SW is B-Corp Certified

SW has always been steadfast in prioritizing sustainability in the glove industry, and prides itself in maintaining a sustainable business model. Not only in protecting the environment but engaging in ethical business praxis. The SW brand has always recognized that social and environmental responsibility is a necessity and the core to running a successful, sustainable business. These beliefs are not just empty promises either. SW has proved this again and again through third party certifications awarded by neutral third party investigative organizations.

Previous certifications and awards given to SW include: California Green Business Certification, SA8000 Certification, and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified. Regarding SW’s California Green Business certification, SW meets all 65 criteria that the company operates in an environmentally responsible manner.

 

California Green Businesses collectively aim to reduce their carbon footprint by conserving their water usage, waste production, and energy usage. The SA8000 certification, mentioned along SW’s other certifications, was developed by the Social Accountability International Organization and verifies a company is not practicing oppressive workforce conditions like child labor, forced/compulsory labor, unsafe workplace environments, union busting, or workplace discrimination.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification guarantees that products are made from materials sourced from responsibly managed forests, confirming that they provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. FSC is an organization that has been around since 1995 and has certified over 3000 other US companies. With these certifications under its belt, SW is proud to announce that our brand is now B-Corp certified as well!

B Lab is the non-profit organization in charge of B-Corp certifications and they were founded in 2006 based on the idea that it is possible to create an equitable and sustainable economy. “Together, we are shifting our global economy from a system that profits few to one that benefits all: advancing a new model that moves from concentrating wealth and power to ensuring equity, from extraction to generation, and from prioritizing individualism to embracing interdependence.”(B Lab). The B stands for “Benefit for all.” B Lab has identified that the current economic system of the world is failing to create positive change. Thus, leading it to enlist companies as a collective group in pursuing restorative praxis starting from within their own businesses. Companies must meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency in order to become B-Corp certified.

 

It is a holistic process, where companies need to pass a high social and environmental performance evaluation, make a legal commitment by changing their governing structure to be accountable towards all stakeholders, and allow performance data comparisons to be made public on the B Lab website. B Lab’s holistic assessment (B Impact Assessment), which must be renewed every 3 years, is centered around 5 thematic pillars: How your company is taking care of your workers, how your company considers all stakeholders, how your company gives back to the community, how much of a positive impact your company has in your customer’s lives, and how much of a positive impact your company has on the environment.

Once a company has passed B Lab’s assessment they reap the benefits of increasing their brand’s credibility and having access to like-minded employees, customers, and potential business partners. B Lab reports that they have positively impacted over 150 industries in over 80 countries. SW is proud to be included in the global community of businesses striving to transform our economy. It further reaffirms our company’s pledge towards practicing an ethical and sustainable business model. Our B-Corp certification aligns with our brand’s commitment in continuous improvement, working every day to become better for our customers, workers, and the environment.