What is a B Corp?

Certified B Corporations, or ‘B Corps’ are businesses that have achieved the highest standards of social and environmental consideration, balancing profit with transparency, accountability and most importantly, sustainability.

As stated on their own website, ‘’the B Corp community works toward reduced inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities, and the creation of more high-quality jobs with dignity and purpose. By harnessing the power of business, B Corps use profits and growth as a means to a greater end: positive impact for their employees, communities, and the environment.’’

But what does being a B Corp entail?

B Corps must consider 4 fundamental impact areas. These areas are community, workers, environment, and customers. Each area has specific qualities which an aspiring B Corp must adhere to in order to achieve the certification. For example, to rank highly in the community impact area the company must show its efforts to operate ethical hiring policies and support the local economy where the company is based.

Why would you become a B Corp?

Creating a sustainable business model far away from short-term profit plans is daunting, let alone becoming a B Corporation, so what’s the point?

In 2020, the US-based company Deloitte conducted a survey centred around sustainability which revealed that 43% of consumers actively choose brands because of their environmental values, with a further 34% choosing brands based on their ethical credentials. Whilst this is still less than half of the consumer population it’s important to note that the vast majority of the public making up those numbers are younger Millennials and Gen-Z – meaning that the entire future of consumerism, statistically, rests in their hands.

Making the appropriate business changes to even consider becoming a B Corp is a huge step in the right direction and will be appreciated by your consumer base. Establishing your company as a sustainable and ethical entity will significantly increase your legitimacy in the eyes of the upcoming generations, and ensure business longevity.