UEBT is a non profit organisation with a membership commitment programme for companies that wish to enhance their work on sourcing botanicals with respect for people and biodiversity. Businesses can get started on the journey to ethically source ingredients from biodiversity by joining the group of committed companies that are working with us. We are open to any business committed to sourcing with respect. 

About UEBT membership

Members are committed companies of any size (including individual farms, cooperatives, processors, manufacturers and brands) who are actively involved in the collection or cultivation of ingredients from biodiversity (botanicals). They might be producer organisations or companies that process materials into active ingredients, such as essential oils and herbal teas. They may be companies that manufacture final products such as fragrances, cosmetics, specialty food and more. Brands may also become members of UEBT. By sourcing with respect, companies are demonstrating sustainability leadership in their sector. 

UEBT’s platform gives companies…

• The opportunity to be part of a growing movement of companies committed to sourcing with respect for people and biodiversity.

• Credible, flexible solutions for supply chain assessments (verification or third-party certification) to pinpoint weaknesses, manage risks with suppliers, and to harness opportunities for positive impact on people and nature in botanicals sourcing areas

• Independent expertise, tools and guidance, and support to improve operations, manage risks, respond to due diligence rules, and more.

• Access to innovative approaches for biodiversity regeneration and conservation on the ground

What is required

UEBT members commit to improving their sourcing of ingredients from biodiversity. They set meaningful targets, undergo a check of their company’s sourcing systems, set measures for gradual improvement and monitor their progress. Learn more about what UEBT looks for and what are the five commitments a UEBT member makes.

Members adhere to the UEBT membership conditions and promote good practices in prioritised supply chains in line with the UEBT standard.

Become a member

The starting point for any company is a formal commitment to UEBT membership conditions and obligations (available on resources page).  Once this commitment is made, the company follows a three-step pathway to become a UEBT Member.

1.   Complete and submit an application

• Application fees must be paid (Application fees are calculated as 50% of the membership fee)

• UEBT verifies eligibility

• Email us to request an application form.

• Applying for certification at the same time? Access the combined application form.

2.   Pass the UEBT review

• We look at the company’s ethical sourcing system

• A gap assessment (desktop) is performed by UEBT

• UEBT can offer alternative solutions to fit the needs of companies

3.   Submit a workplan

• Workplan must focus on improving the ethical sourcing system

• Workplan is approved by UEBT

• Upon approval of the workplan, the company must pay an annual membership fee

Membership fees

Membership fees are invoiced annually at the start of every calendar year and are based on the total annual revenue of the member organisation.

(The first year of membership a pro-rato membership fee is invoiced for the months of membership in that calendar year)

Membership communications

UEBT members can communicate about their membership and use the UEBT member logo as a signature to their company at the corporate level. Many UEBT members then proceed to work with UEBT on a range of improvements in their supply chains, leading to additional claims that can be made or the UEBT certification label.

The UEBT membership claim is not the same as certification or verification. Membership claims are never allowed on products, on packaging or in product-related communications.

Read a summary of the UEBT services you might seek depending on the claim you would like to make for your product or company.