The Merit of Third Party Certifications
In today’s landscape, greenwashing has become ever so common, with tall claims of sustainability being tossed around so casually, it becomes rather hard for the average consumer to discern the genuineness of one initiative from the other.
A challenge that we often come across often at Bare Necessities is communicating our commitment to sustainability to our consumers. Sustainability lies at the core of everything that we do at Bare Necessities.
From our early days, Bare Necessities has been led with a meaningful purpose, aiming to create a positive impact on people and the planet. Over the years, we have been very fortunate to have built a community that is truly passionate for the good of the planet and wants to reflect the same via their choices.
That said, we still had to find a way to substantiate our commitments with tangible actions and verifiable evidence. In order to translate this in a digestible manner in accordance with globally accepted standards, we opted to go in for credible international certifications that would not only hold us accountable for our commitments, but also allow us to communicate our mission better.
Our products, packaging and company at large, have undergone rigorous testing and certifications by independent third party organisations and independent certifications to ensure that we are ideal for both people and the planet.
B Corp Certification:
B Corporation Certification, is conferred by B Lab, a global non-profit organisation. It is globally recognised as the Gold Standard when it comes to measuring a company’s comprehensive social and environmental impact.
The non-profit, B Lab, evaluates how a company sources its ingredients, supports its employees, engages with its communities and most importantly, how it minimises its environmental footprint.
Earning the B Corp Certification is a true mark of a business that only talks the talk, but also walks the walk.
We perceived the B Corp Certification process as a necessary step to reinforce our commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. It enhances our credibility as a responsible business and is a commitment to a holistic, sustainable ethos that resonates deeply with the values that the B Corp Certification upholds.
PETA Certification:
By virtue of design and attention to formulations, Bare Necessities products are vegan too. Finding cruelty free, vegan products for conscious consumers has now become easier with certifications helping to communicate that intent.
PETA is an esteemed certification that helps big and small brands, like ours, to showcase that social responsibility. In achieving the PETA certification, we are able to reach caring consumers to refuse to purchase products from corporations that abuse animals. Along the way, we are playing a role to end the use of animals in experiments.
Many of our suppliers are small scale vendors and traders, who do not have the bandwidth to take on a certification, even though they are cruelty free and ethical by practice. In the process of securing the PETA certification, we worked in close proximity with our suppliers, whom we oriented towards cruelty free, ethical practices, which we were already in motion.
Furthermore, when it comes to onboarding new vendors, we ensure that they too follow cruelty free practices, thereby upholding our commitment.
Circularity Assessment:
Bare Necessities business model and designs are rooted in concepts of circular economy, thereby creating an ecosystem of sustainable products and initiatives.
In 2024, Bare Necessities had the opportunity to work with EIT Climate-KIC to undertake a Circularity Assessment and Impact Study. EIT Climate - KIC is Europe’s leading climate innovation agency and community, which uses a systems approach to shape innovation and support cities, regions, countries and industries meet their climate ambitions.
Upon assuming the responsibility of the study, we received the Validation Certificate, whose objective is to assist us with sharing our impact story, while also providing a robust tool for engaging potential investors and clients.
To access the entire Validation Certificate, kindly email us on info@barenecessities.in
GHG Emissions Study:
The GHG Emissions Study was an impact metric that we had been meaning to calculate for many years and we were finally able to see it take shape through the GreenR programme, which is an initiative by TechnoServe India.
Bare Necessities had the privilege of being part of the GreenR cohort for the year 2024 and as part of the journey, we could have our GHG emissions mapped out.
To access the entire GHG Emissions Certificate, kindly email us on info@barenecessities.in
Besides these certifications, Bare Necessities also holds three ISO Certifications, namely
- ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
- ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System
- ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System
Esteemed independent third party certifications such as these validate a brand’s claims, and empower customers to make informed choices, knowing that their purchases support genuine ethical practices.
So, the next time that you’re out shopping, you know what to look out for :)