Outdoor clothing brand Berghaus has achieved one of the world's top ethical business certifications in B Corporation status.
The Sunderland-based firm is among 1,200 other UK companies to achieve the mark, which includes rigorous assessment and evidence to prove its ethical approach to governance, workers, community, customers, and environment. Berghaus is the first name among its Pentland Brands stablemates - which include Speedo and Lacoste - to become a B Corporation.
The firm, which was founded in 1966 and designs and makes outdoor clothing, footwear and accessories, still offers a free repairs service and aims to donate surplus stock to those that need it most. It backs a range of initiatives that boost access to the outdoors for underrepresented communities including organisations such as The Outward Bound Trust, It's Great Out There Coalition and Black Girls Hike.
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Berghaus also pointed to work through its parent company with global organisations to protect and enable workers' rights, and minimise the environmental impact of manufacturing.
Last year the firm posted accounts for 2021 which showed the impact of supply chain difficulties and the soaring cost of distribution. Operating losses of £4.4m came despite a big increase in sales across its UK and European markets, generating a 27% leap in turnover £70.2m. At the time, Berghaus said it continued to invest in its people and sustainability programmes which included the recruitment of four new brand ambassadors to promote diversity and inclusivity in the outdoors.
As part of its B Corporation obligations, Berghaus is now obliged to report on its social and environmental impact and will be reassessed for certification every three years. It is expected the criteria to achieve re-certification will become more challenging in time.
Charlie Pym, Berghaus brand director, said: "We're proud to be B Corp certified. Quite rightly, there's a high bar for achieving it, and we've worked extremely hard to show that we're worthy of the status. This process also highlights areas we need to improve, which is critical for our continued progress.
"B Corp certification is not the beginning of our journey, and it’s far from the end, but it’s another significant step forward in striving to make the world a better place with Berghaus in it. Our mission is to open up the outdoors because that's where the best of life is lived. Everything we’re currently doing is in service of inspiring more people to spend more time in nature."
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