BEDO and Chulalongkorn University Award First B MARK Certifications, Advancing Thailand’s Sustainable Bioeconomy 

The Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (Public Organization), or BEDO, organized the “Biodiversity Resources and Market Opportunities Fair” on the 2^nd floor of Ratthaprasasanabhakti Building, The Government Complex Chaeng Watthana, on June 10, 2025, with Mr. Chalermchai Srion, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand, presiding over the opening event. The aim of the fair was to drive Thailand’s bioeconomy through responsible and sustainable utilization of biodiversity resources. The event also featured an announcement and presentation of the B MARK to entrepreneurs who prioritize biodiversity conservation while developing community economy. The products to be given the B MARK have been evaluated and certified by Chulalongkorn University’s Sustainable Environment Research Institute (SERI), as assigned by BEDO.

The “B MARK” certification 2025 was presented to 21 entrepreneurs from around the country, covering 85 products in total, all of which have undergone rigorous evaluation on their responsible use of natural resources, environmentally friendly production, and conservation-based returns to community. The evaluation of the qualifications of entrepreneurs was conducted by Chulalongkorn University’s Sustainable Environment Research Institute (SERI), with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pantawat Sampanpanish, Director of SERI, as the head of the project. The institute has played a significant role in designing, developing, and improving the B MARK assessment criteria to be modern, accurate, and truly capable of addressing sustainable development issues in the Thai context. 

The B MARK certification is therefore not merely a product certification label but a systematic mechanism that helps strengthen the sustainable bioeconomy. The evaluation is conducted according to BEDO’s 3 core principles:

1. valuable utilization of biodiversity resources and local wisdom 
2. environmentally friendly production 
3. return of revenue to conserve and restore local ecosystems.

Additionally, the event featured exhibitions of B MARK certified products and services along with market potential enhancement activities such as business matching, experts’ seminars, and demonstrations of local wisdom from communities nationwide. 

Mrs. Suwanna Tiansuwan, board member and Secretary (Director General) of BEDO, said “The B MARK certification is a crucial mechanism for driving Thailand’s bioeconomy model under the BEDO-BCG framework and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). BEDO has collaborated with an academic institution with expertise like SERI to develop rigorous criteria and highly credible assessment processes. We believe that ‘generating income alongside conservation is the heart of sustainable development’ and ‘B MARK is the tangible, practical answer.'” 

Mrs. Suwanna also added that “in the selection and evaluation process, the research team conducted field visits to interview, collect data, and examine resources, production processes, and impacts occurring in surrounding communities to ensure accurate and transparent assessment results that build confidence for both entrepreneurs and consumers.” 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pantawat Sampanpanish, Director of Chulalongkorn University’s Sustainable Environment Research Institute (SERI), explained the role of the research that “Our mission is to elevate the standards of B MARK criteria to truly reflect the comprehensive picture of ‘conscientious utilization of biodiversity resources.'” We have improved the assessment tools to be more comprehensive, emphasizing environmental, economic, social, and cultural dimensions to ensure that recipients of this certification not only operate businesses responsibly but also participate concretely in biodiversity conservation. 

“This year marks the first time that the Sustainable Environment Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, has collaborated with BEDO in evaluating and certifying products based on biodiversity utilization, or B MARK. This year’s criteria have been improved regarding the use of local wisdom to integrate biodiversity in product development to create economic and social value. The most emphasized criterion is environmental pollution management, such as energy use, water management, and waste management, to achieve concrete results. SERI has provided guidance to various community enterprises to ensure good environmental quality management, emphasizing that the utilization of community biodiversity should also provide benefits back to the local area,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pantawat.

The announcement and awarding of B MARK serve as a crucial mechanism for elevating the standards of Thai entrepreneurs to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while promoting biodiversity conservation alongside driving community-level economy in a balanced and sustainable manner. BEDO is committed to building upon this success in the long run by expanding the B MARK approach to new entrepreneurs while developing policy support systems, market access, brand building, and innovation advancement to ensure Thailand’s biodiversity-based economy advances toward stable, comprehensive, and sustainable development in all dimensions. 

The 21 entrepreneurs who received the “B MARK” 2025 are as follows:

The East: 3 entrepreneurs 

1. HUGCHANG HUGPA Community Enterprise 
2. Community Enterprise for Biodiversity Resource Development, Wanyaow Subdistrict 
3. AGARWOOD COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE RAYONG CO., LTD.

The West: 2 entrepreneurs  

1. Community Enterprise Group for Plant Fiber Processing and Agave Innovation Development, Ban Yang Khu 
2. Apiphan Charoen Co., Ltd.

The North: 7 entrepreneurs 

1. Mae Chaem Natural Dye Cotton Community Enterprise 
2. Wild Beekeeping Community Enterprise Mae Chaem 
3. YAIMOM FOOD PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP  
4. Sridonchai Tailue Community Enterprise 
5. WORLD GROW COMPANY LIMITED  
6. Ban Kok Processed Wampee Community Enterprise 
7. Ban Suan Ngok Ngam Community Enterprise 

The Northeast: 6 entrepreneurs 

1. Ban Tha Chang Agricultural Tourism Community Enterprise, Phitsanulok 
2. Herb-Buppha Wan Enzyme Toothpaste Community Enterprise 
3. Ban Nong Bua New Theory Agriculture Community Enterprise 
4. Araya Thai Property Co., Ltd.

The South: 5 entrepreneurs  

1. Ban Pru Ka Khaeng Kra Jood Product Processing Community Enterprise 
2. Najmee Intertrading International Khok Phayom LTD. (Najmee Brand)  
3. BARAHOM BARZAAR Community Enterprise 
4. Social Community Enterprise Group for Chili Paste with Shellfish and Ban Bang Dib 
5. Ban Rae Dok Kha Rice Field Processing Center Community Enterprise 

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