// The Body Shop announces its B Corp certification, joining other businesses committed to sustainability
// It calls for other retailers to work together and make real change happen for people & the planet
The Body Shop has announced its B Corp certification, joining other companies that are driving change in society through ethical and sustainable business.
B Corp companies are spread across the world and all commit to doing business in a way that does good for both people and the planet.
B Corp is a branch of B Lab, a non-profit body serving a global movement of people using business as a force for good.
READ MORE: The Body Shop launches new concept store with activism zone & refill stations
By gaining the certification, The Body Shop now joins its parent company, Natura, the world’s first listed B Corp firm.
In November 2017, the global beauty brand completed a three-stage process of pre-screening, assessment and verification that led to the certification.
To certify as a B Corp, performance is analysed across five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.
Contributing towards the performance is The Body Shop’s famous Forever Against Animal Testing campaign, where the company brought eight million signatures to the UN in an effort to end cosmetic testing on animals.
The campaign alongside its 30-plus year Community Fair Trade programme, sourcing natural ingredients and accessories from economically vulnerable communities around the world, were key contributions to the B Corp certification.
The certification is awarded to business that are able to meet the highest standards in social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.
“The Body Shop is joining the B Corp movement at an incredibly exciting time; the planet and society need more fully-committed responsible businesses.” The Body Shop Chief executive David Boynton said.
B Lab Chief marketing officer Anthea Kelsick said: “We are thrilled that The Body Shop has joined the B Corp movement at this pivotal time for our global economy.
“The world needs more brands like The Body Shop who create real, long-term value for their customers, communities, workers, suppliers, and the environment, alongside their shareholders.”
To mark the certification, The Body Shop is developing a set of new sustainability strategies that will be announced in early 2021.
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