As the climate crisis worsens and media coverage pressures the corporate world to take more environmentally conscious steps, companies are looking for ways to prove to consumers they are taking on the challenge. The Certified-B Corporation standard for companies provides a solution. By applying to the B-Corporation certification, companies must undergo a rigorous evaluation of their business model and regular practices, which are reviewed over a period of at least six months in order to gage the environmental and social impact of a company. Companies with a score of at least 80 receive the certification, after which they pay an annual fee to remain certified that is based off of their annual sales.
Fashion X B Corps
Most Certified B fashion brands are not major companies, as many major fashion companies engage in fast fashion practices of unfair, underpaid labor and unsustainable production. However, there is one that is quite famous, and may even be hanging in your closet right now. Patagonia is an outdoor clothing company that is B Certified because of their commitments to decent wages, workers rights, and environmental protection. One example of their work for the environment is their Worn Wear program, in which customers can trade in their worn Patagonia items for credit and other customers can purchase the used clothing from their website. Another fairly popular Certified B fashion brand is Allbirds, a sneaker company that makes their shoes from merino wool as opposed to synthetic material. The initiatives of these companies and others show efforts to become more frugal, as they strive to make well made, long-lasting clothing.
Why are B Corps Important?
Given the greenwashing that goes on within our society, which is especially rampant in the fashion industry, consumers are looking for sources they can trust to be sustainable. Fast fashion brands have caught on to this with their eco-conscious lines designed to convince consumers their products are fairly made and not grossly overproduced. B certification gives consumers the peace of mind that if they need to purchase a product, they are purchasing something that has been made by workers who are ethically treated, paid well, and made with sustainable materials.
How can you support B Certification?
Like the idea of B Certification and want to find more fashion (or other) companies who have it? You can check out the global directory to find the companies that exist in your location. Alternatively, you can also explore B Certified companies through the different regional pages. Of course, some of your favorite sustainable and ethical brands might not be B Certified. By commenting and engaging on social media or even reaching out to these brands, you can inquire whether they have started the process of certification or whether they have heard of the process at all, thereby raising awareness about the certification. Who knows, maybe you will help a brand realize the importance of being certified!