What is B Corp certification?
In a nutshell, B Corp certification is the world’s gold standard measurement for how environmentally and socially conscious a business is based on how it makes its products, treats its staff, makes decisions, benefits its community and impacts the environment.
B Corp certification is granted by B Lab, a global non-profit organisation that is driving economic change to benefit society, communities and the planet by creating an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy.
Globally, there are currently over 8,000 certified B Corps leading the way in using business as a means to create a positive, sustainable future. In the UK there are now more than 2000!
What does it mean if a company is a B Corp?
B Corps are companies that meet exceptional standards in terms of how their business operates, not financially but socially and environmentally. These companies have an additional purpose other than making a profit and that is to have a positive impact on the environment and society. The assessment is holistic, verifying that a company demonstrates accountability and transparency on a range of factors such as the treatment of staff, charity work, governance, structure and their supply chain practices. The B Corp assessment is considered to be the blueprint for how to operate a business and recognises behaviours and cultures that benefit all rather than profits the few. What’s more, this certification is unique in that it measures a company’s performance against its entire environmental and social impact.
Assessment is based on a factors such as:
- Fair wages and gender pay gap
- Human Rights
- Climate action which includes a climate transition plan to reach a target of keeping global warming below 1.5°C
- Environmental stewardship – monitoring waste production, energy use and water consumption
- Ethics and transparency for aspects such as career development, staff health, wellness and safety
The assessment process is rigorous and robust and certification last for three years. After this time, companies must be reassessed and demonstrate that they continue to uphold and adhere to high standards. In addition, certification cannot be achieved in isolation by a small group of staff or company leaders, it requires the engagement of the whole company. B Corps build trust with customers, communities and suppliers and are focused on continuous improvement. This is evidenced by the fact that almost two-thirds of B Corps improve their point score during their recertification process after 3 years.
Is B Corp a good thing?
By becoming B Corp certified, companies are showing that they are committed to being better. They want to reduce harm to the environment and operate in a sustainable way. Instead of being focused on profit, B Corp businesses are focused on purpose, meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance. B Corps are committed to fairer wages, ethical practices, environmental stewardship and tackling climate change.
Which Animal-Kind brands are B Corp certified?
At Animal-Kind, our list of B Corp certified brands continues to grow. As we expand our range of products, we pay particular attention to B Corp certified brands, knowing that their values align with our commitment to promote positive social and environmental change. Our B Corp certified brands are:
Ecoegg
