UEBT/Rainforest Alliance herbs and spices programme

The UEBT schemes include a third-party auditing process. Preferred by Nature is an accredited independent third-party evaluation body that has adhered to the UEBT certification requirements. As such, we can offer our commitment and expertise to carry out the UEBT certification procedure.

The process usually covers the following steps:

The certificate issued by UEBT remains valid for one year. Once the validity period ends, you need to be reassessed to renew your certificate.

As UEBT offers three certification programmes, you can have the UEBT/Rainforest Alliance Herbs & Spices Programme certification held in conjunction with:

Ethical Sourcing System certification
The certification is for businesses that source ingredients from biodiversity through a system that respects people and nature. It is a set of policies and procedures that promote innovation and sourcing practices for natural raw materials in line with the UEBT standard.

UEBT member companies with a certified ethical sourcing system may display the UEBT certification mark on products and packaging according to the UEBT Claims and Labelling Policy. 

Ingredient certification
The certification evaluates whether an ingredient is sourced with respect for people and biodiversity. This applies to a specific ingredient, including flowers, fruits, herbs, algae, seeds, stems, nuts, spices, roots, leaves, resins, beeswax and barks.

Businesses that hold the UEBT ingredient certification may display the UEBT certification label for ingredients on the certified ingredient's packaging.

Wider sustainability service choice

We are a certification body approved to conduct audits for a number of certification programmes, including agricultural schemes, such as: 

• Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard (RA SAS) Farm and Supply Chain certification
• GLOBALG.A.P. fruit and vegetables certification
• GLOBALG.A.P. chain of custody certification
• Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Supply Chain Certification (SCC) and Principle & Criteria (P&C) certification
• Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP)
• Starbucks® C.A.F.E. Practices

Our work includes the development of practical solutions to drive positive impacts in production landscapes and supply chains. We do this through innovative projects, capacity building and sustainability services. 

We have created a universal framework to ensure big and small companies can optimise their positive impact. Our Sustainability Framework can put any business on the right path - from legal compliance to best practices. Depending on the location in the supply chain, companies can use the framework in different ways. 

While highlighting the high-risk areas that need attention, the Sustainability Framework helps businesses filter out low-risk indicators to target their efforts where they will make the most significant impact.
 

• Expertise. Preferred by Nature is an international non-profit organisation working to support better land management and business practices that benefit people, nature and the climate in 100+ countries. For over 25 years, we have been working to foster sustainable land use and responsible trade in forest commodities. We have certified over 2 million hectares of agriculture land and over 800,000 farmers. Our clients include retailers, food producers and traders, multinational multi-site and group certificate holders, as well as small companies and smallholders.
• Focus on customer experience. We keep you up to speed on the certification requirements and we take pride in providing clear and full answers to your questions as per our role as a certification body. 
• Industry insight. We cater to companies of all sizes and from all business sectors along the supply chain. For any line of business and company setup, we possess insight into the specific options and challenges of certification that apply to your organisation.
• Local presence, global reach. With staff located in over 40 countries across the globe and backed by an extensive global network of experts, we cater to companies worldwide. 
• Wider service choice. We offer a wide range of additional services to support your sustainability efforts such as to measure your carbon emission or choose responsible packaging for your products.  
• The non-profit factor. We are mission driven. This is reflected in our focus on quality, information sharing and capacity building.

Choose UEBT certification and take advantage of these benefits.

	Help protect the environment. UEBT certification was developed to address the global demand that ingredients are sourced from biodiversity through a system that respects people and nature. With UEBT certification, you assure customers that their choice helps conserve the environment.
	Access new markets and customers. As more and more consumers switch their support to businesses that practice ethical sourcing of ingredients from biodiversity, you can show your dedication to sourcing with respect through the UEBT certification.
	Enhanced visibility and branding opportunities. UEBT certification allows consumers to choose brands, products and ingredients that contribute to a world in which all people and biodiversity thrive.
	Improved quality and management systems. Many certified companies have found that the certification process brings unexpected benefits, such as cost savings.
	Join a larger responsible community. UEBT members are committed companies involved in natural ingredient supply chains in the food, cosmetics and natural pharmaceutical sectors. These members adhere to the UEBT standard to assure consumers that their products are made with ingredients sourced with respect for people and biodiversity.