Fragrance and taste giant Firmenich is being recognized for its ethical sourcing principles worldwide. The company has become a member of the unio for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT), a non-profit association that promotes sourcing with respect. 

UEBT membership acknowledges that Firmenich has developed effective work plans for its supply chains on biodiversity, fair and equitable benefit sharing, local development and labor rights.

Firmenich has set clear targets for 2030 on sourcing with respect for people and biodiversity. 

“With UEBT, we designed and agreed on a clear work plan for the next three years,” explains Boet Brinkgreve, president, ingredients at Firmenich. 

“Our objective is to drive continuous improvement toward the local producers in our value chains and ensure proper risk management systems across our natural sourcing portfolio.” 

Through the collaboration, Firmenich wants to achieve certification for a large number of its critical ingredients by 2030.

“By integrating biodiversity protection in all our natural sourcing from 50 countries, we are making a real difference to people, planet and society, and offering our customers the highest quality, sustainably sourced, natural raw materials,” says Gilbert Ghostine, CEO Firmenich. 

Guided by UEBT principles
UEBT is recognized for setting high standards and working with companies on biodiversity, making the partnership a key milestone for Firmenich’s 2030 ESG objectives on responsible sourcing. 

As a precondition to becoming a global UEBT member, Firmenich’s biodiversity policy commitments and its responsible sourcing system were assessed by UEBT in accordance with its principles.

“A solid implementation strategy is currently being rolled out by Firmenich to ensure these targets are met and positive impact is created for people and biodiversity,” comments Rik Kutsch Lojenga, executive director of UEBT. 

“With Firmenich group joining UEBT, it is committing to continuous improvement with a focus on local sourcing practices in its responsible sourcing due diligence system and supplier support program.” 

Building on steps toward sustainable
In 2021, Firmenich also became the first company in the world to achieve the newly launched UEBT Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) Due Diligence Verification, wherby UEBT examined the system Firmenich uses to comply with rules linked to the Nagoya Protocol on ABS. 

ABS ensures that the benefits arising from biodiversity-based research and development are shared in a fair and equitable way, including through sustainable practices and collaboration with local communities.

As part of its Naturals Together platform, Firmenich builds its leadership in Naturals on three pillars: sustainable procurement standards, collections of certified ingredients with strong involvement at source, as well as innovation. 

Further to Firmenich’s ambitions for sourcing with respect for people and biodiversity, the company has made strides in sustainability. 

In 2019, Firmenich and Global Compact Network Switzerland jointly hosted a critical dialogue on climate action with Ambassador de Alba, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the 2019 Climate Action Summit.