The global environmental award hit by accusations of greenwashing

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on the BBC or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: U.S. soap maker Dr Bronner's has exited the global B Corp certification scheme, criticizing it for allowing multinationals with controversial records to join
• The company, a longtime advocate for ethical sourcing and social justice, accused B Corp of enabling “greenwashing” by firms like Nespresso, which was granted certification despite past child labor allegations in its supply chain
• Dr Bronner’s departure highlights growing tensions within sustainability accreditation systems

🔭 The context: B Corp, launched in 2006, now counts over 9,600 certified companies globally, with assessments based on a flexible points system
• Critics argue this system allows weak performance in some areas to be offset by strengths in others
• While B Lab (which oversees B Corp) defends its processes, it plans to roll out stricter criteria by 2026, replacing the point-based model with mandatory minimums across key environmental and social domains

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The credibility of certification schemes like B Corp is crucial in guiding consumer trust and corporate accountability
• If too lenient, they risk undermining genuine sustainability efforts and fueling skepticism
• Dr Bronner’s exit raises questions about the rigor of voluntary standards and whether they adequately challenge large firms to uphold robust environmental and ethical practices across their supply chains

⏭️ What's next: B Lab’s upcoming standards overhaul includes mandatory criteria, third-party verification, and continuous improvement obligations
• These changes aim to address criticism and tighten oversight, especially of larger firms
• Meanwhile, Dr Bronner’s has launched an alternative initiative, the “Purpose Pledge,” focused on supply chain integrity, living wages, and accountability
• The evolution of both models may influence how companies choose to demonstrate sustainability commitments

💬 One quote: “The integrity of the B Corp certification has become compromised and remaining certified now contradicts our mission.” – Dr Bronner’s statement

📈 One stat: Over 96% of B Corp-certified companies are small and medium-sized enterprises, yet high-profile multinationals like Nespresso increasingly dominate attention

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of Nestlé, and its peers Unilever and Procter & Gamble

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