Sustainability certifications, frameworks, guides, etc. have been trending in the last decade, and more will be in the future. It seems that all companies are looking for the next “best” certification to stick onto their branding and websites. While this proliferation of terms and labels certainly justifies the fear of increasing greenwashing, it is also a great example of the changing times. 

B Corp certification differs from others because it is an all-encompassing assessment that evaluates how every business decision impacts people, planet, and profit. Compared to other evaluations, the B Impact Assessment is not a reporting system but a comprehensive approach that builds on standards such as GRI and IRIS, amongst others. Want to compare different sustainability assessments? Check out the new Impact management project.

When you hear B Corp Certification, you tend to get responses like: 

• It is a Holistic Approach
• It is a Movement

While other certifications assess your business and simply give a stamp of approval, B Corp certification goes beyond mere commitments to sustainability, impact, net-zero and leads to a collaborative movement of action and systems change.

Becoming a B Corp means joining an all-encompassing community of companies committed to the same vision and goals that support your impact goals, advance your performance, and guide you through crucial business decisions.

As a certified B Corp, Quest Studio team has the privilege of knowing the community from the inside and has experienced the credibility and the power this collective movement is making across the globe. We strongly believe that this is only the beginning of the endless ripples of change to come. That is why Quest Studio is part of B Corp Way, a platform that enables businesses to find B Corp consultancies to help them address impact challenges. As B Lab’s selected partner in Belgium, we offer mentorship focused on scaling impact.

The certification process is definitely not easy, nor should it be. The numbers show that only one out of every three companies gets certified. Ultimately, the process is intended to be a pulse check of how your business decisions impact society and an in-depth review of your action plan.

We advised all companies seeking to certify to use and trust the framework. Not getting to 80? The B Corp Assessment provides you with the recommendations you need to reach that goal. The steps are paved out for you to take – it’s just about taking them. We know this is all easier said than done and if we have learned anything from the Paris Agreement or even COP27, it’s that good intention is worthless without tangible action…. But isn’t it time we acted?

No business, sustainable or otherwise, is perfect, nor is any sustainability certification. 

Becoming B Corp certified means that you are committing to continuously pushing the boundaries to help shift the paradigm to a more inclusive and sustainable economy. It is a marathon, not a sprint: becoming a certified B Corp is just the beginning of the journey, not the end goal. That is why B Corps have to go through a recertification process every three years to verify if the company is acting on its goals and commitments and is improving its impact. 

One of the movement’s foundational principles is continuous improvement. That is why, just like its certified companies, and third-party assessor, the B Impact Assessment also updates every three years to adapt to the global feedback, other standards organizations, and regulations from government bodies globally. 

In September 2022, B Lab introduced the latest standards for B Corp Certification, which will be moving away from the 80-point score to one where all B Corps must meet requirements on ten specific topics that define leadership on social, governance, and environmental business impact.

Ultimately, the Movement and certification are part of a learning journey that is constantly adapting to push systems to be more inclusive and sustainable for all. We’re glad to be on this transparent journey and hope to guide you through it too.