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Weleda is B Corp certified

03 Feb

Who is B Lab and what is a B Corp?

Business as a force for good – this is the underlying vision of B Lab. Founded in 2006 in the USA, this non-profit organisation certifies for-profit companies as B Corporations – B Corps for short. The “B” stands for beneficial and the benefit to society and the environment these businesses are providing. Today, members of the global B Corp community are working together to make the planet a better place. How are they doing this? By putting business practices to the test. Interested companies must undergo a rigorous certification process according to strict criteria: What values does it live by in terms of its management style? What rights do its employees have? What is its impact on the environment, society and customers? A company with certified B Corp status means that it meets the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, balancing profit and purpose.

Goals and values of the worldwide movement

B Lab brings together companies working towards a unifying goal: to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy for all. “Striving for the common good is a paradigm shift,” explains Dr. Stefan Siemer, Head of Sustainability at Weleda. “Profit remains an important goal, but we must never achieve it at the expense of people, animals or the environment.” B Corporations are committed to a long-term process of continuous improvement: every three years they must re-certify and meet increasingly ambitious standards. The aim is not to be less bad, but to do more good for people and the environment through exemplary business practices. B Corporations are by definition social enterprises, which use their profits to add value to society.

How do companies become certified B Corps?

To receive B Corp certification, companies work with B Lab to evaluate their business, down to the last detail. At the heart of the process is the B Impact Assessment. This tool measures how business decisions affect all stakeholders – shareholders, employees, customers and suppliers. An Impact Assessment Score of 80+ points allows a company to take the next step towards certification. Legal accountability plays a key role: for example, by resolution of the Weleda owners, the pursuit of the common good and ecological well-being is now anchored in our bylaws. Certified companies support the B Corp movement with an annual certification fee, sign the B Corp Declaration of Interdependence and agree to the terms of agreement. Our positive impact is supported by transparency: the detailed assessment report is available to the public.

B Corp certification recognises companies that operate in a responsible, environmentally sustainable and socially equitable manner.