The Preferred by Nature Sustainability Framework Certification
The Preferred by Nature Sustainability Framework Certification is a third-party certification system designed to help organisations demonstrate responsible sourcing and sustainable production practices. Building on Preferred by Nature’s experience in legality verification and due diligence, the framework covers a broader range of environmental, social and governance requirements, together with traceability and supply-chain due diligence. It can be applied through different certification scopes, including sustainable land management, chain of custody and due diligence systems, and includes specific tools and requirements to support companies subject to the EUDR.
Preferred by Nature Sustainability Framework Certification
Preferred by Nature is an international non-profit organisation working to support responsible land management, sourcing and supply chains.
The Preferred by Nature Sustainability Framework Certification provides a third-party certification framework covering environmental, social and governance requirements, responsible sourcing, traceability and due diligence. Its scope goes beyond timber legality and provides a broader framework for assessing sustainability and responsible sourcing practices.
The certification programme is built around complementary standards. The PBN-01 Sustainability Framework establishes the core sustainability principles and requirements. The PBN-03 Due Diligence Standard for Product Conformance establishes requirements for supplier management and due diligence, while the PBN-05 Chain of Custody Standard provides requirements for maintaining the identification and traceability of materials through the supply chain.
Preferred by Nature and the EUDR
Preferred by Nature has integrated EUDR-specific requirements into its certification and due diligence framework. Its Due Diligence System Certification combines due diligence requirements with an EUDR-specific module, providing companies with a structured approach to information collection, supplier management, risk assessment and risk mitigation.
Preferred by Nature also provides a Due Diligence Toolkit to help companies map their supply chains, gather information, identify risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
These tools and certification requirements can provide structured information and independent assurance to support due diligence, but certification does not replace the legal responsibility of companies to comply with the EUDR or other regulations applicable to them.
What happened to LegalSource?
LegalSource™ is no longer an active certification programme. Preferred by Nature transitioned LegalSource certificate holders to its broader certification programme based on the Sustainability Framework. Preferred by Nature explains this transition in its official announcement, LegalSource transition to Preferred by Nature Certification.
Since 30 December 2024, LegalSource certificates are considered invalid and LegalSource claims can no longer be used. Companies should therefore refer to the current Preferred by Nature certification programme and the applicable certification scope, rather than looking for a current LegalSource certificate.