Company: BO Berlin Organics GmbH Number of employees: 5 Impact Business Model: “Toxin Reduction & Remediation”
Number of points before: 83.3 Number of points after: 85.4
Recertification takes place every three years. What has changed at Berlin Organics in terms of sustainability since the initial certification?
In the meantime, we have succeeded in obtaining FairWild™ certification for our fairly and directly traded baobab powder. FairWild is similar to the FairTrade seal for coffee or cocoa, but for wild-collected plants that cannot be cultivated in plantations or similar. The FairWild Standard is a set of guidelines designed to ensure the sustainable use and long-term survival of wild plant species in their habitats. The FairWild Standard consists of 11 principles and 29 criteria that take into account the ecological, social and economic requirements for sustainable wild collection. The FairWild Standard is implemented and monitored by the FairWild Foundation. As a company, we can prove the sustainability of our directly and fairly traded baobab powder with the certification from Berlin Organics.
You now have more points than before. Which measures stand out in particular, as a result of which you are now certified with more points?
Ultimately, there is not one single measure that stands out in particular. It is more about incremental improvements in different areas. For example, in the Impact Business Model, which recognizes the direct trade in baobab and the use of directly traded baobab powder from Zimbabwe in most of our products.
How much lead time did you have to prepare for the recertification process?
We had prepared the recertification a few weeks in advance. The entire recertification process then took a few months this time – partly slowed down by the additional challenges of the coronavirus crisis.
What was the most difficult part of the process?
We wouldn’t necessarily describe the recertification process as difficult. The real challenge – at least for us as a small team – is to provide the necessary time resources and to allow enough time for recertification in parallel with day-to-day business.
Was the recertification more difficult than the initial certification and if so, why?
We wouldn’t say that. If you were already personally involved in the initial certification, recertification may even be a little easier, as you already know the process and the questions and may also have the relevant data on hand for many areas.
What advice would you give to other B Corps who are about to be recertified?
As always, take a fun approach and perhaps get the person who was involved in the initial certification back on board for the recertification. This makes the process more effective.
More at: https://www.berlinorganics.de/
About Berlin Organics
Natural Ingredients. Premium Happiness – that’s what we stand for at Berlin Organics. We believe that nature provides everything we need for a healthy diet – without any artificial vitamins or pills. We offer a wide range of different brainfoods that follow exactly this principle. From healthy snacks and functional vitality drinks for better performance at work or at university, to vegan proteins and superfood powders. Real performance food for mind and body – we rely on a combination of natural vitamins, adaptogens, medicinal mushrooms and superfoods. All our products are organic, vegan and free from additives.
