A short background on Ireland’s leading sustainability certification
The first version of the Business Working Responsibly Mark sustainability certification was launched ten years ago.
At BITCI, we saw the need for a third party verified standard to be offered to companies that wanted to objectively demonstrate their management systems were aligned with best practice in sustainable and responsible business.
The first certified companies saw in the certification process an opportunity to differentiate from competitors, stand-out from other sites in multinational global contexts and communicate in a different way about the excellence of their practices.
Fast forward to now, sustainability is a top concern for any business.
Society, regulators, investors, customers and employees demand transparency, accountability, high standards and evidence that businesses are being managed in a responsible way.
Equally, the climate emergency and the growing inequality in our society, exposed bare by the pandemic, are shining a light on business. Sustainability is more than competitive differentiation. Sustainability is an opportunity to futureproof the business model and to design and launch products and services for a growing market that demands sustainability credentials.
Sustainability is an evolving journey and through its first decade, the Business Working Responsibly Mark has reflected its changing landscape. Through multi-stakeholder consultation, we have continued to evolve the contents of the Mark and designed a certification process that is effective and can be embedded into the management systems of businesses.
In 2022 we are now delighted to launch Version 5 of the Business Working Responsibly Mark as the fundamental standard that will allow businesses to develop a credible, meaningful roadmap to sustainability. This new version of the standard, focuses on a strong foundation on governance and incorporates new and vital dimensions of economic impact.
The planet, society, employees, customers, investors are expecting more businesses to be part of a change towards a low carbon and inclusive future for all. We look forward to continuing to build the next generation of responsible and sustainable business.
Want to Know More?
If your organisation would like to become one of our certified companies or you simply want to find out more, please contact your Advisor (for members). If you are not a member, please contact our Membership Executive Trish McNamara 0861526559 pmcnamara@bitc.ie