24 Jun What is a B Corp?

What is a B Corp?

Certified B Corporations (B Corps) are businesses that give as much consideration to their social and environmental impact as they do to their financial returns.

B Corporation certification (assessed by the not-for-profit B Lab) is given to for-profit organisations who achieve at least a minimum score against a set of social and environmental standards.

B Corps have been around in the US since 2007, with popular brands like Ben & Jerry’s and Patagonia achieving certification. As of March 2021, there are 3,720 B Corp organisations worldwide, in 74 countries. In 2015, the initiative launched in the UK and there are now 430 B Corporations, including household names like The Body Shop, JoJo Maman Bebe, Innocent drinks and Abel & Cole. (Source: www.bcorporation.uk)

What does being a B-Corp mean?

 Certified B Corporations are for-profit companies that use business as a force for good. They build a more inclusive and sustainable economy by considering the impact of their decisions on workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment. The certification is only awarded to companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental accountability.

B Corp certified companies strive not only for profits, but for the betterment of the world around them. This includes their employees and their customers, as well as society at large and the environment – both locally and globally.

B Corps are transparent about their operating practices and are held to a high standard of legal accountability. Companies have to be recertified every two years, and if they fail to meet the set criteria, they lose their B Corp status. The criteria is constantly evolving, to ensure that B Corps are always moving with the times and are on the cutting edge of what “good” looks like in the current world.

Why does that matter?

As a consumer, you know that if you buy from a B-Corp then you’re giving your money to a business with a conscience and that you’re contributing to a community that’s doing something to improve the world’s problems – such as inequality, poverty and climate change and by shopping with a B Corp you’re helping build a world with a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Shopping with a B Corp

If you want to shop with B Corps on a more regular basis, you can find the entire list of all B Corps here.

Caara also has a great range of household products from Certified B Corps here, and you can also search brands on Caara by other certifications and values too such as Cruelty Free or Fairtrade. For more groceries, household and health and beauty products, both Boots and Waitrose also have dedicated B-Corp areas which are worth exploring.