In a milestone moment for the global wellness industry, doTERRA, one of the world’s largest essential oil companies, has officially joined the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT). This membership places doTERRA within a network of companies recognized for sourcing that respects both people and the planet.
For years, doTERRA has marketed its Co-Impact Sourcing® approach as a model of sustainability and social responsibility. Now, philosophy gains independent validation through UEBT, a respected non-profit organization that monitors and guides ethical practices in biodiversity-based businesses.
Founded in 2007, UEBT is a globally recognized initiative that promotes “sourcing with respect” for biodiversity, local communities, and ethical business conduct.
UEBT’s mission is grounded in three core pillars:
It’s not merely a certification; it’s a continuous improvement framework. Members like Natura, Weleda, and L’Oréal are required to adhere to evolving standards and undergo periodic evaluations to maintain compliance.
Modern consumers are increasingly conscious of where their ingredients come from. In an era where “greenwashing,” misleading claims of sustainability are rampant, third-party validation from organizations like UEBT has become a hallmark of authenticity.
doTERRA’s inclusion demonstrates an externally verified commitment to ethical sourcing, signaling that the company is moving beyond marketing language to measurable action.
At the heart of doTERRA’s supply chain lies its Co-Impact Sourcing® mode,l a program designed to improve lives and ecosystems simultaneously. Operating across more than 40 countries, it emphasizes partnership, empowerment, and traceability.
Co-Impact Sourcing connects doTERRA directly with farmers, harvesters, and distillers in some of the world’s most resource-rich yet economically challenged regions, from lavender fields in Bulgaria to frankincense forests in Somalia.
Through long-term contracts, fair wages, and training initiatives, doTERRA aims to elevate rural communities while maintaining high-quality essential oil production.
doTERRA’s sourcing strategy aligns with the triple bottom line philosophy:
In theory, this model positions doTERRA as a bridge between profit and purpose, an increasingly vital balance in today’s conscious consumer market.
doTERRA’s first public appearance as a UEBT member came during the 2025 UEBT “Sourcing with Respect” Conference in Amsterdam, an event focused on ethical trade and biodiversity.
The company participated as both a member and a thought leader, discussing challenges and best practices for ethical sourcing in complex global supply chains.
Taylor MacKay, Vice President of Strategic Sourcing at doTERRA, emphasized the company’s human-centered mission:
“From the fields to the communities, we strive to create lasting, positive impact.”
Meanwhile, Rik Kutsch Lojenga, Executive Director of UEBT, welcomed the partnership:
“doTERRA has committed to sourcing with respect. We look forward to working with them on this journey.”
Their joint message was clear: ethical sourcing isn’t a finish line; it’s a continuous process of accountability and collaboration.
Joining UEBT is not about earning a seal of approval. It’s about joining a global movement committed to transparency and mutual learning.
The membership required doTERRA to complete a desktop review of its sourcing systems and submit a work plan outlining how it will strengthen biodiversity and community impact over time.
The Work Plan for Continuous Improvement
This plan includes goals such as:
While still in its early stages, this framework will be monitored by UEBT, ensuring that progress is real and reportable.
doTERRA’s UEBT membership arrives at a crucial moment. The company has faced past criticism related to its multi-level marketing (MLM) structure and unverified wellness claims.
By aligning with UEBT, doTERRA appears to be signaling a strategic ethical pivot, anchoring its brand reputation in measurable sustainability rather than marketing narratives.
This is not just reputational repair; it’s a potential long-term investment in credibility and trust.
Organizations like WWF, UNCTAD, and Deloitte have recognized UEBT as a legitimate mechanism for promoting equitable biotrade.
Research published in the Journal of Business Ethics (Pires & Herzog, 2022) and Biodiversity, Equity, and Biotrade (Laird et al., 2020) confirms that structured programs like UEBT significantly reduce ecological exploitation and improve community benefit-sharing.
Thus, doTERRA’s move aligns it with a scientifically supported ethical framework that goes beyond traditional corporate sustainability claims.
While commendable, doTERRA’s announcement isn’t without caveats.
So far, there are no published timelines, KPIs, or annual reports detailing progress on biodiversity restoration or economic outcomes.
The current desktop review process is preliminary; deeper on-the-ground verification by UEBT or independent auditors will be essential for maintaining legitimacy.
Strengthening Accountability through Measurable Impact
To truly embody ethical leadership, doTERRA will need to:
doTERRA’s membership could influence the entire essential oils and natural products industry, where sourcing transparency has long been a weak spot.
By joining UEBT, doTERRA joins a league of brands like:
This position does doTERRA as a bridge between smallholder agriculture and global consumer wellness, a narrative few direct-selling companies have achieved.
According to Wynberg (2019), ethical biotrade creates “mutual accountability between companies and communities.”
Deloitte’s 2023 Supply Chain Sustainability Report echoes this, emphasizing that companies must measure “not just carbon footprints, but human footprints.”
These insights underscore why UEBT membership is meaningful; it transforms sourcing from a transaction into a relationship.
doTERRA’s UEBT membership represents more than a badge; it’s a commitment to ethical transformation in the natural products industry.
While the journey is ongoing, the company’s willingness to open its sourcing practices to independent scrutiny marks a turning point in corporate accountability.
If followed by transparent reporting and measurable community impact, this partnership could redefine what it means to be a truly sustainable wellness brand.
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