Working groups
Supply chain assessments such as verification or certification play an important role in identifying issues, and understanding risks and impacts in places where ingredients are harvested.
However, on their own, these assessments often cannot solve deeply rooted problems. UEBT therefore also focuses on other ways to support companies, including joint action through sector-level working groups
Our working groups operate on a pre-competitive basis. They focus beyond the individual supply chain to build collaboration on landscape level issues such as local working conditions and ecosystem conservation.
A few of our active working groups or sector-focused inititiatives include:
Centella asiatica in Madagascar - sector based approach
Guaiac wood in Paraguay - working group
Carnauba wax in Brazil - working group (read more below)
Natural fragrance supply chains in India and Egypt - due diligence project
Initiative for Responsible Carnauba
The Initiative for Responsible Carnauba (IRC) is a UEBT-facilitated working group that is supporting local companies to improve conditions in Carnauba wax sourcing areas, while tackling social and environmental challenges. The goal is responsible Carnauba wax production that respects people and helps to regenerate biodiversity in the unique Caatinga biome of Brazil.
IRC members include businesses and civil society organisations, and the overall effort is to engage international companies to support improvements made by local wax processors. The IRC complements local and national efforts, including those led by Brazilian NGOs and the Brazilian government.