About Friend of the Earth
Who we are
Friend of the Earth is a project of the World Sustainability Organization, an international organisation working through certification programmes, conservation initiatives and public awareness.
Founded by Paolo Bray in 2016 and based in Italy, Friend of the Earth operates internationally. The programme began with standards for agriculture and livestock farming and has expanded into additional products, materials, supply chains and services.
Through published requirements and independent assessment, Friend of the Earth provides organisations with a framework for demonstrating conformity within a defined certification scope. It also helps buyers and the public understand what a certification covers and how to verify its current status.
Our mission
Our mission is to support the protection of ecosystems, biodiversity, soil and water resources through certification requirements,conservation initiatives and public awareness.
We connect producers, brands, certification bodies, technical specialists, conservation partners and the public. Our aim is to encourage measurable practices, clear evidence and informed decisions across the activities covered by each standard.
How we work
We develop standards and assessment requirements for defined products, production systems, materials, organisations and services.
Independent certification bodies assess applicants against the requirements applicable to the requested scope and make certification decisions. Certification applies only to the products, sites, processes, services or supply chains identified in the certificate. It does not automatically cover an entire company or product range.
Ecosystem and biodiversity conservation
Alongside certification, Friend of the Earth supports awareness campaigns and conservation initiatives concerning species, habitats and ecosystems.
These activities are separate from certification assessments. Participation in or support for a conservation project does not by itself establish that a product, service or organisation is certified.
Public awareness
We provide information about our standards, certification scope and the meaning of the Friend of the Earth label.
We encourage consumers, buyers and business partners to read the claim accompanying the label, identify the Friend of the Earth ID and check the certification directory for the current status and scope.
What our programme covers
Friend of the Earth began with agriculture and farming and now addresses a broader range of products, materials, operations and services.
Current programme areas include:
· agriculture and crop production;
· livestock and poultry farming;
· honey and insect farming;
· fashion and textiles;
· furniture and interior products;
· packaging;
· land-based nutraceuticals;
· plant-based alternative proteins;
· mining and tobacco leaf curing;
· events and selected organisational or service programmes; and
· chain of custody and traceability.
Each standard defines its own certifiable scope and requirements. Depending on the programme, requirements may address ecosystem protection, biodiversity, soil and water management, permitted substances, emissions, waste, energy use, animal welfare, traceability, worker health and safety, and labour rights.
Meeting one Friend of the Earth standard does not establish
conformity with every Friend of the Earth programme
Independent assessment
Certification bodies carry out assessments against the applicable Friend of the Earth standard and make certification decisions within the approved certification process.
Applicants must provide the records and evidence required for their scope. Where non-conformities are identified, they must be addressed according to the applicable procedure before certification can be granted or
maintained.
The public verification directory allows users to check available certification information, including the organisation, Friend of the Earth ID, certified scope and current status.
Our story
Friend of the Earth was founded by Paolo Bray in 2016 as a World Sustainability Organization project.
The programme initially focused on agriculture and livestock farming. Its agricultural framework was developed with reference to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems guidelines.
As new standards and programmes were developed, Friend of the Earth expanded into other products, materials, supply chains and services. Agriculture and farming remain central to the programme, alongside requirements addressing traceability and other defined environmental and social topics.
Our reach
To date, Friend of the Earth has certified more than 5,000 farms.
This reach includes farms operating across different agricultural and livestock-production systems. Depending on the applicable standard, certification may cover crop production, livestock, poultry, honey or other defined farming activities.
Friend of the Earth also works with processors and brands where chain of custody and traceability requirements are needed to connect certified primary production with eligible processed or finished products.
Every certificate identifies the specific farm, site, product, process or supply-chain scope covered. The current status and scope should therefore be checked through the Friend of the Earth verification directory.
How we are governed
Friend of the Earth operates within the World Sustainability Organization’s governance structure.
Our governance information explains how organisational oversight, technical input, standard development and stakeholder participation are managed. Separate information is provided on the development and revision of standards, public consultation and routes for submitting feedback.
Our work and reporting
World Sustainability Organization annual reports provide information about the organisation’s activities during each reporting period, including Friend of the Earth certification and conservation work.
• Friend of the Earth brochure Checklist
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
For Friend of the Earth, relevant subjects may include food production, water, working conditions, production practices, terrestrial ecosystems and partnerships. The assessment is WSO’s analysis of its activities and areas for improvement. It does not constitute United Nations endorsement, approval or certification.
Get involved
Explore the certification programme relevant to your organisation, check the status and scope of a certification, or learn about Friend of the Earth conservation initiatives
