B Corporations Setting the Benchmark Higher

Ali — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:06:03 +0000

Responsible, green and sustainable are just a few of the benchmarks that can distinguish a good company from good marketing. B Lab/B Corporation is a non-profit organization that sets the new standards for corporate social and environmental responsibility and certifies businesses as meeting or exceeding those criterion.

B Lab confirms that products or operations are truly green- and socially-minded. Since its inception in June 2007, B Lab has certified over 80 corporations across 20 distinct industries with market impact of $650 million, according to CSR.

What does it take to be B?

To become a B Corporation^™, you have to do two things: First, meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental standards via the B Rating System^™. By meeting these standards, we set a benchmark which distinguishes “good companies” from “good marketing”. And we make it easier for consumers and investors to support these companies.

Second, amend your corporate governing documents to incorporate the interests of employees, community and the environment. By institutionalizing your values, you make it more likely that those values will survive new investors, new management, and even, someday, new owners.

In good company, some of the B Lab certified businesses include:

EveryJoe » B Corporation

B Corporations Setting the Benchmark Higher