Upcoming launch of the free Preferred by Nature Due Diligence Toolkit
Get ready to elevate your organisation’s responsible sourcing efforts with Preferred by Nature’s open-source Due Diligence Toolkit! Launching in January 2025, this freely available toolkit is designed to help organisations implement responsible sourcing for forestry and agriculture products in line with their sustainability practices.
It also supports organisations in strengthening their due diligence systems to meet regulatory requirements, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). We are currently inviting select individuals and organisations to test a Beta version and provide feedback to help shape the final release.
As global concerns around deforestation, climate change and human rights violations continue to rise, it is imperative for organisations, particularly those in the agriculture and forestry sectors, to implement effective due diligence systems. Our toolkit aims to provide a robust foundation for tackling these challenges by offering a suite of resources tailored to the specific needs of businesses.
The new Due Diligence Toolkit will replace Preferred by Nature’s LegalSource Due Diligence Toolkit. It has been developed to align with our Sustainability Framework’s normative requirements, as well as the specific due diligence mandates of the EUDR. It is designed to help organisations put their sustainability due diligence systems into practice for forestry and agricultural commodities, both within and outside the EU.
What will be inside the toolkit?
Within this toolkit, you will find:
- Guidance documents providing step-by-step instructions to help you establish and operationalise your due diligence system.
- Templates that streamline the implementation process.
- Sample procedures illustrating best practices in responsible sourcing and compliance.
The toolkit is structured around five categories:
- System set-up: Get started by establishing a responsible sourcing policy and documented procedures for due diligence within your organisation. These tools include templates for sourcing policies and due diligence procedures.
- Information & supply chains: Access resources for onboarding suppliers, gathering essential supply chain information, and ensuring traceability. Explore templates and guides for supplier questionnaires, information collection and supply chain mapping.
- Assessing risks: Learn how to assess sustainability-related risks in your supply chains, covering a range of social and environmental topics. Tools such as supply chain risk analysis templates and deforestation risk assessment guides will support your analysis.
- Responding to risks & impacts: Understand approaches to addressing identified risks, with tools to help you manage risks through supplier verification, document evaluation and the use of certification or other assurance systems.
- Transparency & reporting: Use these template tools for public reporting and product statements to communicate your due diligence efforts effectively.
The first version of the toolkit will include 24 tools, available in PDF, Microsoft Word and Excel formats to ensure accessibility and ease of use. Aligned with our commitment to open source, the toolkit will be freely available, allowing stakeholders to adapt and use the materials to meet their specific needs.
The toolkit is intended to provide an initial foundation for businesses, serving as a starting point for their responsible sourcing efforts. We view it as a set of living documents, shaped by user experiences and evolving over time alongside the Sustainability Framework.
Our commitment to continuous improvement means that we will actively gather user feedback to inform updates that enhance the toolkit's accuracy and relevance. Additionally, as the European Commission releases more guidance and clarifications in relation to the EUDR, we will seek to update the toolkit to reflect these changes, making it an effective resource for all users.
Webinars coming soon
We will be hosting a series of webinars to provide further clarity on how to use the toolkit effectively. These webinars will offer insights into the toolkit’s features, as well as guidance on using its tools within your organisation’s responsible sourcing practices. The first webinar is planned for mid-January 2025. Keep an eye on our events page for updates and registration details.
Be part of the development process
We are seeking a limited group of professionals to review the Beta version of this upcoming Due Diligence Toolkit and provide valuable feedback before its official release. By participating in this review process, you will have the unique opportunity to provide input that will help shape future iterations of the toolkit. Your insights will help us to ensure that the toolkit effectively meets the needs of its users.
If you are interested in being considered for the review process, please fill in your details in this registration form. Our team will contact a selected group of candidates to provide you with access to the toolkit once it's ready for review.
Join the waitlist
If you would like to be notified as soon as the full toolkit becomes available, we encourage you to join our waitlist. By signing up, you will receive updates on the toolkit’s launch. Visit our dedicated webpage to register your interest: Preferred by Nature Due Diligence Toolkit
Join us in our collective effort towards a more sustainable future!
Visit our EUDR webpage for more information on the regulation and how we can support you. You can also learn more about our Sustainability Framework here.
