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Who we are

UEBT is a non-profit association that promotes sourcing with respect. We work to regenerate nature and secure a better future for people through ethical sourcing of ingredients from biodiversity. We aim to contribute to a world in which all people and biodiversity thrive.

We set good practices for how companies and their suppliers source specialty ingredients for the beauty, food, natural pharmaceuticals, flavours & fragrances, herbs and spices sectors, among others. 

UEBT is internationally recognised for our work with companies on ethical sourcing of ingredients from biodiversity.

What is sourcing with respect?

The good practices we set act as a guidepost for how companies and their suppliers should harvest, collect or grow ingredients from biodiversity in a way that is respectful of the local environment and the people who call it home. We call this "sourcing with respect."  Companies, communities, civil society and other stakeholders are involved in developing these practices, collectively known as the UEBT standard.

Working with UEBT is a powerful way for businesses to demonstrate impact to consumers, governments and other supply chain actors, and UEBT verification and certification allows all of us to choose brands, products and ingredients that are contributing to a world in which all people and biodiversity thrive.

UEBT’s focus: botanicals

Our focus is on botanicals. UEBT defines botanicals broadly, including plants and other unique raw materials derived from biodiversity. For UEBT, the term covers plant parts – such as roots, flowers, fruits – or other material or compounds from animals, fungi, or microbial organisms. These ingredients may be used as herbs and spices or in compositions and ingredients used for medicinal, flavor, fragrance, dietary, cosmetic, or other purposes. We distinguish botanicals from commodities, which also derive from biodiversity but are grown and traded in large scale, often interchangeably.

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Our vision

A world in which all people and biodiversity thrive.

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Our mission

We work to regenerate nature and secure a better future for people through ethical sourcing of ingredients from biodiversity.

 

Our history

 
 
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1992

Countries adopt the Convention on Biological Diversity to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity, and to ensure fair and equitable benefit sharing

1996

To support CBD objectives, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) launches the BioTrade Initiative

2007

UEBT is born, following an UNCTAD initiative to promote business engagement in the ethical sourcing of biodiversity

2008

UEBT moves to independent offices and begins a formal partnership with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

2015

UEBT certification begins for natural ingredients and the joint UEBT/UTZ herbal tea certification program

 
 
 
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2018

UEBT launches its certification label.

2024

UEBT launches its Regenerative programme co-developed with members and partners

2019

UEBT celebrates 10 years of its Biodiversity Barometer that measures consumer awareness of biodiversity, and how this affects purchasing decisions

2020

UEBT publishes the Big Shift, a look at 10 lessons learned over 10 years of UEBT’s work

2021

UEBT launches Herbs & Spices Programme in collaboration with Rainforest Alliance

2022

UEBT publishes “Sourcing botanicals with respect for people & biodiversity” , a guidance on trends and good practices for companies sourcing botanicals