Three years after becoming a certified B Corporation™ in 2023, Ricola has successfully completed the rigorous recertification process and is proud to be among the first companies to achieve this under B Lab’s new Standards V2.
Verified standards of responsibility
B Corp Certification is a globally recognised framework for responsible businesses. It is administered by the non-profit organisation B Lab™ to companies that meet verified standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. However, this certification is not a one-time achievement. Under B Lab’s new Standards V2, certified companies must demonstrate ongoing improvement and meet evolving requirements over time.
Committed to continuous improvement
For Ricola, becoming a B Corp in 2023 required a thorough analysis of our environmental, social, governance and business practices. Three years later, our successful recertification confirms that we continue to meet B Lab’s refined ‘Version 2’ standards. This milestone also reflects our ongoing efforts to review and improve how we operate. While recertification is another important step, we recognise that sustainability is a continuous process. We remain committed to closing existing gaps and addressing new challenges on our sustainability journey.
B Corp, short for Benefit Corporation, is a certification awarded to companies that maintain high standards of responsibility. B Corps consider the impact of their decisions on employees, customers, communities, and the environment, using business as a force for positive change.
Who is behind B Corp?
B Corp is a movement founded in 2006 by the non-profit organisation B Lab. Today, there are many B Labs around the world that form the B Global Network. The goal of B Lab is "to create a more inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economic system for all." B Lab develops and conducts the assessment for the B Corp certification.
How to become a B Corp?
To be awarded and maintain a B Corp certification, a company must undergo an assessment of its social and environmental performance on a regular basis. B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their actions on all stakeholders, and are committed to making business a positive driver for a better world.
What are B Lab’s Standards?
B Lab’s Standards define the criteria for becoming certified B Corp. With the introduction of the new version of standards in 2025, B Lab has moved away from cumulative point scoring. Under the new V2 standards, all B Corps must meet mandatory requirements across seven key social, environmental, and governance “Impact Topics.” Compliance with these standards is verified by an independent third party.
What has Ricola learned from the certification?
The B Corp certification helped Ricola understand the importance of documenting and tracking processes. A lot had been done, but not well documented. Improving this helped Ricola assess more precisely how the company, through its workforce, was already thinking and acting sustainably.
What are Ricola's responsibilities as a B Corp?
Being a B Corp is more than just having a certificate - it's about ensuring that all our actions have a sustainable impact. As such, Ricola is constantly trying to close existing gaps and address new issues in the sustainability journey. Being a B Corp gives the company direction without strictly limiting its activities.
Being a B Corp is not just an inward journey! For Ricola, the B Corp community is a great place to exchange ideas and discuss issues with like-minded companies.
