Responsible Business Standards

The UK has a number of interesting certification models to help businesses support their approach to ESG and social good, value and impact.

At Resolute Purpose, we believe that how an organisation chooses to operate is as important as the results it delivers. Independent accreditations and certifications offer a clear way to demonstrate values, transparency, and a commitment to doing business responsibly but there are ways to be focused, based in place and delivering change for your value chain.

Below, we spotlight two of the most recognised frameworks in the UK — B4SI, B Corp Certification and the Good Business Charter — and highlight other models that can help organisations demonstrate their social and environmental commitments.

And this is in the context of the most Recent Charities Aid Foundation Report (2025) which has told us that corporate giving or philanthropy is on a plateau.

Here are the leading charter marks which you should familiarise yourself with

B4SI

The Business for Societal Impact (B4SI) framework is an international standard that helps organisations measure and manage their social impact. Developed from over 25 years of practice, it provides a consistent methodology for companies to define, assess, and report how their community investment, business innovation, and core operations contribute to societal good.

B4SI integrates giving into governance and is geared up to align philanthropy with a company’s long-term purpose, strategy, and stakeholder engagement. Members benchmark against peers, use shared metrics, and track both input and outcome, ensuring their investments are evidence-based and transparent.

For businesses, the B4SI framework turns generosity into accountability; for communities. It’s a model for how corporate giving can evolve from marketing to meaning — and why strategy matters as much as spend or ephemeral senior leadership engagement on the issue.

B Corp Certification

B Corp is a globally recognised certification awarded to over 900 businesses in 105 countries that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

Run by the non-profit B Lab, it involves completing the B Impact Assessment, which evaluates an organisation across five key areas:

• Governance – ethics, transparency, and stakeholder engagement.
• Workers – wellbeing, pay, and opportunities.
• Community – local economic impact, diversity, and giving.
• Environment – resource use, emissions, and stewardship.
• Customers – delivering products or services with positive impact.

To certify, a company must achieve at least 80 points out of 200, undergo a verification process, and amend its governing documents to ensure decisions consider all stakeholders — not just shareholders. B Corp is widely respected internationally and signals a deep, long-term commitment to balancing profit with purpose. Over 1million people are now employed across the world in B Corp accredited organisations

Good Business Charter

The Good Business Charter (GBC) is a UK-based accreditation that recognises responsible business practices across 10 clear commitments, including:

• Paying the real living wage
• Employee wellbeing and representation
• Diversity and inclusion
• Environmental responsibility
• Paying fair tax
• Ethical sourcing and prompt payment

Accreditation is achieved through a straightforward self-assessment, with annual re-certification to confirm ongoing compliance. No legal changes are required, making GBC an accessible route for organisations of all sizes including small businesses and start ups.

Launched in 2020, York was the first city to be designated a “GBC City” in 2021, highlighting the role of local leadership in promoting responsible business - some of the team are also based out of York.

Other recognised models

In addition to B Corp and GBC, organisations might also consider:

• ISO 26000 – Social responsibility guidance (international).
• Investors in People – People management and development.
• Planet Mark – Sustainability and carbon reduction.
• Fair Tax Mark – Responsible and transparent tax practices.
• Living Wage Employer – Commitment to fair pay.
• UN Global Compact – Global sustainability principles.
• Social Enterprise UK membership – For mission-driven businesses reinvesting profits.