Preferred by Nature Certification supports individuals and organisations in driving positive change towards a sustainable future.

Preferred by Nature has developed a framework containing a universal set of performance-based principles and criteria that address core aspects of sustainability across commodities and supply chains.

The Sustainability Framework, which is the core normative standard of the programme, is built on our decades of experience mapping supply chains, working with land managers and assessing risk worldwide. It can be used for land managers, retailers, and every step in between.

Preferred by Nature Certification is also aligned with emerging Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting standards. This makes it a valuable resource for individuals and organisations committed to good ESG practices.

The Certification provides you with knowledge, tools and resources to build a sustainable future, from reducing carbon emissions to promoting social responsibility and nature protection.

Work with us

Backed by our dedicated team, you’ll be able to create a roadmap for your sustainability journey, make informed decisions and positively impact people, nature and climate.

Earn the Preferred by Nature Certification and play an active role in shaping a brighter future!

The Preferred by Nature Seal

The Preferred by Nature Seal is your gateway to showcasing your organisation’s commitment to sustainable practices. It signifies that your products support farm or forest management with respect for people, nature and climate.

Unlock the Seal’s potential

1. Certified foresters and farmers may use it to communicate the organisation's certified status: Certified organisations can display the Seal across their communication channels, affirming their certified status.

2. Using the Seal in relation to final products: Organisations aiming to use the Seal in relation to final products must be certified against the Sustainability Framework and also:

• Manage carbon footprint: This includes measuring the products carbon footprint and having a transparent plan for reducing it. Conformance with the Preferred by Nature Carbon Footprint Management Standard is required. 
• Ensure positive impact: Make a financial contribution to projects that promote climate and biodiversity positive impacts, generating tangible benefits for people, nature and climate. Various options are available for this, as detailed in the Preferred by Nature Seal Use Policy.

3. For segregation: Organisations involved in manufacturing, processing or trading of non-final products may also use the Seal for segregation purposes. This method helps distinguish certified products as they journey through the supply chain.

Learn more:

• Seal use policy
• Preferred by Nature™ Seal Graphic Guidelines

Standards overview

PBN-01 Sustainability Framework

Contains the principles, criteria and indicators for sustainability, and includes indicators for farm/forest certification, and indicators relevant for processing facilities. It can be used in its generic form, or a commodity adapted form (we will develop commodity adaptations where needed). A subset of the Sustainability Framework is applicable to entities that hold Chain of Custody certification, such as processing, manufacturing and traders. The requirements focus on labour rights and health & safety in the value chain. (Download)

PBN-02 System Requirements

Requirements for organisations seeking Preferred by Nature certification. The standard aims at providing requirements for handling systems to ensure consistent implementation of Preferred by Nature certification requirements. (Download)

PBN-03 Supply Chain Management and Due Diligence Requirements

Contains requirements for entities seeking certification using a due diligence approach to securing low risk of violations of the Sustainability Framework (or regulatory) requirements in their product supply chains and at the source of the raw material. (Download)

PBN-04 Seal Use Policy

Requirements for companies using the Preferred by Nature Certified Seal. Also includes the requirements for climate compensation. (Download)

PBN-05 Chain of Custody and Traceability Standard

Generic Chain of Custody standard outlining the requirements for the models of Chain of Custody accepted under the Preferred by Nature Certification. (Download)

PBN-09 Terms and Definitions

A key document containing expansion on the different terms and definitions used in the Preferred by Nature Certification programme documents. (Download)

PBN-13 EUDR-aligned Indicators

Subset of the PBN-01 requirements, containing the indicators relevant to meeting deforestation and legality obligations of the EU Deforestation Regulation. These indicators are used to evaluate companies under the “Regulatory Scope”. (Download)