We are so thrilled to announce that Axial has joined thousands of esteemed companies from around the world as a Certified B Corporation®! This milestone achievement reinforces Axial’s commitment to positively impacting local communities, clients, partners and suppliers—and leveraging business as a force for good.
What is a Certified B Corporation®?
Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability to strike a balance profit and purpose. Because the bar for each of these is pretty high, B Corps take their commitment to sustainability and fair business seriously.
To become a B Corp, companies have to go through a rigorous and formal verification process, which can take months if not years. Axial spent nearly one year working to achieve its certification. We were evaluated by the non-profit B-Lab to assess the company’s positive impact on its workers, community, customers and the environment. No stone was left unturned to evaluate Axial’s day-to-day operations and business model as part of the comprehensive B Impact Assessment. With a minimum verified total score of 80 across all impact areas to be certified, we passed with flying colours! Once approved, the certification lasts three years before we need to re-certify.
While almost any type of organization can become a B Corp, Axial is proud to say we are one of the first e-commerce agencies in Canada and one of the first businesses from Sherbrooke, Quebec, to earn this prestigious certification. To date, there are certified B Corporations across 150 industries in 71 countries. That’s pretty impressive when you recall at the first generation of B Corporations was certified in 2007!
Why do companies, like Axial, become B Corporations?
Axial is part of a growing number of companies that are pledging their commitment to being values-driven businesses. We want to broaden our purpose beyond short-term profits and reprioritize people- and planet-focused performance. We believe that by doing so, we can provide a better and more prosperous world for future generations.
Societal and environmental change cannot be relegated solely to well-meaning non-profits and governments. To eradicate pollution, environmental degradation, poverty, inequality, for example, it takes the cohesive efforts of all companies and everyone around the globe. By becoming a B Corp, businesses are aligning their visions, values, operations, business models and development to achieve that high calibre of change.
What does the certification mean for Axial?
Daniel, our President, said it best:
“Axial is dedicated to building a prosperous business that is deeply rooted in good: good for the people, good for the planet and good for the economy.”
We believe that contrary to conventional thought, e-commerce companies can be more sustainable, by rethinking their supply chains, choosing more ethical sourcing, opting for more eco-friendly packaging, offering greener shipping and returns, and so more. Axial will empower our clients integrate sustainability in their online businesses. Together, the e-commerce community can do its part to provide solutions and create a better world for the next generation.”
Lindsey Wilson, Business Development Manager at B Corp, echoed Daniel’s vision for the future of sustainable e-commerce:
“Such great strides are being made in the e-commerce sector, like many of Axial’s concrete actions we observed during the B Impact assessment. Sustainable e-commerce pays off for everyone and we applaud Axial’s visionary goals.”
What is next for Axial?
Becoming a Certified B Corporation® means consistently investing in corporate initiatives that help people, protect the planet, and enhance the prosperity for all. Over the coming months—and as a testament to willingness to be completely transparent—we’ll be posting on our blog and social media all the endeavours we will undertake. The goal is not to be self-congratulatory or market how much we care. Rather, we intend to become a source of inspiration to every person and organization we do business with or that is interested in following in our footsteps.
