Launched in October 2007, the Union for Ethical BioTrade is a non-profit association that promotes the 'Sourcing with Respect' of ingredients that come from native biodiversity. Such ingredients include ingredients that are either collected from the wild or cultivated for harvesting in the area where they are naturally distributed. The term “native” applies to species collected or produced in their original distribution areas.
Members of the Union for Ethical BioTrade commit to gradually ensuring that their sourcing practices promote the conservation of biodiversity, respect traditional knowledge and assure the equitable sharing of benefits all along the supply chain. They do so by adhering to the Ethical BioTrade Verification Framework. This framework guides members towards compliance with the Principles and Criteria of Ethical BioTrade. Once members comply with the Union’s verification framework membership of the Union will be conditional upon continuous compliance with the Verification Framework.
| Sub-Category |
Private Sector
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| Standard for |
native natural ingredients (either collected from the wild or cultivated for harvesting in the area where they are naturally distributed.
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| Focus |
ensure that sourcing practices promote the conservation of biodiversity, respect traditional knowledge and assure the equitable sharing of benefits all along the supply chain
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| Structure |
The Verification Framework includes 9 clauses that are minimum indicators (see bullet points in the list below). The minimum indicators apply to all native and non-native species used as raw materials by the organization, be it a producer or a buyer. The member’s own operations will need to comply with the minimum criteria from the onset, including any supply chain that is fully owned/controlled by the company. The company shall also gradually ensure that the minimum requirements are fulfilled along the supply chains of its external providers, initially for native species, and then for all raw material procurement. For native species, the minimum requirements shall be met by the external providers within a maximum of 2 years.
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| Conformity Requirements |
Principles including minimum indicators for each principle:
- Conservation of biodiversity
- There are no processes to either convert natural habitats to agricultural systems or natural forest to other productive systems.
- The organization does not introduce alien species into natural habitats being managed
- Sustainable use of biodiversity
- The organization does not use pesticides banned under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), that fall under WHO Categories I and II and/or are listed in the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade.
- Fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of biodiversity
- There are no disputes related to the use of biodiversity and traditional knowledge of substantial magnitude involving a significant number of interests
- The organization avoids immoral transactions in business relations according to international covenants, national law and practices ( OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprise and UN Convention on Contract for the Sale of Goods)
- Socio-economic sustainability (productive, financial and market management)
- The organization is currently profitable or has a viable business plan to become so
- Compliance with national and international legislation
- Respect for the rights of actors involved in BioTrade activities
- The organization takes measures to ensure the respect for human rights and there is no evidence of non-respect, nor of restrictive/discriminatory policies or practices
- The organization provides adequate housing where required by workers and potable water to all workers
- Clarity about land tenure, right of use and access to natural resources
- There are no disputes on land tenure and access of substantial magnitude involving a significant number of interests
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| Auditing System |
A third party audit should verify this on-going compliance every 3 years, while the organization will self-report annually in the intervening years.
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| Geographic Focus |
Global
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| Website |
http://www.uebt.ch/
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