Preferred by Nature
Preferred by Nature is a Denmark-based non-profit founded in 1994 that delivers sustainability certification (FSC, PEFC, RSPO, Rainforest Alliance), EUDR compliance, advisory, and training services to 5,500+ companies across 100+ countries via 28 offices.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersÅbyhøj, Denmark
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Preferred by Nature does
Preferred by Nature is a Denmark-headquartered non-profit organization founded in 1994 that delivers sustainability certification, advisory, and training services for land management and supply chains. It operates as an accredited assurance body for major international schemes including FSC, PEFC, RSPO, Rainforest Alliance, and the Sustainable Rice Platform, and issues its own proprietary Preferred by Nature Seal for verified sustainable production. The organization reports serving 5,500+ companies and organizations across 100+ countries, supported by 350+ staff, 28 offices, and a presence in 40+ countries. Its portfolio also includes EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) compliance services, carbon footprint and ecosystem restoration certifications, sustainability advisory consulting, and expert training courses delivered through the LearnUpon platform.
The business model is fee-for-service across three streams: certification services (audits and certificate issuance across 20+ schemes), training services (e.g., FSC Chain of Custody Expert Course priced at 2,400 EUR per seat with structured NGO and early-bird discounts), and sustainability advisory consulting (policy, strategy, and regulatory compliance support). Go-to-market is sales-led via direct client engagement through regional offices, website contact channels, and multi-language digital presence. Customer segments span Corporate/Business, NGO, and Public Institutions. Revenue is supplemented by grant-funded multi-stakeholder initiatives; for example, the 2025 Rokan Hulu Landscape and Livelihoods Initiative in Indonesia is funded by Denmark's Danida Green Business Partnerships Programme with Musim Mas, Ferrero, SAN, and Agriterra as partners.
Digital infrastructure supporting service delivery includes the Client Portal for certificate management, a public Certificate Database, a Sourcing Hub for supply chain sustainability decisions, a Knowledge Hub for free educational resources, and a 20+ language website. Technology stack signals include Salesforce as CRM (with a dedicated Senior Salesforce Team Lead). The organization has no public revenue disclosures, no subsidiaries, and no parent entity, and operates as an independent mission-driven non-profit with a 2024-2028 strategic plan centered on scaling sustainable practices, strategic positioning, and organizational strengthening.
Preferred by Nature firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Preferred by Nature
- Legal name
- Preferred by Nature
- Website
- https://preferredbynature.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Preferred by Nature is a Denmark-based non-profit founded in 1994 that delivers sustainability certification (FSC, PEFC, RSPO, Rainforest Alliance), EUDR compliance, advisory, and training services to 5,500+ companies across 100+ countries via 28 offices.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Preferred by Nature industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainability Certification Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)
- SIC
- Forestry (800), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainable Forest Certification & Chain-of-Custody Services (FSC/PEFC/SFI) (IMAMAJAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Forest Certification, Compliance & Chain-of-Custody Support (AFAMAAAH), Forest Carbon Projects & Ecosystem Services (Carbon Credits, Biodiversity) (IMAMAAAJ), Carbon Accounting, Verification & Registry Services (MRV, Audits, Certification) (IMAMAJAE), Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES) (IMAMAJAK), Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI)
Keywords
Where Preferred by Nature is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Åbyhøj
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Preferred by Nature business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Certification Services: Revenue generated from conducting audits and issuing certifications for various sustainability schemes including FSC, PEFC, RSPO, Rainforest Alliance, and others. Fees are based on certification scope and audit requirements.
- Training Services: Revenue from delivering expert courses, seminars, and training programs on certification schemes and sustainability topics. Course fees range from 2,400 EUR for expert courses with discounts for NGOs and early registration.
- Sustainability Advisory Services: Consulting services helping businesses develop sustainability policies, strategies, and implementation plans. Supports EU Deforestation Regulation compliance and due diligence requirements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | FSC Chain of Custody Expert Course - Standard |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | FSC Chain of Custody Expert Course - Early Bird |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | NGO/FSC Network Partner/Academic Discount |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Preferred by Nature product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Preferred by Nature is a global non-profit organization that delivers third-party sustainability certification audits across multiple international schemes (FSC, PEFC, RSPO, Rainforest Alliance, SRP, and 20+ others), issues the proprietary Preferred by Nature Seal for verified sustainable production, and provides sustainability advisory and training services. It also offers EU Deforestation Regulation compliance support, supply chain due diligence tools, and expert training courses. Services are delivered through a global network of 28 offices with 350+ staff in 40+ countries, working with 5,500+ companies and organizations.
