Brands that are certified B Corporation meet the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility as well as public transparency. Used as a model for transparent, public business practices, the standard reinforces corporate accountability.
To receive certification, businesses have to achieve a verified score on the B Impact Assessment, which evaluates the brands’ impact on their workers, customers, community, and environment. B Corporation’s ranking system allows for brands to improve their ethical standards, however, it’s worth mentioning that carrying this certification alone doesn’t mean that a clothing brand is “sustainable”.
B Corporation is the most prestigious global standard that recognizes purpose-driven companies. Being B Corp goes beyond the certification of a product or service. B Corp is a new business model and the only global standard that measures the social and environmental performance of the entire company while defining its identity.
To do so, it uses the B Impact Assessment: an online, free and confidential tool that evaluates the positive impact that companies generate on workers, the community, the environment, and customers. To ensure that this impact is real and to establish incentives for continuous improvement, B Corp companies meet rigorous transparency and legal accountability requirements and undergo a re-evaluation every three years.
Being a B Corp also means adopting a legal commitment to consider all stakeholders in decision making, as well as joining an active community of people and companies committed to sharing best practices, learning, and opportunities for business and business transformation.
Why Do Companies Want the Certification?
It’s a global movement of leaders who are building an inclusive and sustainable economy for all people and the planet.
Companies can expand their network, building relationships with other companies that share their values.
It improves impact and differentiation through social engagement.
It intensifies the brand’s communication about its positive impact.
It increases the brand’s visibility and media exposure.
It attracts investors and capital aligned with the mission.
About The B Corp Movement
The B Corp movement began in the United States in 2006, led by B Lab, a non-profit organization that brings together companies convinced that, through products, practices, and governance, it is possible to generate socio-environmental and economic development.
To receive the seal and be part of the B Corp movement, it is necessary to go through a rigorous certification process and achieve a minimum score of 80 points out of a total of 200. Every three years, it is necessary to undergo validation to maintain the certificate.
How to Become Certified B Corp:
1. Meet the Performance Requirements
The B Impact Assessment is a free digital platform that evaluates how your company interacts with employees, customers, the community, and the environment. Complete it and get a minimum score of 80 to become eligible.
2. Comply with the Legal Requirements
Incorporate consideration of all stakeholders in decision-making into the company's bylaws. Use the Legal Requirements Tool to determine how to do this.
3. Verification and Application
Submit your B Impact Assessment for review so that B Lab can verify your score and determine if your company meets the 80 points required for certification. All companies applying for B Corp certification will be subject to a non-refundable application fee of €250.
This fee will help us focus our efforts and review processes on companies that are committed to achieving B Corp certification. The application fee will be collected at the time companies first apply for certification.
4. Make it Official
Sign the B Lab term sheet and the Interdependence Declaration and pay your annual fee based on your company's turnover. Find the details of the fees below.
The fees below apply to all companies applying for B Corp certification for the first time and, as of January 1, 2022, to all existing B Corp companies.