Complementary Badges
People and Planet First was developed to bridge across divides, recognise and complement existing verifications and certifications, and increase the global visibility of enterprises that prioritise people and planet over private profit. It focuses on 5 enterprise design standards to keep costs low.
Many verified enterprises have additional badges for their local context, their primary sector, or specific practices. Whenever possible, People and Planet First partners with other verifications and certifications to increase integration and interoperability and minimize the administrative burden for enterprises that put people and planet first.
Double Badges
Verifications and certifications that meet or exceed the 5 People and Planet First standards are recognised as “double badge.” Enterprises that have one of these badges are eligible for the global verification at no additional cost and with no additional document review.
Social enterprises exist to solve a social or environmental problem, have a self-sustaining revenue model, reinvest the majority of their surplus towards their purpose, and have a structure that protects their purpose long-term. They unlock social and environmental solutions that are not possible within grant-dependent nonprofit structures or within profit-maximising business structures. Fair trade enterprises meet the social enterprise standards and also require detailed assessments of workers, suppliers, trade practices, and other fair trade principles.
Eligible enterprises are encouraged to pursue one of these verifications or certifications so they can access additional member benefits and market opportunities.
Certified B Corps That Put People and Planet First
Verifications and certifications that focus on enterprise-level policies and practices and include all of an enterprise’s products and services are considered enterprise badges. Not all enterprise badges are eligible for double badge verification, but they may still be complementary. For example, there are certified B Corps that put people and planet first and are both B Corporation certified and People and Planet First verified. A comparison is shown below.
Overview
In-depth certification of policies and practices
Affordable verification of core purpose and enterprise design
Time Estimates
6-12 months
1-14 days
Cost Estimates
Pricing based on revenue and region. Annual fees start at $2,000. Additional fees vary by region.
Pricing based on the cost of reviewing 5 standards. $85 for initial review and $70 for annual renewal.
Minimum Structural Requirement
Considers people and planet. Legally able to consider the impact of decisions on all stakeholders. Structural protection from shareholder primacy.
Puts people and planet first. Exists to solve a social or environmental problem. Structural protection of purpose through periods of transition.
Use of Profits
No restriction on use of profits. Can take on extractive finance and prioritize shareholder profit.
Reinvests majority of profits towards purpose. Prioritises people and planet over profit.
Types of Enterprises
Eligibility limited to enterprises registered as for-profit companies with at least one year of operations. Includes subsidiaries of profit-maximising corporations.
Eligibility based on 5 standards. Includes startups and enterprises with not-for-profit structures. Subsidiaries of profit-maximising corporations not eligible.
Type of Assurance System
Third-party certification with centralized governance. Standards and processes belong to a central institution.
Participatory verification with distributed governance. Standards and processes belong to global participants.
Contributions to Broader Movement
Engages established businesses with traditional structures. Recognizes businesses that adopt responsible practices and achieve social and environmental targets.
Unlocks solutions that are not possible within traditional business structures. Increases visibility of enterprises that are regenerative and distributive by design.
As more companies with traditional financing and business structures pursue B Corp certification, B Corporations that exist to solve social and environmental problems are choosing People and Planet First and the double badge verifications and certifications as differentiators. Using these complementary badges demonstrates a commitment to rigorous social and environmental practices AND an “impact business model” that puts people and planet first.
Product Badges
There are also People and Planet First verified enterprises with social and environmental certifications related to specific operations, products, and supply chains. Examples of credible product badges are shown below.
There are product and supply chain certifications with rigorous processes that include site visits and laboratory testing, but it is important to remember that they only cover a specific set of standards. A product badge does not mean a business puts people and planet first. Profit-maximising corporations may pursue product certification to appeal to certain customer groups, while continuing extractive practices in other parts of the business. There are also many product badges developed by corporations and industry groups for marketing purposes.
People and Planet First can serve as a complementary badge to show a product is made by a non-extractive business with no profit-maximising investors and no financial pressure to engage in socialwashing and greenwashing. All surplus is reinvested towards the public good.