The answer is obvious: it depends. Whenever we consider whether to take advantage of certification opportunities, it is worth considering a few issues. First of all, it is worth asking yourself the following questions „What do I certify?” i „Why do I certify?”
Certification is a process in which an external entity sets a certain standard, and then various companies check whether the subject of certification complies with that standard. If so, we receive a certificate that confirms this and only this—the compliance of the subject of certification with the standard. The level of detail of the standard may vary, as may the certification procedure itself. Sometimes it consists of self-assessment, and sometimes it requires confirmation by an external entity.
The first of the questions („What do I certify?”) will allow us to reject many certificate providers who sell certificates for items that cannot be certified. For example, I can certify a specific set of documents, such as codes and policies that I have established in the company to ensure that due diligence processes are in place. The documents can be compared to established standards, and it can also be verified whether they were created in a specific (i.e., standard-compliant) manner. However, I cannot certify how these documents function in my organization. Therefore, it is not possible to obtain a certificate confirming that, as an organization, we care about human rights or that we conduct a proper dialogue with stakeholders.
The second question („Why do I certify?”) refers to the motivation that drives us to seek certification. Do we want to obtain a sufficiently high level of certainty that the subject of certification complies with the standard? Or is it more about obtaining an alibi in front of management, customers, or external stakeholders? In the former case, certification is worth considering. If we expect a candidate to have a foreign language certificate in the recruitment process, we cannot be sure that an employee with such a certificate will be able to cope in every situation requiring knowledge of that language, but there is a high probability that this will be the case. We have not gained certainty, but we have reduced the risk. In the latter case, i.e., wanting to obtain an alibi, we can improve our mood by gaining peace of mind, but only until something bad happens. If that happens, no certificate will protect us from the consequences.
In recent months, at least a few companies have asked me whether it is worth becoming a B Corp. The idea of B Corps originated in the United States, but is gradually becoming more popular around the world. The movement is coordinated by a non-profit organization. B Lab. The certification process that a company must undergo to obtain B Corp status is quite demanding. However, it is worth remembering that the criteria were developed over a decade and a half ago. In the meantime, sustainability management has evolved significantly. I am convinced that companies that are well prepared to report in accordance with the CSRD directive and ESRS standards will have no major problems in obtaining this certification. On the other hand, becoming a B Corp will not replace reporting obligations, but it will not hinder their fulfillment in any way. An unquestionable advantage of the B Corp movement is certainly the opportunity to exchange experiences, both within a single industry and between companies belonging to different sectors of the economy.
Certificates can help if we consciously choose the subject and method of certification. They can also be harmful if we simply want to buy ourselves peace of mind. In the end, it always turns out that sustainable development management is a daily task and a process of continuous improvement. The same applies to management in general.
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