Ready to get certified as a
Better Business?

Gain recognition, evidence your impact and join a community of purpose-driven businesses doing good.

Get Accredited

The Better Business Standard is a simple framework to make being a Better Business easier.

We knew there was a simpler way to do good and share it, so the Better Business Standard was born. Working through seven pillars, this accreditation is years in the making, bringing together all of the good your business is doing into one place, with one benchmark, and one stamp of approval.

We believe accreditation should be practical, community-led and accessible to every business.

Developed by the Better Business Network, the Better Business Standard is the UK’s new accreditation framework for businesses that want to prove and improve their impact.

Already making progress as a Real Living Wage employer, 1% for the Planet member, Carbon Literate organisation or B Corp?

That all counts.

The Better Business Standard recognises existing commitments, reducing duplication and making impact reporting simpler.

Certification is available exclusively to Better Business Network members as part of our mission to help purpose-driven businesses grow their impact and grow their income, and to do business better. 

Members, you can access the accreditation via the community.

Not yet a member? We can fix that.

Join now

  • Practical

    Built on a Learn → Task → Evidence model, the Standard rewards real business action and the progress you have already made.

  • Accessible

    Affordable and achievable for organisations of all sizes, starting from just £500 per year. We also certify non-profits, charities and the self-employed.

  • Comprehensive

    Covering seven pillars: Governance, People, Climate & Environment, Nature & Biodiversity, Community, Customers and Innovation for a holistic view of your impact.

  • Transparent

    Progress is visible at every stage, with tiered Impact Levels. Providing a clear, credible Impact report you can share with Customers, Clients and your wider Community.

 

Register your interest

The Better Business Standard is available exclusively to Better Business Network members. Register your interest to speak to a member of the team about joining us, and you will get a copy of our landmark report: The Better Business Standard: UK Impact Benchmark Report to read in the meantime. 

FAQs

  • The BBS is designed specifically for UK SMEs. It’s practical, affordable, and procurement-ready. Unlike global frameworks, it removes reliance on consultants and builds skills in-house. It complements, not competes with, B Corp, ISO or others.

  • Evidence must be uploaded once the initial awareness course is completed for every module if additional accreditation is required. 10% of applications are spot-checked. The public can challenge accredited businesses, triggering an independent review. This ensures accountability without the prohibitive cost of full audits.

  • Annually, via a peer-led industry review day. This ensures the Standards evolve with new data, regulations and best practice. It’s a living framework, not a static badge.

  • Public challenges and spot checks exist to prevent this. If concerns are substantiated, verification is paused and evidence reviewed independently. Businesses that fail to respond lose accreditation and can resubmit in a year.

  • The BBS isn’t just a badge. It comes with templates, toolkits, Action Boxes and a peer community through BBN giving SMEs the skills, evidence and support they need to report impact, win contracts and improve over time.

  • Accredited businesses are visible to customers, partners, and procurement bodies. Each listing includes bios and links, showcasing credibility and impact.

  • The Better Business Standard is exclusively available to members of the Better Business Network.

  • Self employed, Freelancers and Limited Companies can all take part in the process. We also allow non - profits, charities and CIC to benchmark themselves using our standards.

  • Use on websites and digital media is free and encouraged. If you want your business to have it on physical products you must pay a yearly license fee of £500 which covers the cost of additional verification to ensure the Standard is being used correctly and your evidence has been checked by an outside consultant. 

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