Application for Membership
The membership application process is different for the three membership categories.
Trading members
5 steps towards membership.
The membership application process consists of the following 5 steps. For more information, please check the procedure on the Application process for Trading Members – PRO10 – Membership Application Process for Trading Members.
Step 1.
Prospective trading members are required to submit an application form to the UEBT Secretariat. By submitting the membership application form, the Applicant commits to the UEBT's membership conditions and obligations.
Step 2.
The application form will be reviewed by UEBT's Membership Committee, which will check if the applicant is eligible for membership. Applicants need to pay a registration fee, which serves as down payment for their 1st year of membership fees. Eligible Applicants are given the Approved Candidate status and are invited to continue with step 3.
Step 3.
Within six months of being awarded the Approved Candidate status, the candidate must undergo an independent third party audit by one of the Verification Bodies qualified by the UEBT. In addition to assessing compliance with the baseline requirements for membership (Minimum indicators), the audit will provide a gap analysis outlining the issues that need to be addressed to achieve full compliance with the UEBT Verification Framework.
Step 4.
Assuming the audit confirms that the Approved Candidate meets the baseline requirements for membership (Minimum indicators), the Approved Candidate will be granted Provisional Member status. The Provisional Member is then required to prepare a work-plan that leads the organisation towards compliance with the UEBT Verification Framework. The work-plan needs to be approved by the Verification Body.
Step 5.
Submission to the UEBT Secretariat of the full and public audit report, and of the work-plan (where necessary, a public version). The public documents are evaluated and approved by UEBT, based on which, Membership status is granted.
Maintaining membership status
Trading Members will maintain their membership status as long as the annual membership fee is paid and they can show progress in the implementation of their work-plans via annual reports, in line with the procedures established by UEBT, which are the Conditions and Obligations for trading members.
Affiliate members
Prospective affiliate members can obtain membership in 2 steps.
Step 1.
Prospective Affiliate Members are required to fill in an application form and submit it to the Secretariat. By submitting the membership application form, the applicant commits to the Union's membership conditions. Affiliate Members need to indicate if they comply with the minimum requirements of Ethical BioTrade, and show how they will implement these commitments before being accepted as a member of UEBT.
Step 2.
Revision of the application by the UEBT Membership Committee. If the application is approved, membership status will be granted upon payment of the first year of membership fees.
Maintaining membership status
Affiliate members will be required to submit periodic updates on their activities in support of the Principles and Criteria of Ethical BioTrade, as well as paying their annual membership fees.
