WE’VE JOINED THE BEST CLUB ON THE PLANET
But what does that actually mean? B Corps are businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact for people and the planet. It’s how we’ve always done business. It’s in our DNA. And now we have the stamp to prove it. Discover what it means and what it takes to become a B Corp™ and Triple Bottom Line business. While you’re reading, please excuse us while we do a quick backflip to celebrate.
Dame Anita Roddick
FOUNDER OF THE BODY SHOP
BALANCING PURPOSE AND PROFIT
Dame Anita Roddick wanted to start a new kind of business – one that used business as a force for good. When we certified as a B Corp, The Body Shop amended our governing documents to reflect a Triple Bottom Line business which means that we strive to balance people, planet and profit. A true Triple Bottom Line business doesn’t just measure success in financial terms, but also through ensuring it understands its social and environmental impact, too. This helps challenge the global economic system that actually causes many of these social and environmental problems.
We understand that society’s biggest problems can’t just be solved by governments and non-profits alone. So, B Corps work towards addressing these issues through business – like tackling inequality and poverty and the creation of high-quality jobs.
SO, WHAT IS A B CORP?
A B Corp is a business that meets high verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. That’s how we’ve always done business – but now we’ve made it official.
Harnessing the power of business, B Corps use profits and growth to create a positive impact for their employees, communities and the environment. B Corps work together across the globe for reduced inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities and the creation of jobs with dignity and purpose. They want to inspire other companies to join them.
To date, there are over 6,460 Certified B Corps in 161 industries and 89 countries, and over 250,000 companies use the B Impact Assessment.
We’re very incredibly proud to be the first publically listed B Corp in South East Asia.
WHY IS IT GOOD TO BE A B CORP?
Like our founder, Dame Anita Roddick, B Corps are champions of using business as a force for good. We’re joining a rapidly growing number of B Corps committed to driving change in business and society. Harnessing the power of business, B Corps use profits and growth to create a positive impact for their employees, communities and the environment. B Corps work together across the globe for reduced inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities and the creation of jobs with dignity and purpose. They want to inspire other companies to join them.
HOW DID WE BECOME A B CORP?
Becoming a B Corp wasn’t easy. It meant having every part of our business looked at through a microscope. The assessment measures a business’s performance in five key categories – governance, workers, customers, community and the environment – using credible, independent and verifiable standards of social and environmental performance.
HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE INITIATIVES THAT HELPED US MEET B CORP CERTIFICATION:
ACTIVIST CAMPAIGNING
Our history of engaging customers in our activist campaigns, including Forever Against Animal Testing. We also played a big role in influencing legislation and speaking to lawmakers and stakeholders about this topic to end animal testing in cosmetics worldwide for good.
REFILLS & RECYCLING
The Body Shop was the original refills pioneer back in the 70's and today with our large-scale refill stations roll-out, we are back at the forefront of the refill revolution.
The launch of our in-store recycling scheme and the offsetting of energy use in our stores that isn’t green energy.
INFLUENCING LEGISLATION
We also played a big role in influencing legislation and speaking to lawmakers and stakeholders about this topic to end animal testing in cosmetics worldwide for good.
VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering days involving our 8,000+ employees across the globe. Locally, all our employees participate in 24 hours of volunteering work, whether it is through activities organised by the brand or on their own.
TRAINING AND ENGAGING OUR TEAMS
Training and engaging teams around the world on our B Corp mission and on the importance of being a Triple Bottom Line business.
COMMITMENT
Our commitment to helping empower people and communities around the world through our Community Fair Trade programme. We’ve been sourcing ingredients and accessories from expert producers and artisans in exchange for a fair price for over 30 years.
WHAT’S OUR B CORP SCORE?
Businesses need a score of 80 points or above to achieve B Corp certification. We’re proud to exceed this already high standard and we look forward to achieving an even higher score when we next certify.
B Corp certification is managed by B Lab. B Lab is the nonprofit network transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. B Lab’s initiatives include B Corp Certification, administration of the B Impact Management programs and software, and advocacy for governance structures like the benefit corporation. B Lab leads economic systems change to support vision of an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. Visit http://bcorporation.net for more information.
To maintain our B Corp certification, we need to continue documenting our positive impact to qualify and undergo re-certification every three years.
