November 22, 2024
How ISO Standards support the journey to B Corp Certification
At first glance, B Corp certification and ISO standards might seem like competing frameworks for businesses aiming to prove their commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Like many, our belief was these two systems were mutually exclusive. However, after a presentation by Alison from Kindred CSR, we realised that ISO standards are not competitors to B Corp certification; rather, they complement it, offering a solid foundation for the rigorous B Corp journey. Alison explained how ISO standards serve as stepping stones that help businesses streamline their processes and demonstrate their commitments, ultimately making the B Corp certification process smoother.
A key takeaway from Alison’s presentation was the importance of an overarching Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy. This strategy ties together a company’s commitment, mission, vision, values, and culture. It provides a clear structure for setting goals, objectives, and targets. The strategy includes measurable pillars such as environmental performance, human rights and labour, ethical practices, and community engagement—key areas that B Corp also emphasises.
One of the first steps in building an ESG strategy is conducting a materiality assessment, which identifies the most critical social and environmental issues for the business. This assessment is not only a requirement for setting long-term sustainability goals but also helps businesses align with both ISO standards and B Corp certification requirements. By determining what matters most to the business, companies can prioritise actions that have the greatest impact on their sustainability journey.
Alison outlined how different ISO standards can fit into the ESG framework:
- ISO 9001: is concerned with quality management, tying directly into customer service and satisfaction.
- ISO 14001: supports environmental management, aligning with the environmental pillar of ESG.
- ISO 45001: covers occupational health and safety, fitting under the human rights and labour category.
- ISO 27001: focuses on information security, which aligns with ethical business practices and governance.
These ISO certifications create a structured approach to managing and improving key business areas, which are also highly valued in the B Corp certification process.
The journey towards both ISO certification and B Corp status involves a similar process of setting key performance indicators (KPIs), establishing policies, and implementing measures and training. Continuous improvement plays a significant role in both frameworks, as businesses are encouraged to build on their objectives and results over time. Monitoring, reporting, and auditing processes ensure that companies are not just meeting but exceeding their goals in sustainability and social responsibility.
While ISO standards help create a strong foundation, the B Corp certification process itself is distinct and rigorous. Businesses must undergo a thorough assessment that evaluates their impact on workers, customers, the environment, and the community.
Interestingly, Alison also noted that the UK is the second fastest-growing market for B Corp certification, reflecting a growing interest in aligning business practices with sustainability goals. For companies that already have ISO certifications in place, the transition to B Corp certification can be significantly easier, as they have already implemented many of the systems and processes required by B Corp.
Alison’s presentation made it clear that rather than being in competition, ISO standards and B Corp certification are highly complementary. ISO standards provide a robust, measurable structure that can guide businesses as they work toward the B Corp certification. Companies that start their sustainability journey with ISO standards are better equipped to meet the stringent requirements of becoming a certified B Corp, making ISO standards the perfect first step on this journey. To discuss this further please reach out to one of our team today at 0330 058 5551.
