Living our values has always driven our success, and our commitment to sustainability will be no different. To this end, Codex has been working towards certification with B Corp, the gold standard in organisational sustainability certification.
B Corp is a designation that a business meets the highest standards of verified performance, accountability and transparency, on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving, to supply chain practices and environmental footprint. Certification is holistic, not exclusively focused on any single social or environmental issue. With the B Corp framework ensuring consideration of sustainability at all levels of the business, we are confident that all of our sustainability intentions, commitments and initiatives will be impactful and long-lasting.
Applying for our B Corp certification has touched every area of our business, from the top down and the bottom up. To satisfy B Corp legal requirements, our company constitution was amended to set the purpose as to deliver returns to members whilst having an overall positive impact on society and the environment. And in reality, this was one of the simpler changes and improvements made to prepare for B Corp certification. The process has been significant in its impact on our operations, governance and commitments.
Notable areas relevant for Codex included:
- Measuring employee satisfaction.
- Improving company policies and processes.
- Financial transparency.
- Measuring and reducing environmental footprint.
- Client and supply chain assessments.
- Charitable and pro-bono work.
This is far from an exhaustive list. There was no question as to the thoroughness of the certification process. The uplift and reflection it has already catalysed, both broadly and deeply, was worth it in itself. The value unlocked from achieving the certification, on our brand, operations and governance, will truly only be understood in the long run.
With our application now submitted, Codex couldn’t be more excited to work through the review with assessors and secure B Corp Certification in 2024.