Certifications

B Corporation Certification

 

How to obtain: To become a Certified B Corporation, companies must complete the B Impact Assessment, which evaluates their performance in five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. They must meet the minimum score requirements and maintain that score through periodic reassessments. Companies must also amend their legal governing documents to ensure their commitment to stakeholder interests.

 

Benefits:

• Demonstrates a commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

• Attracts customers, investors, and employees who share similar values.

• Access to a supportive community of like-minded businesses.

• Enhances brand reputation and credibility.

 

Fairtrade Certification

 

How to obtain: Companies must apply to the Fairtrade Foundation and meet specific criteria, including fair labour practices, environmentally sustainable production, and transparent supply chains. Regular audits and assessments are conducted to ensure ongoing compliance with Fairtrade standards.

 

Benefits:

• Improves the livelihoods of farmers and workers in developing countries.

• Attracts ethically conscious customers and builds trust.

• Demonstrates commitment to fair trade and sustainability.

• Enhances brand reputation and market differentiation.

 

ISO 14001

 

How to obtain: How to obtain: Companies must implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) that meets the requirements of ISO 14001. This involves identifying and managing environmental aspects, setting objectives and targets, and monitoring and evaluating performance. Third-party certification bodies audit the EMS to ensure compliance with the standard.

 

Benefits:

• Reduces environmental impact and resource consumption.

• Improves regulatory compliance and risk management.

• Enhances brand reputation and customer trust.

• Attracts environmentally conscious customers and investors.

 

ISO 26000

 

How to obtain: ISO 26000 is a voluntary guidance standard, not a certification. Companies can use the standard to assess their social responsibility performance and implement improvements. They can then communicate their commitment to social responsibility in accordance with the standard.

 

Benefits:

• Demonstrates commitment to ethical business practices.

• Aligns with international best practices for social responsibility.

• Enhances brand reputation and customer trust.

• Supports sustainable development goals and stakeholder engagement.

 

ISO 45001

 

How to obtain: Companies must implement an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) that meets the requirements of ISO 45001. This involves identifying and managing workplace hazards, setting objectives and targets, and monitoring and evaluating performance. Third-party certification bodies audit the OHSMS to ensure compliance with the standard.

 

Benefits:

• Improves workplace safety and employee well-being.

• Reduces workplace accidents and related costs.

• Enhances regulatory compliance and risk management.

• Attracts employees who value a safe and healthy work environment.

 

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification

 

How to obtain: Companies must apply to an FSC-accredited certification body and undergo an assessment of their forest management practices or chain of custody processes. They must meet the FSC's principles and criteria, which cover environmental, social, and economic aspects. Regular audits are conducted to ensure ongoing compliance with FSC standards.

 

Benefits:

• Demonstrates commitment to responsible forest management.

• Enhances brand reputation and market differentiation.

• Attracts environmentally conscious customers and investors.

• Supports the preservation of forests and biodiversity.

 

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification

 

How to obtain: Fisheries must apply to an independent, accredited certifier and undergo a comprehensive assessment against the MSC Fisheries Standard, which evaluates the sustainability of fish stocks, ecosystem impacts, and effective fisheries management. Supply chain businesses must also obtain Chain of Custody certification to ensure the traceability of MSC-certified products.

 

Benefits:

• Demonstrates commitment to sustainable fisheries management.

• Enhances brand reputation and market differentiation.

• Attracts environmentally conscious customers and investors.

• Supports the preservation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

 

Rainforest Alliance Certification

 

How to obtain: Companies must apply to the Rainforest Alliance and undergo an assessment of their sustainability performance against the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard. The standard covers environmental, social, and economic aspects of agriculture production. Companies must meet the minimum requirements and continue to improve over time through regular reassessments.

 

Benefits:

• Demonstrates commitment to sustainable agriculture and forestry practices.

• Enhances brand reputation and market differentiation.

• Attracts ethically conscious customers and investors.

• Supports the preservation of forests and biodiversity.

 

Carbon Trust Standard

 

How to obtain: Companies must implement carbon reduction strategies that result in significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. They can apply for certification to the Carbon Trust, which evaluates their carbon reduction targets and performance. Certification is awarded based on meeting specific criteria and requires ongoing monitoring and reporting.

 

Benefits:

• Demonstrates commitment to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change.

• Enhances brand reputation and market differentiation.

• Attracts ethically conscious customers and investors.

• Reduces energy consumption and operating costs.

 

Living Wage Accreditation

 

How to obtain: Companies must commit to paying all employees a living wage, which is higher than the national minimum wage and reflects the actual cost of living. They can apply for accreditation to the Living Wage Foundation, which evaluates their compliance with living wage standards. Accreditation is awarded based on meeting specific criteria and requires ongoing monitoring and reporting.

 

Benefits:

• Demonstrates commitment to fair labour practices and employee well-being.

• Enhances brand reputation and market differentiation.

• Attracts socially conscious customers and employees.

• Improves employee retention and productivity.

 

Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Membership

 

How to obtain: Companies can become members of the ETI by committing to implementing the ETI Base Code, which sets standards for labour practices. The ETI provides guidance and support to members to help them implement the Base Code and improve their supply chain practices. Members undergo periodic assessments to ensure compliance with ETI standards.

 

Benefits:

• Demonstrates commitment to ethical supply chain practices and labour rights.

• Enhances brand reputation and market differentiation.

• Attracts socially conscious customers and investors.

• Improves supplier relationships and supply chain transparency.

 

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

 

How to obtain: Companies must ensure that at least 70% of the textile product is made of certified organic fibres and meets strict environmental and social criteria throughout the supply chain. They can apply for certification from an authorized GOTS certification body, which evaluates their compliance with the GOTS standard.

 

Benefits:

• Demonstrates commitment to sustainable and ethical textile production.

• Enhances brand reputation and market differentiation.

• Attracts socially and environmentally conscious customers and investors.

• Improves supplier relationships and supply chain transparency.