One certification that has become popular in recent years is the B Corporation Certification. There are now more than 3,500 B Corporations in the world. This certification evaluates a company as a whole and through a stringent 200 question assessment, judges how the company is doing socially and environmentally. The B Corp Certification is a way for companies to assess their operations and uncover areas where improvements can be made. It can also be a tool for consumers to use to make purchasing decisions that align with their values.
When you support a B Corporation, you are supporting a company that has considered more than just shareholders in their company. B Corporations consider all stakeholders, including their communities, employees, customers, suppliers, and the environment when making decisions. B Corps don’t only consider profit as their bottom line, but rather consider a triple bottom line: People, Planet, and Profit.
There are 5 overarching impact areas for B Corps to focus on:
- Governance
- Workers
- Community
- Environment
- Customers
A company must achieve a minimum verified score on the B Impact Assessment and make their report transparent on bcorporation.net in order to be certified. Additionally, companies are encouraged to amend their legal governing documents to require their board of directors to balance profit and purpose.
As consumers, our purchasing decisions can have some of the greatest impacts on the planet and the health of others and ourselves. Consumers can feel confident supporting B Corporations because of the public transparency, legal accountability, and third-party verified performance.
Sun & Swell is proud to be a certified B Corporation and we take responsibility for the impact we’re having on the planet. As a company that has sustainability at the forefront of our mission, this model aligned with our business from the start. However, we are so grateful for the certification process, as we have been more resilient to the ups and downs of life and we also found a community of other impact businesses that we can collaborate with to create a world that is better for everyone.
To learn more about B Corporations and the certification process check out their website and this video!