What our mark means

When you see the UEBT Certified label it means that an ingredient was harvested or grown in a way that respects people and biodiversity.

The label stands for our seven principles of ethical sourcing:

• Conservation of biodiversity

• Sustainable use of biodiversity

• Compliance with legislation

• Fair and equitable sharing of benefits

• Respect for rights of actors

• Clarity about land tenure

• Socio-economic sustainability

Significance of the label image

The UEBT certification mark has three parts, referring to plants (the leaf), animals (the face) and people (the hands representing how people need to care for biodiversity) and the entire image is a circle representing our one planet.

What ingredients are part of UEBT certification?

UEBT’s focus is on botanicals. The UEBT standard applies to botanicals that are collected, extracted or harvested and includes edible oils, nuts, fruit extracts, herbs, flowers, spices, resins and other ingredients.

Where does the mark go?

Once certified, brands may use the UEBT label on or off-pack (on-pack requires additional due diligence requirements) to underscore their commitment to ethical sourcing. This shows their customers that they are committed to ‘sourcing with respect.’  Since the certification is for a specific certified ingredient among many, the label can only be used on the back or side of pack except when additional conditions are met. We require this to underscore the good practice in that particular supply chain, but to not distract or mislead, since front-of-package labels usually refer to the entire product. This gives UEBT certified brands a credible claim that is clear, and not over-stated.

Will consumers care?

Recent research by UEBT (Biodiversity Barometer) on consumer awareness of and interest in biodiversity has shown that the majority (79%) of consumers feel that “companies have a moral obligation” to have a positive impact on ‘people and biodiversity’ in their sourcing of natural ingredients. Yet, only 37% of consumers feel “confident that companies pay serious attention” to these issues. 70% says they have more faith in a company “whose commitment to ethical sourcing of biodiversity is verified by independent organizations.” With the recent IPBES report on staggering biodiversity loss, and rising awareness of this crisis across major news outlets, and in academia and even children’s school curriculum, this awareness about biodiversity is poised to only grow further year upon year.

Is this similar to organic or cruelty-free?

UEBT certification is not the same as organic certification but they are complementary.  The Ethical BioTrade Standard requires practices that respect biodiversity and reduce biodiversity loss, such as restrictions on forest cutting, protection of endangered species and pollinators, enriching natural ecosystems and reducing pesticides.  Many ingredients in UEBT member companies’ products are both UEBT certified and certified organic, and the two systems often work together in farms and cultivation fields. 

UEBT certification is also different from the ‘cruelty-free’ mark. Animal testing is outside the scope of the UEBT standard, which is focused on the ground where ingredients are grown and collected.  Companies that work with UEBT often make separate commitments on this issue.       

You can show customers that you support people and biodiversity by sourcing with respect. Brands that work with UEBT show they are acting ethically.

Read more about some of the UEBT members that are using our label: