B Corp Certification Support
Gaining B Corp Certification
Get the B-Corp Advantage!
B Corp aims to promote businesses as a force for good, and the concept has taken off since B Corp certification was launched in 2006. Today, more than 6,200 companies in 87 countries and 159 industries are now Certified B Corps.
Certified B corps are legally mandated to consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders. This ensures that as the business grows and evolves, it remains legally accountable to workers, communities, customers, suppliers and the environment, and not just to its shareholders.
In an increasingly sustainability-conscious world, becoming a Certified B Corp represents a strategic milestone for businesses committed to making a positive impact. Here are the top 10 benefits of B Corp certification, and it ESG Pro Limited who can guide you on securing this achievement:
- Alignment with Values and Operational Excellence: The B Corp certification process, which includes completing the B Impact Assessment (BIA), enables businesses to align their operations with their core values. This process often reveals opportunities for improvement, leading to more impactful, ethically-driven practices and a more optimized organization overall.
- Global Community of Changemakers: Certification connects you to a worldwide network of like-minded businesses and individuals committed to using business as a force for good. This community fosters collaboration, idea sharing, and support, enhancing your journey in making a difference in the world.
- Amplifying Impact: Being part of a global movement to redefine success in business means contributing to a greater cause. B Corps collectively work towards changing the economic system to benefit all, addressing critical issues such as climate change, racial inequity, and democratic challenges.
- Attracting and Engaging Talent: B Corp certification is an attractive feature for job seekers, especially those seeking purposeful work. It aids in recruitment, with many B Corps reporting an increase in unsolicited applications from quality candidates.
- Professional Development Opportunities: Certification grants access to the B Hive, a networking platform where employees can join groups relevant to their roles, fostering peer-learning and professional growth at no additional cost to the company.
- Enhanced Marketing and Branding: Certified B Corps gain access to valuable marketing collateral and assets, including the B Corp logo and participation in B Lab-organized marketing campaigns, amplifying their branding and storytelling efforts.
- Competitive Differentiation: In a marketplace where consumers and companies increasingly value sustainability, B Corp certification sets your business apart. It is a trusted mark of commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
- Benchmarking and Continuous Improvement: The B Impact Assessment tool helps in benchmarking performance against other companies and encourages continuous improvement in various aspects of social and environmental performance.
- Business Development Opportunities: The B Corp community actively seeks to do business with fellow B Corps, creating a supportive ecosystem for sales and business development.
- Cost Savings and Access to Services: Many B Corps offer discounts to each other, providing cost savings on a variety of products and services, accessible through the B Hive Marketplace.
Is B Corp Certification Worth It? Despite the challenges of attaining B Corp certification, the rewards are substantial. Joining the ranks of certified B Corps places your company at the forefront of a global movement committed to not just profit but also to creating a positive impact on the world.
Explore the transformative journey of B Corp certification with us at ESG Pro Limited. Select the Contact Us option above or simply book a meeting today to learn more about how we can guide your business towards this significant achievement, enhancing your sustainability journey and business success.
Ready to go, or in a rush? Book a meeting today – click here.
The B Corp Certification Process
B Corp: how long does it take, and what’s involved?
The certification process starts with the B Impact Assessment (BIA) which measures your company’s economic, social and environmental impacts. This is a key part of the certification process, and it is best viewed as a confidential assessment which grades your company’s accountability and transparency, its impact on employees, the community and the environment, as well as the beneficial impact of its products or services.
While the BIA is a free tool, achieving a score of at least 80 is demanding in the extreme. Very few businesses have the proper procedures in place, and almost no one has an adequate employee handbook. Relax: with ESG PRO we cover all of this with you!
If you decide to pursue B Corp certification, you will then need to submit your results to B Lab for verification. At this stage there’s a small application fee to pay, and then your certification fee which is based on your annual revenue – but this doesn’t happen until you’ve passed. The B Lab staff will go over the results, clarify the certification fees, ask for supporting documentation and possibly arrange a site visit.
Don’t be tempted by agencies offering instant results – you must approach the B Corp process diligently and honestly.
Certification is time consuming. It starts with gathering the necessary documentation and submitting your application, and this alone requires quality guidance to get it right the first time.
Remember that everything needs to be verified, so you’ll need documentation to prove you have certain practices in place. The legal team at ESG Pro have the model documents ready to customise for your business, but the real expertise is in advising how to implement changes to your employment practises, helping you to conduct a supply chain sustainability audit, and running a materiality assessment.
Overall, the B Corp certification tends to take up to nine months from start to finish, although if your organisation already has a strong HR team, and solid CSR programme, it might be faster.
Ready to go, or in a rush? Book a meeting today – click here.
How can ESG Pro help?
We offer a fully managed B Corp service!
Getting started with B Corp requires the same level of commitment as tackling ESG reporting to the standards of the GRI or SASB frameworks. The senior leadership team must invest their own time and effort, in addition to the many tasks which may be delegated. You will need to think about:
- Should you create a B Corp steering group, because it’s too big of a task for one person alone?
- Is B Corp the best solution, or should this be run in parallel with gaining an ESG certification and rating?
- What external help will enable your business to be ready to submit your application faster?
- Do you have an upcoming bid you’re trying to win, and would you like an option for rapid compliance?
Our experts will be pleased to explore these criteria with you in greater depth, guiding you towards a successful strategy!
Ready to go, or in a rush? Book a meeting today – click here.
