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Ben & Jerry's joins list of 'socially responsible' businesses

October 24, 2012

Ben & Jerry's this week announced that it is the first wholly-owned subsidiary to become a Certified B Corp.

The B Corporation movement is a network of companies that meet what Inc. magazine has called "the highest standard for socially responsible businesses."

The move was supported by Unilever, Ben & Jerry's parent company, as consistent with Ben & Jerry's mission and is also aligned with Unilever's sustainability agenda.

"Becoming a Certified B Corp is an important step, not only because it re-affirms our deep commitment to values-led business practices, but also because it affirms how Ben & Jerry's and Unilever work together to advance our Social Mission," said Jeff Furman, Ben & Jerry's board chair.

B Corporations are certified by nonprofit organization, B Lab.

"Ben & Jerry's has always believed that a successful business creates prosperity for all stakeholders," said Jay Coen Gilbert, co-founder of B Lab. "Meeting the rigorous standards to become a Certified B Corp demonstrates that Ben & Jerry's cares about more than nice beliefs, it cares about verified and transparent performance."

Ben & Jerry's requirements to earn its B Corp certification are available online www.bcorporation.net/benjerry. Highlights of the brand's B Impact Report include: 45 percent of its cost of goods sold go toward investing in and supporting small scale suppliers through the Caring Dairy program; 100 percent of its U.S. pint containers are made with FSC-certified paperboard; and its lowest paid hourly worker receives 46 percent above the living wage.

"We are pleased to join the community of Certified B Corps because responsible business is what the world needs and increasingly, what consumers want, so it's just good business," said Jostein Solheim, Ben & Jerry's CEO. "There is a tremendous upside to being linked more closely to other companies on the socially responsible journey."

Read more about sustainability efforts.