Show your commitment to sourcing ingredients from nature through systems that respect people and biodiversity with UEBT certification.
Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT) certification is an effective way for businesses to show their commitment to products and ingredients that contribute to a world where people and biodiversity thrive.
Preferred by Nature is an independent third-party certification body approved to conduct evaluations against the requirements of the UEBT Certification for organisations worldwide.
What is UEBT?
UEBT is a non-profit association that promotes sourcing with respect. They work towards regenerating nature and securing a better future for people through the ethical sourcing of ingredients from biodiversity.
UEBT sets good practices for companies and their suppliers in sourcing specialty ingredients for sectors such as beauty, food, natural pharmaceuticals, flavors & fragrances, herbs & spices, among others.
These good practices act as a guidepost for companies and their suppliers, offering guidance on harvesting, collecting, or growing ingredients from biodiversity that is respectful of the local environment. Companies, communities, civil society, and other stakeholders collectively develop these practices, known as the UEBT standard.
UEBT is internationally recognised for its efforts in advancing business contributions to Sustainable Development Goals. By being certified against the UEBT standard, you provide credibility that your natural ingredients have been sourced with respect for people and biodiversity.
>> Learn more about UEBT
>> Download our info sheet
Certification options
Ethical Sourcing System Certification
UEBT's certification of a business' ethical sourcing system validates that a company sources ingredients from biodiversity through methods that respect people and nature.
Upon achieving ethical sourcing system certification, you can assure consumers and stakeholders that your sourcing and innovation practices align with the UEBT standard.
UEBT member companies with a certified ethical sourcing system are enabled to use the UEBT certification mark on their products and packaging according to the UEBT Claims and Labelling Policy.
UEBT Natural Ingredient Certification
UEBT’s certification of ingredients from biodiversity promotes ingredients which are sourced with respect for people and biodiversity. The certification is granted after independent audits verify compliance with the UEBT standard in the regions where ingredients are sourced. It always requires traceability throughout the area of collection or cultivation.
The UEBT standard serves as the basis for UEBT certification, covering economic issues related to sourcing ingredients from biodiversity. There are different permitted claims based on the type of certification. For more information, check out the UEBT Claims and Labelling Policy.
UEBT/Rainforest Alliance Herbs and Spices Programme
UEBT and the Rainforest Alliance have developed a joint Herbs & Spices Programme. All ingredients certified under this scheme can carry the Rainforest Alliance Certification Seal. The programme applies to all ingredients for herbal and fruit infusions, including rooibos, and other herbs & spices, including vanilla, chili, and pepper.
The UEBT/Rainforest Alliance requirements apply for ingredient certification. All ingredients certified under the new UEBT/Rainforest Alliance Herbs & Spices Programme will be able to carry the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal or UTZ certification label and/or be linked to the Rainforest Alliance or UTZ certification claims. For labelling and claims, the Rainforest Alliance Labelling and Trademarks Policy or the UTZ Labelling and Trademark Policy apply.
For more information, visit the UEBT website.
5 benefits of choosing UEBT certification
Help protect the environment. UEBT certification aims to conserve the environment by setting requirements for ingredient sourcing systems that respect people and nature.
Access new markets and customers. UEBT certification demonstrates your commitment to ethical sourcing, meeting the increasing demand from consumers for businesses to show dedication to sourcing with respect.
Enhanced visibility and branding opportunities. UEBT certification enables consumers to choose brands, products, and ingredients contributing to a thriving world.
Improved quality and management systems. Many certified companies have found that the certification process brings unexpected benefits, such as cost savings.
- Join a larger responsible community. UEBT members are committed companies involved in natural ingredient supply chains in the food, cosmetics, and natural pharmaceutical sectors. These members adhere to the UEBT standard to assure consumers that their products are made with ingredients sourced with respect for people and biodiversity.
UEBT certification process
Kick off your certification journey by completing our service request form or reaching out to us directly. Our experts will guide you through the certification scope that aligns best with your company setup and needs. The process outlined below covers the Ethical Sourcing System Certification, UEBT Natural Ingredient Certification, and the UEBT/Rainforest Alliance Herbs and Spices Programme.
Step 1: Certificate scope
We will help you to identify the scope that best fits your needs and company setup. Once you accept our offer, we will assign a Preferred by Nature contact person for your organisation.Step 2: Certification preparation
You need to develop the required procedures and instruct all relevant staff. We will review and provide feedback on your procedures before the on-site visit.Step 3: On-site audit
Conduct an on-site assessment when you are ready to check your compliance with the UEBT certification requirements through direct observations, document reviews, and staff interviews.Step 4: Draft report
We draft a formal report, reviewed by a senior Preferred by Nature expert, then reviewed by UEBT and approved once all standard requirements are properly evaluated.Step 5: Workplan
Once the report is finalised and approved by UEBT, a work plan template is created and sent to the potential certificate holder. A work plan gathers all identified non–non-conformities, and the client needs to present solutions on how to fix them.Step 6: Certification
Based on a positive outcome, UEBT issues your ethical sourcing system certificate, valid for one year. Upon expiration, a reassessment is needed to renew your certificate.
Complaints and resolutions
If a complaint is raised about our certification services or one of our clients, we handle this in accordance with our Dispute Resolution Policy. We may call on our Impartiality Committee if Preferred by Nature’s impartiality is under question.
UEBT certification programme
Under this programme, you can hold an UEBT certificate in conjunction with another UEBT certification such as the Ethical Sourcing System Certification, Natural Ingredient Certification or UEBT/Rainforest Alliance Herbs & Spices Programme.
Wider sustainability service choice
We are a certification body approved to conduct audits for a number of certification programmes, including agricultural schemes, such as:
Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard (RA SAS) Farm and Supply Chain certification
GLOBALG.A.P. fruit and vegetables certification
GLOBALG.A.P. chain of custody certification
Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP)
- Starbucks® C.A.F.E. Practices
Our work includes the development of practical solutions to drive positive impacts in production landscapes and supply chains. We do this through innovative projects, capacity building and sustainability services.
Preferred by Nature Certification
We have also created a universal framework to ensure big and small companies, or even smallholders can optimise their positive impact across various supply chains and commodities. The Preferred by Nature Certification, based on our Sustainability Framework, is adaptable and uses a risk-based approach that evaluates critical sustainability issues based on the commodity, region and scale of activity.
UEBT Standard
UEBT defines practices that respect people and biodiversity in the way ingredients from biodiversity are grown, collected, researched, processed and commercialised. The UEBT standard is used to independently check that these practices are systemically applied.
The standard covers biodiversity conservation and restoration, cultivation and wild collection practices for sustainable use of biodiversity, human and workers’ rights, and community well being and local development.
Companies and other organisations use the standard to promote good practices in their operations and along their supply chains – all the way to the cultivation or wild collection sites.
Access the standard and related resources:
Info sheet
UEBT Info Sheet
Ethical Sourcing System Certification, Ingredient Certification, Herbs and Spices Programme - learn more about the UEBT scheme.
Ethical Sourcing System Certification, Ingredient Certification, Herbs and Spices Programme - learn more about the UEBT scheme.
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