Your Guide to Buying B Corp
If you like to read product labels, you're probably looking for certification stamps such as Non-GMO, Organic, Fair Trade, and Gluten-free. However, you may have noticed a less familiar "B" on the packaging of some of your favourite products.
That “B” stands for Certified B Corporation or “B Corp.” Unlike traditional certification stamps, B Corp certification can be applied to any for-profit business industry.
B Corp certification is rapidly gaining traction around the world, based on the premise that businesses of all sizes can be a “force for good” in the world. As a result, many environmentally and socially responsible brands have sought B Corp certification, to further communicate their values.
But what exactly does it mean to be a "B"?
A B Corp Certified Business Must pass the B Impact Assessment
Companies or products with the big B stamp on its label must pass the rigorous B Impact Assessment, a tool developed by the non-profit B Lab that measures how a company or product positively impacts the environment, the community, its workers, and how it adopts long-term business practises. A company must earn a minimum, verified score of 80 points on the B Impact Assessment to meet the performance requirement.
A B Corp Certified Company Must Benefit the Environment
Certified B Corps, are required to assess their environmental impact every two years. This means they have to answer questions about the resources they use, such as water and fuel, and outputs such as carbon emissions.
A B Corp Certified Company Must Benefit the Community
B Corp certified businesses, such as Jamie Oliver Group, are expected to make a difference in the communities where they operate and draw resources for their products, whether through job creation or charitable donations.
A B Corp Certified Company Must Benefit the Workers
Customer satisfaction isn't the only thing B Corps are focused on. B Corp certified brands such as Veja must also build an environment that benefits their staff. This is reflected in compensation, benefits, and providing a family-friendly workplace that allows parents to bring their babies to work and offers a partially subsidised child care for older infants.
Because buying Green is becoming increasingly popular, it can be difficult to determine which companies are truly making a difference behind green marketing campaigns. B Corp certification contributes to the resolution of this ambiguity.
Search for the B stamp on everyday products from peanut butter to laundry detergent and through simple product choices, you can join the movement which really seems to be making a positive impact in the world.