ESG
To become a certified B Corp , businesses must abide by stringent requirements , including completing a comprehensive assessment , which then must be verified by founding company B Lab . Any controversial operations must be disclosed to B Lab , and businesses must commit to the transparent public disclosure of their performance .
“ It ’ s easier to apply for B Corp certification when your company is smaller or just starting out , because you can see all the areas upon which you need to focus ,” says Heidi Schoeneck , Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Grounded . “ This is largely because it can be costly and time consuming to ensure all ground is covered correctly .”
Yvonne supports this idea , stating that larger businesses will be required to provide more data . “ For us , the process is really beneficial . It ’ s required us to hold ourselves accountable for our actions ,” Yvonne adds .
Is B Corp right for your business ? Those considering applying for B Corp certification will most likely have sustainability and environmental impact at the forefront of their business model . But how can a business owner or CEO be sure that it ’ s the right step for them ?
“ Applying for B Corp certification can be costly and time consuming ,” Laura Harnett , founder of sustainable cleaning tool brand Seep , explains . “ But for business owners contemplating whether or not to make the commitment , I would urge them to consider why they want to achieve it and what they want to gain . Fundamentally , are you a business for good ? Can your business improve the current situation with the climate or social inequality , for example ?
“ If you believe that your business does play these roles , the B Corp certification is a really great structure to guide you through
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