05/25/2020

The B Corp label attests to the positive social and environmental impact of Ethos on society. It rewards almost 25 years of commitment to responsible investment and promotion of a stable and sustainable socio-economic environment for the benefit of present and future civil society. With 109 points, Ethos ranks directly among the best professional services companies involved in the B Corp movement.

Ethos Services SA received B Corp certification this Monday. The label, awarded by the non-profit organization B Lab, attests to the positive social and environmental impact of Ethos on society. It is based on a detailed assessment of the company in five areas: governance, employee policies, customer and community relations, and respect for the environment.

Ethos thus joins a growing community of 3’300 companies that are already certified B Corp worldwide, including Patagonia, the sustainable bank Triodos, Opaline and The Guardian. However, it is the first company specialising in active shareholding to be awarded such certification.

The assessment is based on a list of 250 questions, concerning the company's relations with its employees, its energy consumption, its proximity to its partners and the way in which its activities have a positive or negative impact on society. In the end, Ethos obtained a notable score of 109 points, well above the 80 points required for certification, which places it among the best professional services firms involved in the B Corp movement.

The certification process was an opportunity for Ethos to validate long-term achievements, such as its independence guaranteed by first-class governance, its transparency towards all its stakeholders and its services dedicated to sustainable development. Moreover, Ethos has already identified and implemented measures that will enable it to make further progress during the next assessments, which will take place every three years.

The B Corp certification rewards a nearly 25-year commitment by Ethos to promote socially responsible investment and good governance, but also to defend sustainable capitalism and promote a stable and prosperous socio-economic environment for current and future civil society. Finally, it demonstrates the common values that unite Ethos and the B Corp movement, starting with the promotion of good governance and the fight against climate change and social injustices.

“At a time when crises are multiplying, whether it is a health and socio-economic crisis with the coronavirus or when we think of climate change and the biodiversity crisis, it is more important than ever to rethink our economic model and to redefine the role of business in society", says Ethos’ CEO Vincent Kaufmann. This is precisely one of the tasks Ethos and B Corp have set for themselves, namely to work towards the advent of a circular and regenerative economy for a more inclusive and sustainable world. »

For Ethos, it is also important to lead by example and to encourage other economic players to improve their environmental and social practices, in particular Swiss listed companies with which Ethos maintains a continuous dialogue.

"With a total of 109 points, Ethos is one of the leaders in Switzerland but also internationally," underlines Jonathan Normand, founder and executive director of B Lab Switzerland. From 100 points upwards, we consider that a company not only has a positive impact on society through its behavior, but that the very nature of its services or products has a long-term positive effect on stakeholders, including the environment, which is the case for Ethos. »

About B Corporations®

Certified B Corporations are for-profit companies that use the power of business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. They meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. To date, there are more than 3'300 B Corps in 150 industries and 70 countries around the world.

About B Lab®

B Lab is a nonprofit that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for good™. Their initiatives include B Corp Certification, administration of the B Impact Management programs, and advocacy for governance structures like the benefit corporation. B Lab’s vision is of an inclusive and sustainable economy that creates a shared prosperity for all.

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