5 reasons to become a B Corp

B Corp: A powerful expression of your commitment to sustainability

More and more companies are wondering how to integrate and ensure sustainability in their organisation. In the coming years, the laws and regulations sustainability obligations will continue to expand to a wider range of companies, including smaller SME organisations. For many organisations at this time, it is not easy to see through the trees the 'laws and regulations forest' around sustainability.

Especially for these smaller companies, B Corp is a good tool to take the first steps in the right direction. B Corp is a certification created by B Lab. In essence, B Corp certification recognises companies that not only strive for profit, but are also committed to creating positive social and environmental impact as an integral part of their corporate mission and decision-making.

Why become a B Corp? 

1. It creates a culture of positive change: the process of becoming a B Corp makes you think about the impact you have. It sends a signal to employees in the organisation that your company is committed to putting B Corp values at the heart of business strategy. It also often leads to new ideas and policies that have a visible positive impact on the day-to-day work of employees.

2. Measuring impact: The B Corp certification provides a structured framework for measuring and improving your company's social and environmental impact. This not only helps with accountability but also forces continuous improvement.

3. It leads you to better performance: the assessment tool (B Corps' B Impact Assessment, BIA) is a learning tool and provides insight into how to improve your operation and business model in 3 ways. First, it encourages action on undiscovered areas within your organisation. Second, it gives insight into how you can grow even in the aspects in which you already excel. Finally, it encourages broader thinking about your real impact on the four different stakeholder groups (employees, customers, community & environment).

4. Show you mean business: a B Corp certification shows that your company is committed to sustainable social change. This attracts customers and new employees. Many B Corps find that customers choose them specifically because they are B Corp. This also applies to employees and is distinctive in a structurally tight labour market.

5. It is a real community: many companies that become B Corp are positively surprised to find themselves part of a real community. Consisting of companies and their leaders who are genuinely interested in creating positive impact and want to support other companies to do the same.

Updated June 2023