Phil WhiteCertified B Corporations like to proudly display their B Corp Certification by placing the “B” mark on storefront windows, websites, and packaging (to name a few places). But B Corp Certification is more than just a mark. It’s a global movement of people going beyond business as usual to make their company better for all people and the planet.
What is a Certified B Corp?
Certified B Corporations are for-profit companies that are leaders in a global movement dedicated to achieving an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. B Corp was founded by B Labs, a nonprofit network, whose mission is to transform the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. Founded in 2006 with 82 Certified B Corps certified in 2007, there are now more than six thousand Certified B Corporations in more than 80 countries and over 150 industries.
What is the process for B Corp certification?
At the beginning of the B Corp Certification process, companies must undergo an assessment of risk factors based on their industry and other practices. The risk standards are developed and evolved by B Lab’s Standards Advisory Council which is an independent, multi-stakeholder group including members from around the world with specific expertise in responsible and sustainable business.
Companies that have been in operation for 12 months must meet the the below certification requirements: 
- Scoring Requirement - Certified B Corps are required to score a minimum of 80 points (out of 200) on the B Impact Assessment and pass a disclosure questionnaire review
- Legal Requirement - Certified B Corps must update their corporate and legal governance structures to allow them to consider the impact of their decisions on all their stakeholders
- Transparency Requirement - After becoming a Certified B Corp, companies will be eligible to have their company profile (with their impact report) listed in the B Corporation Directory
Companies must complete the B Impact Assessment (BIA) which is a free, digital tool that can help measure, manage, and improve a company’s positive impact performance. The BIA asks a series of questions about the company’s practices and outputs across the following categories:
- Governance - policies and practices pertaining to a company’s mission, ethics, accountability, and transparency
- Workers - employees’ financial, physical, professional, and social well-being
- Community - economic and social well-being of the communities in which a company operates
- Environment - policies and practices pertaining to a company’s environmental stewardship
- Customers - verification that your products and services improve the impact of your clients/customers/consumers
In order for a company to keep their status as a Certified B Corp, the company will need to re-certify every three years and use the B Impact Assessment and the certification process as a tool for continuous improvement. There has been a growing demand to become a Certified B Corp and applications for B Corp status and waiting times to become certified have been rapidly increasing. So, we encourage anyone who is thinking about becoming a Certified B Corp to get started right away! Check out the free B Impact Assessment to measure your impact.
What are the benefits to becoming a Certified B Corp?
There are many benefits to being a Certified B Corp. Here are just 5 reasons your company may want to consider going through the process to become a Certified B Corp:
- Operating with transparency is a great way to build trust with your audience and differentiate from those companies known for greenwashing.
- Attract like-minded customers, clients, and partners from all over the world who also care about doing better business.
- Workplace culture and business performance thrives with policy improvements and better business practices.
- Through the effort of continuous improvement you’ll stay ahead of the curve when it comes to social and environmental topics.
- Investors prefer to invest in companies with a social mission.
How does Grounded World #GoBeyond business as usual?
Grounded World is a certified B Corp has been a Certified B Corp since 2019 and our goal is to become the Best Creative Impact Agency for the World by the time we recertify in 2025. This certification is important to us because we believe in the spirit of continuous improvement and meeting the highest standards of social and environmental impact. We are an award-winning creative impact agency which means we use the power of ideas
to change the world. Grounded exists to help brands, retailers, nonprofits, and startups to unlock their mission and inspire action. We do this by helping our clients articulate their purpose, activate their brand, and accelerate their impact. As a creative impact agency we are also behavior changers. We inspire people to buy the products that make a difference, live more sustainably, donate to important causes, and stand up for those in need. We believe that’s the power of creativity. Our creative impact agency doesn’t just imagine a better world— we’re hellbent on creating one.
An even better way of explaining why and how we #GoBeyond business as usual is portrayed by our Artivist’s in Residence, Savon Bartley and Ramya Ramana. Please enjoy our film:
