B Corporations are companies that are certified by the nonprofit organization B Lab to meet certain standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. B Corporations are expected to uphold higher standards of social and environmental performance, be transparent about their impact, and are part of a community of purpose-driven businesses.
These companies are considered to be better than regular companies in a number of ways:
- B Corporations are required to consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders, not just shareholders. This means that they must take into account the interests of employees, customers, suppliers, the community, and the environment, as well as the financial interests of shareholders.
- B Corporations are held to high standards of social and environmental performance. In order to become certified, a company must demonstrate that it is meeting rigorous standards in areas such as environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and corporate governance.
- B Corporations are transparent about their social and environmental impact. They are required to report on their performance using standardized metrics, and this information is publicly available on the B Lab website.
- B Corporations are part of a growing community of purpose-driven companies. By becoming a B Corporation, a company can join a network of like-minded businesses that are committed to using their business as a force for good.
Petaluma became a Certified B Corporation in 2022. As a small business, our motivation was primarily to demonstrate a public commitment to social and environmental responsibility. As greenwashing continues to permeate the pet food industry, the B Corp logo can help consumers find socially and environmentally responsible products. The process of becoming a B Corporation involves a thorough assessment of social and environmental performance, governance, and transparency. During our own evaluation, we identified areas for improvement and now have a framework for ongoing performance measurement and accountability.
There are very few dog food companies in the U.S. that have completed B Corp certification, but they include Petaluma, Only Natural Pet, Earth Animal, and MPM Products. You can see a full directory of B Corporations.
