Being a B Corp in eyewear: “We’re constantly working to improve”

Certified B Corps meet a set of standards of performance, accountability, and transparency, outlined and verified by B Lab.

To achieve certification, businesses must:

• Achieve a B Impact Assessment score of 80 or above and pass a risk review – demonstrating “high social and environmental performance” (The median score for ordinary businesses who complete the assessment is currently 50.9, B Lab suggests)
• Make a legal commitment to accountability to all stakeholders
• Exhibit transparency in making available information about their performances against the B Lab standards.

More than 8000 businesses have become B Corp certified around the world, while the UK movement is made up of more than 1700 businesses.

To understand what business looks like for this growing cohort of companies, and how it makes a difference to the optical sector, OT heard from two B Corp certified eyewear companies.

Bird Eyewear, certified since: March 2020

How does being a B Corp make a difference for Bird Eyewear?

Ed Bird (EB), founder of Bird Eyewear: At Bird Eyewear, we believe everyone has the right to see nature and be inspired by it. But we’re not just slapping a ‘green’ label on our frames and calling it a day. Being the highest scoring B Corp in the eyewear industry is a big deal to us. It shows we have gone all-in on making a positive impact, socially and environmentally, but it also means we’re an open book about our impact, ready to share the good, the bad, and the ugly. Following the routine recertification process in 2023, Bird Eyewear saw its B Impact score jump to 128.2 Read more here. 

The B Corp agenda is not a one-time deal, as you’re assessed every three years, so we’re constantly working to improve our team, culture, products, and impact. It’s definitely more of a mindset that runs from the ground up.

Bird shared the reasons the eyewear company became a B Corp in this video.

Being the highest scoring B Corp in the eyewear industry is a big deal to us

What effect do you see the B Corp initiative having for the optical sector?

EB: It’s great to see the B Corp movement gaining momentum in the industry, with more brands becoming or looking to get certified. It’s an easy way for stockists to separate those that are serious about becoming a force for good vs those that have other priorities. As more and more consumers look for authentically sustainable brands, we see this trend growing over the coming years.

Sea2see, certified since: December 2021

How does being a B Corp make a difference for Sea2see?

François van den Abeele (FVDA), founder of Sea2see: B Corp is not about being the best on the planet, but rather, the best for the planet. It certifies our commitment to our people and the people that are part of the Sea2see story.

The Sea2see brand was born to eco disrupt the optical market in 2016. Our priorities were the protection of our ocean with our Sea2see Foundation, raising awareness about the impact of marine plastic, using an upcycled raw material in the optical market for the first time. But we also wanted to give optical stores and consumers the opportunity to share our values, and proposed a new upcycled product that has a real social and environmental impact. Sea2see is vertically integrated from its impact, the source in coastal environments, to the final product in the stores.

B Corp is not about being the best on the planet, but rather, the best for the planet

What effect do you see the B Corp initiative having for the optical sector?

FVDA: Like in any other sector where it is being used, it should be a stamp of credibility.

It encourages us to widen the scope of our innovation and put all our initiatives under the microscope to constantly strive for better

Eyespace Eyewear, Certified since: November 2023

How does being a B Corp make a difference for Eyespace Eyewear?

Jayne Abel (JA), CEO and co-founder of Eyespace Eyewear: B Corp certification is highly significant for us – not only ‘us’ as a business and our individual employees, but for our customers and partners – this globally-recognised accreditation builds incredible trust in our culture, products and services, strengthening our relationships internationally. It encourages us to widen the scope of our innovation and put all our initiatives under the microscope to constantly strive for better.

Our team feels a deep sense of pride, working for one of only a handful of British optical suppliers to achieve B Corp, and delight in our sustainability objectives having genuine authenticity. There’s no greater feeling than being at the forefront of a growing global movement striving for positive change, and at all levels our teams have invested in becoming more responsible, to contribute towards leaving a positive legacy for future generations.

What effect do you see the B Corp initiative having for the optical sector?

JA: As a non-profit network transforming the global economy to benefit people, communities, and the planet, B Corp sets the gold-standard of global sustainability accreditations; it’s a journey that everyone in our industry should strive towards and as a professional community. We all have a responsibility to unite in adapting and adopting more sustainable approaches, ensuring we build resilience and are future fit.

Innovating will undoubtedly deliver competitive growth, but it also delivers inclusivity, demonstrates positive leadership and, of course, will see us collectively get ahead of the curve in tackling climate change, lowering our collective carbon footprint, and improving standards throughout the full chain of supply.