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UEBT Certified - Ingredient
UEBT
Ethical sourcing ensures fair ingredient production practices.
Key Strengths
- Rooted in UN biodiversity frameworks with strong international credibility
- Covers both social equity and biodiversity conservation in a single standard
- Recognized by leading sustainability-focused brands like Natura and Weleda
- Provides a consumer-facing label for marketing ethical sourcing claims
- Supports supply chain transparency from wild harvest to finished ingredient
- Independent nonprofit governance ensures standard integrity
Ideal For
This certification is best suited for companies that source natural ingredients from biodiversity-rich regions and want to demonstrate ethical sourcing practices. It is particularly relevant for cosmetics, personal care, food, and nutraceutical manufacturers whose supply chains involve wild-harvested or cultivated botanical ingredients. Organizations seeking to meet growing consumer and regulatory expectations around biodiversity conservation, fair trade, and human rights in sourcing will find this certification highly valuable.
Target Audiences
Relevant Roles
Industries
Alignment & Recognition
Accrediting Body
Recognized By
- UEBT standard (Ethical BioTrade Standard)
Scope
Overview
The UEBT Certified - Ingredient program focuses on ethical sourcing of natural ingredients. UEBT, or the Union for Ethical BioTrade, aims to ensure biodiversity conservation and fair trade practices. Founded in 2007, UEBT provides certifications for companies committed to sourcing responsibly.
For organizations seeking certification, UEBT evaluates their supply chains for biodiversity impacts and social equity. The program has major clients like Natura and Weleda, which are known for their sustainability commitment.
In 2020, UEBT reported 44 member companies across 16 countries, impacting over 250,000 people through better working conditions and sustainable farming practices. The certification helps product manufacturers meet growing consumer demand for ethically sourced ingredients, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain.
Requirements & Verification
Evidence Requirements
Applicants must provide comprehensive documentation of their ingredient supply chains, including sourcing origins, supplier relationships, biodiversity impact assessments, and social compliance records. Evidence typically includes supplier audits, contracts, traceability records, benefit-sharing agreements, and documentation of practices related to human rights, living wages, and wild species management. Third-party certification bodies conduct on-site audits of supply chain actors to verify claims against the Ethical BioTrade Standard.
Prerequisites
Assessment Process
Certification is awarded following a third-party audit conducted by an accredited certification body. Auditors evaluate the applicant's ingredient supply chain against the Ethical BioTrade Standard, reviewing documentation, conducting supplier site visits, and interviewing supply chain actors. The audit assesses biodiversity conservation practices, benefit sharing, human rights compliance, living wages, and traceability. The timeline from application to certification varies depending on supply chain complexity but typically spans several months.
Renewal & Compliance
UEBT certifications are subject to periodic surveillance and renewal audits conducted by accredited third-party certification bodies. Certificate holders must maintain ongoing compliance with the Ethical BioTrade Standard and undergo re-audits at defined intervals. Continued membership or engagement with UEBT and associated fees are typically required to maintain certification status.
Accountability Model
Impact & Outcomes
Employer Recognition
Consider Alternatives If...
Organizations with short, simple supply chains or those sourcing only synthetic or highly processed ingredients may find the scope of UEBT's biodiversity and social criteria difficult to apply meaningfully. Companies seeking a quick or low-cost certification may also find the audit-based process resource-intensive relative to simpler self-declaration schemes.
Alternative Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Facts
Certification
English
2008
Available
How to Display This Recognition
Certification Details
Assessment
Verification
Structure
Governance
Fee Structure
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