Driving the Illegal Wildlife Trade Certification into the Digital Era

In the fight against illegal wildlife trade, speed, precision and reach matter. The challenges are complex and constantly evolving, which is why the tools we use to drive action must be as advanced as the threats we face. At ECO, we believe that credible certifications are not just about setting high standards but also about ensuring those standards can be implemented, monitored and scaled across industries and borders. The scale and sophistication of illegal wildlife trade (IWT) continue to shift, with traffickers adapting routes and methods to exploit gaps in regulation and enforcement, making verifiable, operational controls essential rather than optional. UNODC

That is why we are excited to announce our partnership with Envosus. Their tip-of-the-spear sustainability program management technology allows organisations to integrate our Illegal Wildlife Trade Certification into their operations seamlessly. By digitising the certification journey, Envosus enables real-time tracking, structured compliance workflows, and evidence-based reporting that strengthens accountability and transparency. Within the ECO program, the Envosus supports AI‑guided tasks, structured registers, mandatory training, and assessment-ready documentation, reducing manual effort while improving auditability and speed to compliance.

The ECO Illegal Wildlife Trade Certification is grounded in the principles of the United for Wildlife Buckingham Palace Declaration and shaped by our NGO Advisory Council, which consists of leading organisations such as United for Wildlife, TRAFFIC, Wildlife Conservation Society, Environmental Investigation Agency International, WWF-UK, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Panthera and Impact For Wildlife. Our standards are reviewed by experts from across conservation, law enforcement and industry, and are designed to help organisations eliminate wildlife trafficking from their supply and value chains while protecting biodiversity. The Buckingham Palace Declaration, signed in March 2016 by transport leaders, sets out 11 practical commitments including zero‑tolerance, staff training, data and risk‑screening, and secure information‑sharing with customs and law enforcement.

With Envosus as a partner, these standards are brought to life in a digital environment that empowers organisations to not only adopt but sustain compliance. Technology plays a critical role in making credible certifications scalable, measurable and resilient against evolving criminal tactics. This partnership ensures that businesses have the tools they need to take meaningful, verifiable action in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade. Importantly, certification complements, not replaces, legal requirements such as CITES permitting and national wildlife laws. It operationalises policies into day‑to‑day controls, training, and reporting that help organisations meet regulatory expectations and share intelligence responsibly.

Together, ECO and Envosus are combining world-class conservation expertise with cutting-edge digital delivery to protect wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on. To reinforce transparency and trust, ECO maintains a public certification registry and requires independent reassessments every two years, so progress is verified, not assumed.

What this means for your organisation at a glance:

• Faster, clearer implementation: Digitised workflows, evidence capture, and audit‑ready reporting streamline certification readiness.

• Stronger alignment with industry action: Standards map to the Buckingham Palace (transport) and Mansion House (financial) commitments for practical, cross‑sector impact.

• Compliance that holds up under scrutiny: Independent, periodic assessments and a public registry support accountability with customers, regulators and investors. 

  
  

Why this matters now: 

UNODC’s latest World Wildlife Crime analysis shows how traffickers pivot rapidly, underscoring the need for real‑time monitoring, trained staff, and robust information‑sharing to close exploitation pathways. 

Turn standards into action today by scheduling a demo of Envosus and exploring how to embed IWT controls across your operations.

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