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Sourcing with respect for a world in which all people and biodiversity thrive
 

Dear colleagues,

 
 
 
 

In a world in turmoil, our work together is a reason for hope. Biodiversity has never been as high on the agenda. There is a surge in commitments and action for people and nature. Restoration and regeneration are becoming rallying concepts. Business is coming together to call for a bold and actionable global biodiversity agenda.

UEBT is blooming, with a growing membership and assessments of sourcing practices in botanical supply chains around the world. But it is the local actions taken by UEBT members that really inspire us. Concrete steps to regenerate biodiversity and increase local livelihoods from the desert in Argentina to the forests of Brazil, Madagascar, and Indonesia. Precious plants like Jojoba, Centella, Vanilla, and Patchouli capture the essence of biodiversity in food, cosmetics and other products and contribute to revenues of families all over the globe.

Not all is rosy however. Supply chains face many challenges, including gaps in ethical sourcing practices.  Poverty, uncontrolled pesticide use, land conversion are all problems we encounter and are working hard to address.

Our work is crucial, now more than ever. We are so proud to support our growing and committed group of companies on their ethical sourcing journey. We invite you all to celebrate with us these successes, to double down on concrete actions, and… think big on next steps! 

Rik Kutsch Lojenga, Executive Director

 

Bas Schneiders, Board President

 

Rik Kutsch Lojenga, Bas Schneiders and Annette Piperidis inaugurating the UEBT label in Weleda’s gardens

 
 

Scaling up

  • In 2021 we welcomed 22 new members from countries as diverse as Brazil, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, the Netherlands, Turkey, UK, US and Vietnam.
  • This included major brands including Guerlain, Kenzo and Givenchy, Clarins and Fresh, among others. Firmenich, one of the world’s largest fragrance and flavor companies, joined UEBT this year at a global level.

“Today we are at a turning point

in tackling biodiversity.

So we became a UEBT member

and it

has really helped us define a

clear vision and drive our focus.”

Cécile Lochard, Chief Sustainability Officer, Guerlain

UEBT Members

UEBT members as of May 2022

 
  • In early 2021 the Economist Intelligence Unit issued a report called Eco-wakening referencing the rising awareness and concern among consumers about nature loss. One section was dedicated to how entire industries are shifting, with proof of this happening in the beauty and natural pharmaceuticals sector citing the significant growth in UEBT membership in the last five years, including the engagement from leading global brands.
 
 
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Implementing our 2021-2024 strategic plan

 In 2021 we began the implementation of our new four-year strategic plan.  Our level of ambition is significant for these next years, and we feel confident we can reach our aspirations.

  • The UEBT standard was translated to five languages. See here.
  • We launched four consumer-facing web sites to raise awareness of our label and companies working with us – Brazil, Germany, France, and International
  • More than 50 UEBT member companies signed a commitment to the UN Action Agenda for Nature as part of the lead up to the COP 15 meeting
  • We launched a new joint Herbs & Spices certification programme with Rainforest Alliance
  • We announced a new online tool for ABS and the first 10 companies swiftly subscribed to it.
  • We approved 18 biodiversity action plans as of the end of 2021
  • We completed 87 field verifications all over the world – this is where UEBT experts check supply chains against the UEBT requirements and help companies develop improvement plans
  • Our five digital dialogues reached 700 people – both ‘live’ and recorded - and closed with a fragrances roundtable featuring leaders from IFF, Firmenich, Givaudan and Symrise that reached more than 300 people.
  • Our side event to the first part of COP15 was called ‘The race is on…business for biodiversity’ and featured a 10-company panel moderated by the UEBT Executive Director. It reached more than 250 people.
  • The UEBT label expanded in the markets – with more than 16 companies using the label on or off product in B2C consumer- or B2B client-facing marketing.
  • UEBT increasing found itself mentioned in the news, including in a German television programme that featured Weleda’s work on access and benefit-sharing, and in a featured article in WWD on the American brand Fresh joining UEBT.
 
 

Sourcing with respect

As of the writing of this annual report (March 2022), UEBT members are improving sourcing practices in more than 1,000 supply chains in 85 countries.

