustainability Research Analyst (Intern) at Net Zero Compare, contributing research and analysis on climate tech, carbon policies, and sustainable solutions. She supports the team in developing fact-based content and insights to help companies and readers navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.
Our principle

Cut through the green tape

We don't push agendas. At Net Zero Compare, we cut through the hype and fear to deliver the straightforward facts you need for making informed decisions on green products and services. Whether motivated by compliance, customer demands, or a real passion for the environment, you’re welcome here. We provide reliable information. Why you seek it is not our concern.

Added on Apr 26, 2026 by Maílis Carrilho · Updated on Apr 27, 2026