Pandora launches FSC certified jewellery
The globally successful jewellery company Pandora is now introducing Wood Beads, beautiful FSC-certified wooden beads made from lesser known timber species.
The beads form part of the Pandora customized bracelet concept, where customers design their own bracelet by combining different charms. The charms often signal special interests or values of the person wearing the bracelet. By choosing
Wood Beads, the bracelet owner can show her support for the tropical rainforests.
Initially, the beads are introduced on the Scandinavian and German markets. In the next phase, the Wood Beads will be launched in all of the 25 countries around the world where Pandora jewellery is currently sold.
Supplier with a vision
The Wood Beads concept has been designed and developed by Pandora's supplier Rainforest Protection Initiative (RPI).
CEO of RPI Peter Rantzau says: "The business concept of RPI is based on the ambition to make a real difference. This is laid out in our Canopy Woods™ Code of Conduct. The Wood Beads are not an empty symbol, but truly signify care for the world's forests".
The company exclusively designs and manufactures products from lesser known tropical species originating in FSC-certified forests. Each of the 5 wood species that form the basis for the Wood Beads charm collection has been carefully selected based on close scrutiny, to ensure that the wood is durable, beautifully coloured, and fulfills a range of technical and quality requirements.
RPI also avoids sourcing wood from tropical forest areas that are not already threatened by deforestation. "While the precious natural tropical forests should be left intact whenever it is realistically possible, we can truly make a difference in those areas where the forest is already under pressure, by providing an alternative to destructive logging. By demanding FSC-certified wood products and using the lesser known timber species, we create added value for responsible use of the forest", explains Rantzau.
Focus on quality and credibility
RPI holds FSC chain of custody certificate issued by the Rainforest Alliance, based on NEPCon's services.
"We are delighted by the competent service delivered by NEPCon. We chose FSC as the certification scheme underlying our Canopy Woods concept
because the Forest Stewardship Council is the most well-respected global forestry certification scheme. The certification process impressed us as highly professional and confirmed that FSC is a serious certification scheme", notes Rantzau.
"Of course we need to spend some resources to comply with all requirements, but we fully understand the basis for this. Quality and credibility need to be top priorities for the FSC system to be effective".
Sources: Rainforest Protection Initiative and Pandora