 Check our 2021 M&E report here.

* As of December 2020, ** As of May 2022

 

Our growth in the last year

 
 
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In the field – formalising our verification work

UEBT verification

Assessing ingredient sourcing practices

The core of UEBT’s work to support improvements in ethical sourcing is based in the field.  UEBT experts travel the world to verify or certify that ingredients from biodiversity are sourced with respect.  In 2021, we began to formalize our field verification programme that complements our certification work.  In verification, UEBT assesses companies’ supply chains using the UEBT standard and can pinpoint strengths and weaknesses for continuous improvement.

From due diligence to positive impact

UEBT looks at our comprehensive set of requirements in every verification, but companies can meet them one step at a time:

  • Responsible sourcing – companies meet requirements in the UEBT standard that are good for mitigating negative impact, meeting due diligence programmes, or for managing risk.

  • Ethical sourcing – companies meet all of the responsible sourcing requirements plus requirements that promote positive impact for people and biodiversity.

87 verifications took place in 2021 across a wide range of countries and natural raw materials. Here are just a few:

This map represents a sample of the verifications performed by UEBT in 2021.

Risks in the Carnauba sector – in late 2021 we saw disturbing images from Brazilian news outlets on cases of modern slavery found in Carnauba wax supply chains in northeastern Brazil. UEBT is secretariat of the Initiative for Responsible Carnauba (IRC) and took this disappointing information to reach out to all UEBT members that are sourcing Carnauba wax – reminding these companies to take the labour rights abuses seriously in Carnauba procurement, and to encourage them all to join the pre-competitive IRC if they have not already. Risk management will become an increasing focus for UEBT support to its members in the coming years. The IRC was started in 2018 and is made up of 16 companies that source Carnauba wax including manufacturers, distributors and international brands. They work to support Brazilian wax processors in their commitment to improve the living and working conditions of workers and preserve biodiversity in Carnauba extraction areas.

 
 

Sector focus

Blossom: Beauty and fragrances

UEBT began in the beauty sector with some of our first members and its work is really beginning to blossom in 2021.  We have iconic brands that have joined and many have made significant commitments to verify or certify their ingredients across one or more product lines in the coming few years. 

UEBT’s work with the fragrance sector has also blossomed. Members such as LMR Naturals by IFF, Dior, Kenzo Parfums, Givenchy Parfums, Firmenich, LVMH Recherche Parfums & Cosmétiques, Robertet, and several others have stepped up their engagement and work.

Our 2021 fragrance roundtable brought together four leaders to explore how to achieve impact within the sector and what are the levers for change.

‘Our products can show the way - in many circumstances - that we can have a positive contribution to biodiversity.’

Dominique Roques, VP Responsible Procurement, Firmenich

 

Grow: Herbs and spices

UEBT forged its partnership with Rainforest Alliance this year to begin to provide significant support to the herbs and spices sector.  Many new companies have achieved certification in 2021 alone and joined UEBT’s group of committed companies. See some examples in the map below.

 
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Financials

Find UEBT’s statement of financial position for the year 2021 below.

 

1 - Due to Covid there was no physical conference organised in 2020 and 2021. Instead the 'Digital dialogues' events were held.

2 - Dutch government support on staff costs over period Mar - May 2020 and Jun - Sep 2020

 
 
 

UEBT board of Directors

NameOrganisationFunctionEnd of term
Bas SchneidersWeledaBoard President2024
Stéphanie Paquin-JalouxFirmenichBoard Vice President2023
Eder RamosSymriseBoard Treasurer2023
Andrew WilsonExternal StakeholderBoard member2022
Britta Wyss BisangExternal StakeholderBoard member2025
Cyrille DoumecqLons site, part of Seppic groupBoard member2023
Elisa AragonNelixiaBoard member2024
Mark DavisNatura & CoBoard member2024
Pierre Charlier de ChilyAldiviaBoard member2023
Rachel WynbergExternal StakeholderBoard member2025
Sebastian SiebenMartin BauerBoard member2023
Viviana FigueroaExternal StakeholderBoard member2022

UEBT Staff

In 2021

See all staff here.

 
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