Certified B Corporations - what are they?

We often talk about the different types of certifications that attest that brands are truly committed to becoming socially and environmentally responsible. Today, we will discuss the B Corps Certification, and learn more about how the B

movement started, what exactly are Certified B Corporations, who is eligible for receiving the certification, who certifies B Corps, and the requirements brands need to fulfil in order to obtain the certification. 

---

So first, let's understand: how did everything start?

In 2006, Andrew Kassoy, Bart Houlahan, and Jay Coen Gilbert created a company that would assist businesses increase success not only for shareholders but also for their stakeholders. To implement such practices, they first created the B Lab, which is a non-profit organization. The B Lab organization created, and is now responsible for granting brands, the B Corp certification. To receive the certification, businesses need to meet a variety of standards that prove they are using their forces to benefit society and the planet, and not just to increase profit.

That leads us to our next question: what is the B Corp Certification?

The B Corp certification evaluates a company's social and environmental performances. These performances are measured by an assessment (called the B Impact Assessment) that brands take. The B Impact assessment analyses how a company's business model affects its workers, the community, the environment and its customers. It evaluates all the way from the supply chain of companies to their finished goods and services. The B Corp Certification ensures businesses are complying with the highest standards of verified performances.

Who certifies B Corps?

As mentioned above, the B Lab is the creator of the B Corps Certificate, thus, it regulates and grants brands the B Corps certification.

Who is eligible for obtaining a B Corps Certification?

Any company that is for-profit and has been operating for one year or more.

What are the requirements to receive the certification? 

There are three pillars that companies must meet in order to receive the certification. 

1. First, the company must take the B Impact Assessment. The assessment measures a company's day-to-day operations and business model. At the end of the assessment, it is granted a score. In order to qualify for the next step towards obtaining the certification, companies must score at least 80 in all areas. Also, the B Lab verifies the all assessments to ensure that questions were answered truthfully. 

2. After completing the assessment, a verification process takes place. During this process, the B Impact assessment is reviewed and companies must submit documents for verification. In addition, businesses also need to meet certain transparency requirements. 

3. After completing the assessment, companies must meet legal requirements. Companies that receive the certification are required to "consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders". Thus, sometimes companies need to change their corporate structure to comply with the legal requirements established by the certification. 

Now that we covered the basics of this certification, we, as customers, should rethink our buying habits and prioritize companies that are committed to implementing business practices that benefit communities and the environment. The process of obtaining this, and any other certification, is long, so let's make a difference and buy from retailers that are actually concerned about how their actions affect the fashion industry and the planet.  

Source: B Corporation

At Do.Better, our goal is to reduce the waste and pollution footprint caused by the fashion industry. To learn more about how we help companies achieve that, click here