Preferred by Nature

Sustainability Certification Servicespreferredbynature.org

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

Sustainability certification services
Forest management certification
Supply chain advisory
Sustainability training programs
EUDR compliance services

Where Preferred by Nature is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

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 offering

Core 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 profile

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Preferred by Nature technology and API

Technology

Technology 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 signal

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

Musim MascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025Five-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.
FerrerocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025Five-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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025NGO partner in the five-year Rokan Hulu Landscape and Livelihoods Initiative, contributing expertise in sustainable agriculture practices and farmer support programs.
AgriterracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025NGO 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 assessment

Emerging 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 compliance and trust

Trust signal

Compliance1 record

Preferred by Nature financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Preferred by Nature leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Preferred by Nature funding detail

Funding detail

Funding 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 investment

M&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?

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.