Certified B Corp
Surface Matter
Date: 07.06.2024
Surface Matter has now become a Certified B Corporation
The material experts creating a takeback community join the growing movement of companies using business as a force for good.
07 June 2024, London — Surface Matter has today announced its certification as a B Corp, joining a growing movement of companies reinventing business for the benefit of all people and our planet. Verified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, the certification shows how Surface Matter meets high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability and is committed to continuous improvement beyond sales or profit.
As the ongoing climate crisis and widening social inequality continue to pose urgent challenges to our economy. B Corp Certification assesses the whole picture of operations, covering five main impact areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. The certification process is rigorous, and companies need to reach a score of at least 80 points in the B Impact Assessment, verified through evidence of responsible energy, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency. B Corps also legally confirm their commitment to purpose as well as profit in the company articles of association.
Surface Matter is now part of a growing community of over 8,000 businesses globally that have certified as B Corps.
The B Corp community in the UK is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the world, with over 2,000 companies spanning a range of different industries and sizes, and London is the capital of this. Names include Patagonia, Tony’s Chocolonely, The Big Issue, Finisterre, Elemis and Sipsmith Gin.
With a score of 97.6, Surface Matter have two Impact Business Models - Toxin Remediation and Wildlife/Land Conservation.
Scott Campbell, Managing Director of Surface Matter says,
"With so much of a project's impact determined in the design stage, how we work has incredible potential to build in positive change. We've evolved in exciting ways over the past 10 years with plenty more room to grow. People come to us because they know we'll tell them the truth. It's a big part of Surface Matter and the B Corp community helps inspire us to do better and create positive impact."
Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, says:
"Welcoming Surface Matter to the B Corp community is hugely exciting. Their commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and will help spread the notion that success in business is as much about people and planet as it is profit."
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About Surface Matter
Surface Matter believe in the potential of materials and help designers and architects use them better - whether that's selecting a beautiful surface for a new project or organising a takeback, they want to keep quality materials valuable forever. More about us.
About B Lab
B Lab is transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, our global network creates standards, policies, tools, and programs for business, and we certify companies — known as B Corps — who are leading the way. More than 280,000 companies manage their impact with the B Impact Assessment and the SDG Action Manager. B Lab has created and led efforts to pass over 50 corporate statutes globally that enable stakeholder governance, with over 10,000 companies using the legal framework. To learn more and join the movement, visit www.bcorporation.net.
About B Lab UK
As part of this global non-profit network, B Lab UK’s purpose is to redefine success in business through building a community of engaged businesses, raising awareness of the B Corp movement and influencing change in the UK economy. Find out more.
About B Corp Certification
B Corp Certification doesn’t just evaluate a product or service, it assesses the overall social and environmental impact of the company that stands behind it. To achieve B Corp Certification, a company must meet a score of at least 80 points on the B Impact Assessment, an evaluation of a company’s positive impact, and pass a risk review, an evaluation of a company’s negative impact; change their corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders; and exhibit transparency by allowing information about their B Corp Certification performance to be publicly available on their B Corp profile on B Lab’s website. B Corps recertify every three years and once certified, are expected to increase their score over time as they progress towards becoming more equitable, inclusive and regenerative businesses.
B Lab Contact media@bcorporation.uk
Surface Matter Contact studio@surfacematter.co.uk