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.

UEBT certification and uses of the label on-product

UEBT offers two types of certification.

The certification of ethical sourcing systems (ESS): allows brands to use the label on-pack.
The certification of specific natural ingredients: allows brands to use the label with the name of the certified ingredient on top, off-pack. Producers and traders may use the label on B2B packagings.

Certified companies receive and must follow the UEBT claims policy and can access our marketing toolkit to help them communicate in a meaningful way about their achievement. These resources also give examples of how the mark may be used.

Companies join UEBT as a member before they engage in the certification process. Visit our certification page for more details.

1-UEBT certification label for ESS certification

2-UEBT certification label for ingredient certification

In the case of ingredient certification, the label is used with the specific ingredient name above the label so that the certified content is clear and the claim is not misleading.

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 ethical sourcing system certification) to underscore their commitment to ethical sourcing. This shows their customers that they are committed to ‘sourcing with respect.’ Since the certification is of the ethical sourcing system or 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:

For more information on working with UEBT see our certification page or write to: certification@uebt.org