Sustainability certifications for UK SMEs: what you need to do to get verified

Last week, B lab – the organisation behind the esteemed B Corp certification – introduced a new set of standards aimed at raising the bar for businesses they’re verifying. The goal is to ensure that performative claims, greenwashing or simply excelling in one, specific area will no longer cut it.

For UK SMEs, stricter standards are making certifications like B Corp harder to achieve. But they also make them more meaningful, turning them into a stronger signal of credibility and a more solid way to stand out when it comes to attracting customers and securing contracts.

B Corp isn’t the only mark of approval out there, of course. Below are some of the most relevant sustainability certifications for UK businesses right now: what they are, who they’re for, and how to get them.

1. B Corp Certification (B Lab)

What it is:

Started in the mid-2000s, the B Corp certification is one of the most widely recognised stamps of approval on a company’s entire social and environmental impact.

Who it’s for:

Businesses across any sector or size that want to embrace sustainability throughout their whole business model, not just one area of operations.

How to get a B Corp certification:

B Corp applicants used to score at least 80 out of 200 points on the B Impact Assessment (BIA), which involves roughly 200 questions tailored to business size, sector, and location, including areas like employee wellbeing and environmental impact.

Under the recently updated guidelines, businesses now need to meet minimum requirements across seven core areas and receive additional external verification.

2. ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems)

What it is:

ISO 14001 is a globally recognised standard for environmental management, which helps businesses put processes in place to monitor, manage, and reduce their environmental impact over time. Rather than focusing on just one outcome, it’s about embedding sustainability into day-to-day operations, such as managing waste, recycling, energy, and the use of polluting toxic chemicals.

Who it’s for:

Better suited to SMEs with more established operations, particularly those that work with larger corporates or that are bidding for public sector contracts where formal environmental standards are often an expectation.

How to get an ISO 14001 certification:

To achieve ISO 14001 certification, you can review existing processes and environmental practices to spot any gaps or anything that could be greener. From there, you’d implement a formal environmental management system designed to monitor and reduce environmental impact.

Certification itself must be carried out by an accredited third party, which audits systems against ISO standards before awarding approval, which is then valid for three years, after which it must be reviewed to maintain compliance.

3. Carbon Trust Standard

What it is:

The Carbon Trust Standard is all about focusing on the metric of carbon emissions. It certifies organisations that are taking active steps to reduce their carbon footprint, based on verifiable data rather than empty pledges or vague estimates, making it one of the more rigorous carbon-focused accreditations available in the UK.

Who it’s for:

If you’re an established business with measurable emissions, particularly in sectors like manufacturing and logistics, looking to communicate your commitment to Net Zero, getting Carbon Trust certified is one of the most respected achievements.

How to get certified by the Carbon Trust Standard:

To get certified, businesses must first measure their carbon footprint across areas like energy, transport, and waste.

By setting reduction targets and following a clear plan to cut emissions by switching to renewables or improving efficiency. After making independently verified reductions, businesses can become certified, but they will be continually monitored and deliver ongoing progress.

4. 1% For The Planet

What it is:

Not a certification as such, 1% For The Planet is an organisation which encourages businesses to donate a small portion of their annual sales (not profit) to a network of 7265 environmental organisations across 110 countries.

Who it’s for:

Joining 1% For The Planet is a great way for businesses of any size, in any sector, to quickly improve their sustainability commitment with no need to massively overhaul operations.

How to get certified by 1% For The Planet:

At least half of your donations each year must be monetary, and the other half can be made up of in-kind donations, employee volunteering, or 1% for the Planet Advertising donations. Once you’ve made your donations, they will be certified, and you will be part of the 1% global network. You’ll then be able to use the certification logo on your website or packaging to show that you’re part of the movement.

5. Green Tourism Certification

What it is:

The Green Tourism Certification is a UK-based sustainability marker tailored specifically to the tourism and hospitality sector. It takes into consideration everything from energy use to community impact.

Who it’s for:

This certification is targeted towards hotels, B&Bs, visitor attractions, and tour operators looking to appeal to eco-conscious travellers and showcase their responsible practices within their communities.

How to get the Green Tourism Certification:

To achieve a Green Tourism certification, applicants should complete the detailed assessment, which will cover areas like energy efficiency, waste management, sourcing, and local engagement. Instead of a basic pass or fail system, successful businesses will be awarded a Bronze, Silver, or Gold rating, which is a good way to demonstrate progress over time.

 6. Green Key

What it is:

Green Key is an internationally recognised label for hospitality businesses that want to demonstrate their commitment to being eco-conscious. It focuses on practical environmental standards within day-to-day hotel and restaurant operations.

Who it’s for:

This is another hospitality-specific option for hotels, hostels, and restaurants that want a credible sustainability certification to attract eco-conscious guests.

How to get certified by Green Key:

To become Green Key certified, businesses must meet a set of criteria covering areas like energy and water use, waste reduction, and staff involvement. Compliance will be checked through external audits from a National representative for Green Key. To maintain your certification, you’ll need to ensure you adhere to its standards, as it will be continually reviewed.

7. Fairtrade Certification

What it is:

Fairtrade certification specifically focuses on ensuring farmers and workers in global supply chains are paid fairly and operate under safe and sustainable conditions. It’s a widely recognised mark across food, drink, and retail for both businesses and consumers looking to make purchases that align with their ethics.

Who it’s for:

Fairtrade certification and licensing are generally most relevant to producers, manufacturers, and brands that sell produce like fruit and vegetables, cocoa, coffee beans, or textile products.

How to get Fair Trade certified:

There are two routes to becoming ‘Fairtrade’, depending on where your business sits in the supply chain. Producers, traders, importers, exporters, or manufacturers must become certified by going through an external audit process that will give them the right to sell Fairtrade-certified products.

Brands that want to sell finished products with a Fairtrade mark will need to become a licensee, meaning they only source from Fairtrade-certified suppliers.

8. Living Wage Employer (Living Wage Foundation)

What it is:

While not directly connected to the environment, becoming a Living Wage Employer is an important ethical and social sustainability marker. Gaining this accreditation is a recognition that your business is committed to paying employees the real Living Wage, calculated based on the actual cost of living, rather than just the government minimum.

Who it’s for:

UK businesses in any sector looking to fairly reward their team, improve retention, and publicly showcase their commitment to fair pay.

How to get certified as a Living Wage Employer:

To become a Living Wage Employer, businesses must pay all direct employees and regular third-party contractors the real Living Wage, which is currently £13.45 per hour, and

£14.80 per hour in London. Once businesses pay above the threshold, they can apply for accreditation. To retain the status, they must, of course, continue to pay the Living Wage.

Next steps: getting verified

With rules getting tighter around sustainability certifications, they’re becoming both a true commitment to sustainable and ethical practice and also a commercial asset.

By securing one of these certifications, whether it’s B Corp, ISO 14001, or a Green Tourism Certification, you’ll communicate your values to consumers, investors and competitors, which will help you stand out from the crowd. And, considering the current economic climate, this has never been more crucial.