Sourcing for Good
Working Responsibly With Suppliers
Embracing Nature starts in our natural supply chain and we have been introducing positive practices with our most trusted suppliers for many years.
Sourcing responsibly has always been a critical element for all Firmenich buyers. In the past five years, we have created specialized programs to strengthen our responsible sourcing commitment, including our natural ingredients suppliers. As a result, we have transformed our governance with the launch of a new end-to-end Responsible Sourcing Steering Committee, sponsored by our Chief Purchasing Officer and coordinated by our Chief Sustainability Officer.
We work closely with our natural raw materials suppliers on how to best respect nature; and our new Responsible Sourcing Policy provides a guidance framework on biodiversity protection. The policy also guides how we structure our biodiversity management through our partnership with the Union for Ethical BioTrade, which audits biodiversity risks at field level.
Together with our suppliers on specific projects, we drive biodiversity regeneration. For instance, we co-invested in programs promoting forest restoration in Guatemala and regenerative agriculture practices for jasmine smallholders in India.
Learn More About Our Responsible Procurement
UEBT Membership
In 2014, our Center of Expertise of Naturals in Grasse became a member of the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT). In June 2021, we are proud to have achieved this step for the entire Group. Our UEBT acceptance is the result of a third-party assessment of our biodiversity policy commitments and responsible sourcing system in accordance with UEBT principles.
“With UEBT, we have designed & agreed on a clear work-plan for the next three years. Through this collaboration, we aim to achieve certification for a number of our critical ingredients by 2030.”
Boet Brinkgreve
President of Ingredients
Collective Actions
Addressing global challenges through Pathways to Positive
SBT FOR NATURE
Firmenich is playing an active role in the Science-Based Targets (SBT) for Nature corporate engagement, contributing to setting ambitious targets.
IFRA-IOFI
Firmenich is member of two IFRA & IOFI task forces: one on the Nagoya Protocol as Vice-Chair and one on Responsible Sourcing.
We contribute expertise and advocate reinforced common standards at industry level.
LIVELIHOODS FUNDS
BUSINESS FOR NATURE
In July 2020, we joined the Call to Action calling on governments to urgently adopt policies to reverse nature loss in this decade.
OP2B
As one of the founding members, we contribute to the OP2B mission, to encourage policy initiatives that transform current food and agriculture systems to better protect and restore biodiversity.
Embracing Nature
Nature gives us everything. It inspires our creations, supplies us with precious ingredients and drives our innovation.
