Large companies are joining the B Corp movement - both as Certified B Corporations and through other accessible options to "be like a B Corp" to measure and manage their impact. Learn more about the various pathways for engagement for large and public companies, then contact B Lab to discuss the right opportunities for your company.
In this increasingly complex world, big brands and companies are fundamentally challenged as to whose interests they really serve. We are convinced that answering this intent and purpose question in straight and simple terms is the best way for our brands to re-establish trust with employees, consumers, partners, civil society and governments. This is where we found B Lab accreditation a great way to express our long time commitment for dual economic and social progress, through our ambition to support people's adoption of healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking practices.”
- Emmanuel Faber, CEO of Danone, Danone UK
Certifying as a B Corporation represents the most substantial opportunity for both internal and external engagement in the B Corp movement. Examples of large companies that have achieved B Corp Certification include Laureate, Intrepid Group, and Natura. As a large company, your path to Certification will vary based on your size and complexity.
If your company fits this criteria, you are likely eligible to certify under the existing B Corp framework and process, but your eligibility and process will vary based on your company’s specific size and structure. Our team will review your company details with you and get you started on the right path. Download the guide below and contact B Lab to get started.
B Lab’s Multinationals & Public Markets Advisory Council (MPMAC) is working on a path to certification for larger and more complex MPCs, including alpha testing of updated standards in 2018. Learn more about the MPMAC its membership (including representatives from Danone, Prudential, & Unilever) and how to get engaged.
In the meantime, there are lots of opportunities for engagement, including certifying subsidiaries, using B Lab’s impact management tools, adopting impact governance structures, and more.
Regardless of whether your full organization is eligible to certify today, you may want to begin engaging in the B Corp movement by certifying a subsidiary well suited for B Corp Certification. The subsidiary can then champion the value of the B Corp movement within the company, while providing a credible platform from which the parent can project leadership publicly.
There are a wealth of examples of partnerships between B Corp subsidiaries and parent companies. See ‘Examples’ section below for more detail.
Examples of large companies with Certified B Corp subsidiaries:
eligibility and requirements for subsidiaries
Download the guide to Certification for large companies for more details and contact B Lab to get started.
B Lab offers a suite of integrated tools to help large companies measure and manage their impact easily and efficiently, whether or not they are on the path to B Corp Certification.
With B Impact Management tools, your internal teams or subsidiaries can understand and celebrate impact performance and create plans to improve. The tools can also be used with suppliers and customers, providing a practical way to engage your stakeholders around your corporate values.
B Lab promotes mission-aligned legal structures like the Benefit Company that align the interests of business with those of society. The Benefit Company structure is important as it provides certainty and clarity for companies to be able to make long term decisions that benefit wider stakeholders as well as shareholders, rather than just focussing on short term financial returns. In Australia, B Lab is advocating for a new ‘opt-in’ legal company form, which if passed by the Australian government, will involve a minor amendment to the current Australian Corporations Act to recognise and enable purpose-driven directors. It will also offer entrepreneurs and investors a legal framework to build and invest in businesses that meet higher standards of corporate purpose, accountability, and transparency.
Contact us by filling out the form below and our team will be in touch shortly to discuss your goals and determine what engagement makes sense for your business.