Product overview
Preferred by Nature is a global non-profit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of sustainability certification services, advisory solutions, and educational resources. The core offering centers on the Preferred by Nature Certification program with the associated Seal, supplemented by third-party scheme certifications (FSC, PEFC, RSPO, Rainforest Alliance, SRP, Bonsucro, and others). The portfolio includes specialized services such as EU Deforestation Regulation compliance support, sustainability advisory consulting, and expert training courses. Digital platforms support the ecosystem through the Client Portal for certificate management, Certificate Database for public verification, Knowledge Hub for free educational resources, and Sourcing Hub for supply chain sustainability decisions. The organization operates across 100+ countries with 28 offices and staff in 40+ countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Preferred by Nature Certification
- FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certification
- PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification)
- RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) Certification
- Rainforest Alliance Certification
- Sustainable Travel Programme
- Carbon Footprint Certification
- Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) Certification
- Ecosystem Restoration Certification
- Sustainability Advisory Services
- EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) Services
- Training Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 979,000+ farmers, workers and land managers assured their well-being, human rights and cultural heritage are protected
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Preferred by Nature
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Preferred by Nature technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Preferred by Nature partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Musim MascoreFive-year partnership in the Rokan Hulu Landscape and Livelihoods Initiative to advance sustainable palm oil production in Indonesia. The project aims to support 5,400 independent smallholders in adopting regenerative agricultural practices, help 2,500 farmers achieve RSPO and ISPO certification, and create diversified income opportunities for 2,000 community members.
- FerrerocoreFive-year partnership in the Rokan Hulu Landscape and Livelihoods Initiative. Ferrero joins as a corporate partner to support sustainable palm oil production and ensure compliance with EU Deforestation Regulation.
- SAN (Sustainable Agriculture Network)coreNGO partner in the five-year Rokan Hulu Landscape and Livelihoods Initiative, contributing expertise in sustainable agriculture practices and farmer support programs.
- AgriterracoreNGO partner in the five-year initiative, providing agricultural expertise and supporting farmer organizations in Indonesia.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Preferred by Nature competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- EarthCheck: Sustainable tourism certification provider, overlapping with Preferred by Nature's newly GSTC-accredited Sustainable Travel Programme. Comparable target market and sustainability-assurance model within the tourism vertical.
- EcoVadis: Sustainability ratings platform serving enterprise procurement teams. Overlaps with Preferred by Nature's advisory and EUDR positioning but delivers assessment via a SaaS model rather than on-site audits.
Direct peers
- Rainforest Alliance: International non-profit running its own sustainability certification scheme (with UTZ) for tropical commodities. Competes with Preferred by Nature for accreditation work, particularly in cocoa, coffee, and palm oil.
- SCS Global Services: Third-party certification body running FSC, PEFC, and sustainable agriculture programs. Closely comparable in scheme coverage, audit model, and customer base to Preferred by Nature.
- Control Union: Global certification body offering sustainability audits and certifications across forestry, agriculture, and textile supply chains. Direct competitor in FSC/PEFC and supply-chain assurance with overlapping client base and similar multi-scheme model.
- GUTcert: Germany-based certification body accredited for FSC, PEFC, and various sustainability schemes. Direct competitor in European certification market with comparable scheme breadth and similar customer profile.
Broad incumbents
- DNV: Norwegian-headquartered certification and assurance body expanding in sustainability, climate, and supply-chain services. Overlaps with Preferred by Nature on sustainability assurance for enterprise buyers.
- SGS: World's largest testing, inspection, and certification company. Operates in forest products and sustainability assurance but as part of a broad TIC portfolio that spans commodities, food, and consumer goods.
- TÜV SÜD: German certification body providing sustainability audits, forestry certification, and supply-chain assurance. Competes for enterprise certification work with the strength of a broad TIC brand.
- Bureau Veritas: Global TIC services provider with sustainability and supply-chain certification offerings. Serves similar enterprise clients in agri-food and forest products, but with much broader service breadth.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Preferred by Nature social profiles
Digital presencePreferred by Nature compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Preferred by Nature financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Preferred by Nature leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
Preferred by Nature funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Preferred by Nature M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Preferred by Nature
What does Preferred by Nature do?
Preferred by Nature is a global non-profit organization that delivers third-party sustainability certification audits across multiple international schemes (FSC, PEFC, RSPO, Rainforest Alliance, SRP, and 20+ others), issues the proprietary Preferred by Nature Seal for verified sustainable production, and provides sustainability advisory and training services. It also offers EU Deforestation Regulation compliance support, supply chain due diligence tools, and expert training courses. Services are delivered through a global network of 28 offices with 350+ staff in 40+ countries, working with 5,500+ companies and organizations.
Is Preferred by Nature a public or private company?
Preferred by Nature is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Preferred by Nature founded?
Preferred by Nature was founded in 1994. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Preferred by Nature based?
Preferred by Nature is headquartered in Åbyhøj, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Preferred by Nature make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Certification Services are the primary driver. The others are training Services and sustainability Advisory Services.
Who are Preferred by Nature's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are EarthCheck and EcoVadis. Direct peers are Rainforest Alliance, SCS Global Services, Control Union and GUTcert. Broad incumbents are DNV, SGS, TÜV SÜD and Bureau Veritas.
Does Preferred by Nature have an API?
No public API is recorded for Preferred by Nature.
What industry is Preferred by Nature in?
Preferred by Nature's product category is Sustainability Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAMAJAJ, Sustainable Forest Certification & Chain-of-Custody Services (FSC/PEFC/SFI), with a secondary code of AFAMAAAH, Forest Certification, Compliance & Chain-of-Custody Support. Its NAICS code is 1153 and its SIC code is 800.