B Corp Certification
B THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD
B Corp
B THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD
B Corp is a global movement of companies balancing purpose and profit, and becoming B Corp certified means your business is a leader in the transition towards a circular, inclusive, and regenerative economy.
The “B” stands for ‘Benefit’ – B Corps are companies that benefit everyone, not just their shareholders. There is a growing community of 5,000+ certified B Corps worldwide, with over 400 in Aotearoa and Australia. Check out the directory of B Corps using business as a “force for good”.
Why B Corp?
Reaching 80 points (it’s a comprehensive deep dive of your entire business) means your company is better structured and future-proofed for doing profitable business in the 21st Century. On top of this, we see some of the key benefits of B Corps as:
"I hope that in five years from now, ten years from now, we'll look back and say B Corporations were the start of the revolution. The existing paradigm isn't working anymore. This is the future."
– Yvon Chouinard, Founder – Patagonia
How Go Well can help
We work with B Corp consultants, who have been formally trained by B Lab, to ensure your business has answered the BIA questionnaire as accurately as possible and has followed the best path for your business model and industry.
Together, as a team of sustainability experts, we then create a pathway for you to achieve the necessary points, and coach and support you – as required – to do the work and prepare you for the audit. We will make sure you not only achieve B Corp certification, but that you also develop a clear pathway to keep moving forward as a certified B Corp.
B Corp 101
Who?
“B Lab” (a not-for-profit) manages the B Corp certification and is the Independent body that verifies B Corps.
What?
B Corps are independently verified for their social and environmental impact, as well as their transparency.
How?
Certified B Corps must achieve 80 points (out of about 220) in B Lab’s B Impact Assessment (BIA), a questionnaire tailored to your business size, location and industry, based on your last financial year’s operations. The BIA is split into five areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.
Why?
Points are given for positive impacts your business has, either through its operations (e.g. measuring and reducing its carbon emissions) or through its structure itself (e.g. pledging to donate 1% of revenue to a charitable cause), called “Impact Business Models”.
How hard?
Don’t be fooled by the 80 point threshold – most business achieve 50-60 on their first attempt. You need to be able to prove or have evidence supporting all points achieved.
How much?
Undertaking the BIA is free, with fees applying for the certification process. Every B Corp must recertify every three years.
How long?
See journey timeline (above) and get in touch for a better idea of what a realistic time frame looks like for your organisation.
It is worth it?
B Corp is a very robust and thorough certification that is highly respected and will positively improve your business’ brand and engagement. However, it is not for every business and can be an undertaking that is too big for some in their current state. We recommend you do your research or discuss with our sustainability experts to work out whether it‘s right for your organisation.