Our Journey to Becoming a B Corp

The path is challenging, often taking years to navigate, but – we believe – the rewards are immeasurable.

For anyone who might be considering embarking on the B Corp process, here’s a glimpse into our journey and what it means for our future.

From the outset, we knew that achieving B Corp certification would not be straightforward.

The process demands a comprehensive evaluation of business practices, assessing everything from our environmental impact to how we treat our employees, suppliers, and community. It’s a holistic approach that goes deep on the very essence of how we operate.

When we first filled out the B Impact Assessment (BIA) in June 2022, we scored 41.6 points – far below the threshold to achieve B Corp status. Over the following 10 months, we used it as a framework for improvement and action.

The B Impact Assessment process is exhaustive and meticulous. It required us to provide detailed documentation and quantifiable evidence of our sustainability practices. This meant reviewing and often overhauling our existing policies and procedures, and involved long hours of data collection, analysis, and continuous improvement.

One of the most significant hurdles was ensuring that all aspects of our operations aligned with the B Corp standards. This required buy-in from every level of our organization, fostering a culture that prioritizes ethical practices and sustainability.

It was not just about meeting the minimum requirements but about pushing ourselves to be better in every part of our business.

In April 2023, we submitted our final assessment. We achieved certification a year later, with a score of 86.4 – a huge improvement on where we had been a year previously.

Finalized questions of the BIA and started improvements.

B Lab determined that &Open is eligible to certify, and meet the requirements for the certification.

&Open completed documentation request and waited for B Lab to assign an analyst for Verification of responses.

&Open submitted Verification tasks: data about suppliers, employees and Mission Lock.

B Lab reviewed and verified &Open’s BIA responses with documentation, and worked with &Open to complete any additional requirements for certification.

B Lab wrapped up additional certification requirements with Then we signed the B Corporation Agreement.

For &Open, becoming a B Corp is more than a certification; it’s a testament to our dedication to sustainability and social responsibility. It demonstrates to our customers, partners, and community that we are serious about making a positive impact.

We’re proud to join the global community of B Corps, committed to using business as a force for good. And the journey doesn’t end here – this is just the first step in our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and sustainable growth.

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