Certifications for Purpose-Led Brands
Some of the different certifications available and knowing which one is right for your business.
It’s no secret that mission driven and purpose-led brands are gaining significant traction and market share. The growing cohort of conscious consumers increasingly favouring companies that demonstrate a genuine commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
But with the rise in greenwashing, inflated impact claims and marketing speak it can be hard to cut through the bullsh*t and get to the truth of what an organisations is actually doing to be better for their people and the planet.
For brands looking to stand out, certifications can be a powerful tool to enhance credibility, trust, and prove operational sustainability. Here’s a list of the main certifications purpose-led brands are getting on board with to help communicate their commitments.
B Corp Certification
B Corp Certification is a globally recognised certification that evaluates a company’s entire social and environmental performance. The certification process is rigorous, covering governance, workers, community, environment and customers.
Features:
Comprehensive impact assessment tool that can be used to measure your progress and improvements: B Impact Assessment
Requirement for continuous improvement and re-certification with the standards and governance continuously being reviewed
Public transparency and promotion through the B Corp directory of certified businesses and brands
Benefits:
Enhanced brand credibility and trust with a globally recognised certification.
Access to a global community of like minded purpose-driven businesses and leaders
Attraction and retention of top talent wanting to work for B Corp organisations.
Ideal For: Medium to large businesses committed to high social and environmental standards, and companies seeking global recognition and networking opportunities.
Example B Corp Brands: Aesop, Kathmandu, Keep Cup, Bellroy, Who Gives A Crap
1% for the Planet
1% for the Planet is a membership network where businesses commit to donating 1% of their annual sales to the program’s environmental causes.
Features:
Easy membership process that renews each year with proof of earnings and donations
Support from 1% for the Planet in identifying credible nonprofit partners with flexibility in choosing donation recipients that align with a brand’s mission and values.
Join as a business or as an individual, with options to incorporate volunteering and pro bono work alongside monetary donations within the giving framework
Benefits:
Clear and direct impact with financial donations to vetted environmental projects
Global virtual office hours to meet other like minded brands and individuals in the program
Positive brand perception with highly recognisable certification and pre-prepared messaging to help with easy communication across brand packaging and marketing channels
Ideal For: Solopreneurs, small to medium businesses wanting to make a direct financial contribution to environmental causes and companies looking for a straightforward, impactful way to demonstrate environmental commitment.
Example 1% For The Planet Brands: Patagonia, Pukka, Avocado, Nouvelle Nomad (me!)
Climate Neutral Certification
Climate Neutral focuses on measuring, reducing, and offsetting carbon emissions. The certification process ensures companies take comprehensive steps towards carbon neutrality.
Features:
A license to use the Climate Neutral Certification label on products and marketing as long as you stay certified
Accessible tools for marketing, communications, and reduction planning
A community to meet and collaborate with other climate focussed professionals and businesses
Benefits:
Demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing climate change.
Provides a clear framework for approaching carbon reduction and management.
Builds consumer trust through support for verified carbon offset projects.
Ideal For: Businesses of all sizes aiming to reduce their carbon footprint, especially companies in industries with significant environmental impact seeking to lead in climate action.
Example Climate Neutral Certified Brands - Allbirds, Sendle, Kora Organics, Kickstarter
Fair Trade Certification
Fair Trade certification improves the livelihoods of farmers and workers in developing countries, ensuring they receive fair wages and work in safe conditions.
Features:
Certification across a wide range of food and natural resource product categories.
Sets the standards for fair wages, safe working conditions, and sustainable practices.
Fair Trade Premium investment in community projects.
Benefits:
Strengthens and gives confidence in supply chain sustainability efforts.
Supports ethical sourcing and responsible consumerism.
Enhances brand reputation among ethically-minded consumers with one of the most highly recognised ethical labels in the world
Ideal For: Food and beverage companies and any business sourcing products from developing regions, particularly those committed to ethical supply chain management.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certified
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria, backed by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.
Features:
Comprehensive criteria covering the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, trading, and distribution of textiles.
Mandatory criteria for environmental management and social compliance.
Certification involves annual on-site inspection.
Benefits:
Ensures the organic status of textiles from harvesting through to end consumer.
Supports sustainable production processes and social criteria.
Enhances brand credibility and consumer trust in textile products.
Ideal For: Textile and apparel companies, brands producing home textiles, and any business involved in the organic textile supply chain, committed to sustainable and ethical production practices.
Australian Certified Organic (ACO)
ACO certifies organic products in Australia, ensuring they meet stringent organic standards from production to labeling.
Features:
Rigorous organic standards documented to make it easy for operators to ensure they are compliant
Regular audits and inspections for participating brands and products.
Recognition by international organic standards.
Benefits:
Assurance of product quality and integrity for certified products and brands
Access to growing organic conscious markets domestically and internationally.
Consumer trust in certified organic products with recognisable certification logos and messaging
Ideal For: Food and beverage producers, cosmetic brands, and agricultural businesses looking to enter or expand in the organic market.
Climate Active Certification
Climate Active is an Australian government-backed certification for businesses and organisations that have achieved carbon neutrality. To achieve certification you must measure emissions, reduce these where possible, offset remaining emissions and then publicly report on your achievement.
Features:
Detailed carbon footprint assessment.
Requirements for emissions reduction plans.
Annual verification process.
Benefits:
Government endorsement adds credibility.
Demonstrates leadership in environmental responsibility.
Can attract environmentally conscious consumers and partners.
Ideal For: Businesses of all sizes seeking to achieve and demonstrate carbon neutrality, particularly those wanting government-backed credibility and support.
The Case For Certification
These certifications along with many other options available each offer unique benefits and cater to different aspects of social impact and environmental responsibility.
Whether it's achieving carbon neutrality, supporting fair trade, or committing to a percentage of sales for the planet, these certifications can significantly enhance your brand’s reputation and visibility in the right market.
Take the time to explore the associated costs, resources, time and auditing commitments and features of each program to choose an approach that best fits your brand’s mission and values, and take a meaningful step towards embedding sustainability and purpose into your business.
And remember - signing up for any of these programs is a strategic long term commitment - not a short term marketing activity. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of brands showing certifications for performative and surface level reasons. So make sure it’s on brand and aligns with your how you’re executing on your vision, mission and values.
