What does being a B Corp mean to us? | B Corp Month
A month dedicated to celebrating what it means to be a B Corp, raising awareness of the movement and educating diverse audiences on the importance of transforming economic systems to be better. Through global campaigns, the initiative spreads one unified message - highlighting the significance of the B Corp Certification, to foster understanding, meaning and trust. During this month, the focus is to spotlight businesses that are both socially and environmentally responsible, showcasing how they use business as a force for good. It sheds light to show that companies of all sizes and fields can do business differently. It is possible to balance purpose and profit while considering the well being of all stakeholders, from customers to employees to communities, the environment and shareholders.
This momentous month is of deep significance to us at Bare Necessities. We are incredibly proud to be a Certified B Corporation, making us the first FMCG company in India to earn this prestigious certification.
But before we go ahead, what is B Corporation Certification?
B Corporation Certification is conferred by the global non-profit organisation, B Lab. It is widely regarded as the gold standard for measuring a company’s comprehensive social and environmental impact. The certification process is rigorous, intensive, aiming to evaluate every aspect of a company’s operations from sourcing to supporting its employees and engagement with its larger communities.
Companies that have earned the B Corp status include Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s Aesop, The Body Shop, to name a few. They are recognised not only for their innovative products, but also for their deep commitment to the triple bottom line. Leading by example, these companies go to show that businesses can thrive while prioritising social and environmental responsibility.
What does it mean for us to be B Corporation Certified?
Achieving the B Corporation status was a long standing dream for us at Bare Necessities. The certification is a holistic assessment of a company's performance. It involves detailed questions, thorough documentation and several rounds of intensive interviews with evaluators. The certification is issued once a company receives a score of 80 points. This process is intensive and to us it felt particularly more so, since we are a small, lean team. Our efforts paid off as we achieved a score of over 100 points, well above the requisite points for certification.
Sustainability has been at the core of what we do and truly a guiding tenet for us. While undergoing the B Corp Certification, we learnt so much about how we could strengthen our own processes, thereby building operational hygiene while also expanding our definition on the concept of sustainability across different company verticals. As a young brand, it gave us a structured framework that became the basis for how we planned out our initiatives through the years.
As a small business truly striving to make a change, we often find greenwashing becoming increasingly prevalent, making it hard for us to stand out for our truly sustainable practices. With many companies making sustainability claims that are often riddled with greenwashing practices, we wanted to differentiate ourselves by proving our dedication through verifiable evidence.
That’s where B Corp came in. It helped us to validate our efforts and empower our customers to make informed choices, knowing that their purchases support a truly ethical brand.
Being B Corp Certified is about balancing purpose and profit. It means that Bare Necessities is being a force for good. Therefore, positively influencing our employees, suppliers, customers and the larger community around us. We abide by the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.
As we continue to move ahead, we will continue to innovate, improve and expand our impact. Together, with other B Corp companies across the world, we’re collectively working towards a future where a business can stand tall as a force for good.
And with us, you are also equally contributing to a brighter future, paving the way for sustainable, green change, all around.
