B Corp
B Corp Certification
Business with responsibility woven through it.
A framework for responsible business
B Corp Certification recognises businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.
Certified by B Lab, it reflects a commitment to considering the impact of business decisions on workers, communities, customers and the environment alongside financial performance.
At Johnstons of Elgin, becoming a Certified B Corporation in 2023 marked an important milestone in our ongoing sustainability journey.
For us, it is not a badge. It is a framework for continuous improvement and a way of holding ourselves accountable to the values that have shaped our business for more than 225 years.
Looking beyond the product
A B Corp is a business certified by B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, governance, transparency and accountability.
Certification looks across the whole business, evaluating how decisions affect people, communities and the environment.
Unlike certifications focused on a single product, material or process, B Corp considers the wider impact of an organisation and the role business can play in creating positive change.
B Corp Certification assesses how businesses create value for all stakeholders. It considers governance, workers, communities, customers and environmental impact.
Responsibility across the business
The environmental and social challenges facing the world today require action from every part of society, including business.
B Corp provides a framework that encourages companies to consider the wider impact of their decisions and recognise that long-term success depends on creating value for more than shareholders alone.
People
Supporting our employees through fair working practices, development opportunities and a workplace culture built around respect and wellbeing.
Communities
Contributing to the communities where we live and work through long-term employment, local investment and shared knowledge.
Environment
Working to reduce our environmental impact while safeguarding the natural resources that support our business.
Governance
Embedding responsibility, transparency and accountability into decision-making throughout the organisation.
A commitment built over generations
Many of the principles reflected in B Corp Certification have shaped Johnstons of Elgin for generations.
Since 1797, our business has been built around craftsmanship, long-term relationships and a deep respect for natural fibres. Manufacturing in Scotland remains at the heart of what we do, allowing us to retain oversight of our processes while preserving skills that have been passed from one generation to the next.
Achieving B Corp Certification in 2023 provided an opportunity to formally assess our practices against an internationally recognised standard and identify opportunities to strengthen our impact further.
The certification acknowledges work already underway across the business while providing a framework that supports future progress.
A framework for progress
Certification is not a one-time achievement.
B Corp encourages businesses to regularly review their practices, strengthen performance and respond to evolving expectations around responsible business.
Across Johnstons of Elgin, this approach supports ongoing work to understand our impact, improve transparency and strengthen the way we operate.
From the fibres we source to the way we manufacture, engage with our communities and support our employees, continuous improvement remains central to our sustainability journey.
Responsibility woven through the business
B Corp Certification does not sit separately from our sustainability commitments. It provides a framework that connects and strengthens them.
Responsible sourcing, environmental stewardship, manufacturing excellence and support for our people and communities are all part of how we seek to create positive impact as a business.
Together, these initiatives contribute to a broader commitment: creating exceptional products while acting responsibly towards the people and places connected to them.
B Corp Certification
What is a B Corp?
A Certified B Corporation is a company verified by B Lab to meet standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.
Who certifies B Corps?
B Corp Certification is administered by B Lab, the non-profit organisation responsible for developing and maintaining the standards used to assess businesses.
What does B Corp Certification mean for Johnstons of Elgin?
Certification reflects our commitment to responsible business practices and provides an independent framework through which we measure, manage and continually improve our impact.
Is B Corp Certification permanent?
No. Certified businesses must continue to demonstrate that they meet the certification requirements and remain accountable to evolving standards.
The journey continues
B Corp Certification gives us a framework for understanding where we are, where we can improve and how we continue to create positive impact across our business.
