Which CSR label is best suited to your company?

Within your company, you do your best to limit your environmental impact, you try to contribute to the well-being of society and your employees, and you strive to have a positive impact on the economy. In short, you are committed to CSR and now want to obtain certification. However, with so many labels out there, it can be difficult to know where to start! Here are a few tips to help you on your way.

A multitude of labels

According to a recent report submitted to the Ministry of Economy at the end of 2020 and published in February, there are now no fewer than 40 CSR labels in France. This is enough to make your head spin, especially since they are not all based on the same criteria and do not target the same audiences. This lack of visibility may explain why, out of the 4 million companies in France, only 800 are certified according to a study by Goodwill Management. However, according to BPI France, 90% of SME managers are taking action to promote CSR!

Among the various labels, there are four main "types": general labels, which are aimed at all types of companies; regional labels, based on geographical location; thematic labels, linked to a specific issue such as biodiversity or professional equality; and finally sectoral labels, which, as their name suggests, are aimed at companies in the same sector of activity. The latter are in the majority and account for a large proportion of certified companies.

What criteria?

According to the CSR platform, a CSR label is a " guarantee certificate issued by a third party that characterizes the CSR approach implemented by a company in accordance with the ISO 26000 guidelines. Many labels are based on the well-known ISO 26000, which defines CSR at the international level, to develop their evaluation criteria. 

In order to improve the clarity of the various labels, the report written by Coralie Dubost, Fella Imalhayene, and Jean-Paul Chapron recommends the development of a charter based on 12 criteria:

–Exemplary behavior

– Transparency regarding status, governance, and funding sources

– Transparency regarding the criteria and benchmarks used

– Materiality, i.e., taking into account the specific characteristics of each company (sector of activity, size, etc.)

– Progression, to encourage companies to commit even further to their CSR approach

– Comparability with international standards, so that companies can understand the benchmarks on which the label is based

– Simplicity, so as not to complicate the process for companies wishing to obtain certification

–Accessibility, i.e., transparency regarding the cost of joining the label

–Supporting, uniting, and promoting certified companies

– Representativeness, so that the label is consistent with the objectives of stakeholders

– Separation of responsibilities, i.e., the requirement for oversight by an independent body

–Adaptability, i.e., the ability to evolve standards as new CSR challenges arise

While waiting for such a charter to be drawn up, it is up to each individual to find out as much as they can about the various existing labels, the criteria for which, as you will have understood, are not always easily accessible.

The main labels

General labels

Among the main general labels is the CSR Commitment Label, the Lucie Label, B-corp, and Global Compact. All are aimed at all types of companies and have different characteristics.

Thematic labels

Some labels assess CSR performance as a whole, while others focus on more specific areas such as the environment, buyer-supplier relations, governance, etc.

Among the thematic labels, we can mention the Afnor Equality Label, which promotesgender equality, and the Union for Ethical BioTrade Label, which concerns products that respect human dignity and protect biodiversity.

Territorial labels

These labels are generally initiated by local authorities, which often makes them more "close" to the certified companies. These labels often include a measure ofterritorial impact and may be of interest to companies that wish to highlight their local involvement.

Examples include the "Alsace Excellence" label, which promotes the local economy, the "Produit en Bretagne" label, and the "Lyon, Ville Équitable et Durable" label.

Sector labels

These labels are the most widely represented and, according to Jean-Paul Chapron, Coralie Dubost, and Fella Imalhayene, are best placed to "offer effective CSR support," thanks in particular to their in-depth knowledge of the sector and the relevance of their networks.

The sectors involved are numerous, ranging from events to hairdressing, communications agencies, and even construction materials.

How to choose the right CSR label for your company?

Now that you know a little more about CSR labels, how can you best choose the one that suits you?

Start by identifying your objectives: is it to highlight a particular theme? To position your company as part of a local initiative? To benefit from a network of certified companies in the same sector as you? To be as recognizable as possible to the general public?

Next, select a label that is based on the ISO 26000 standard, where possible, and whose evaluation criteria are accessible. Finally, also examine howthe organization certifies the company: an audit carried out by a third party on site will probably be more thorough (and more robust) than a simple online questionnaire.

What are the benefits of a CSR label?

Although the process is not always straightforward, obtaining a CSR label has definite advantages.

For those who are new to CSR, obtaining certification can help them identify their strengths and weaknesses. Some certifications offer areas for improvement, training, and numerous tips for taking the process further. Another advantage is that obtaining certification often allows you to benefit from a network (more or less local and more or less related to your core business, depending on the certification chosen) and to forge new business relationships while sharing best practices.

For social and solidarity economy ( SSE ) companies, obtaining a CSR label is often a logical next step, reinforcing an approach that is already in place within the company. However, it is important not to confuse CSR certification with ESUS accreditation : while the former formalizes a company's contribution to sustainable development issues, the latter is an accreditation that only applies to SSE companies and allows them to benefit from financial aid.

Finally, committing to a CSR approach, and even more so obtaining certification, can sometimes lead to significant economies of scale. By benefiting from the advice and methods provided by a certification body, a company can, for example, optimize its costs and limit its losses. It also often enjoys a better image among consumers.

 

Finding the CSR label that best suits your company is no easy task, but it's worth the effort, if only to see your efforts recognized. Especially since things should soon become simpler: the report submitted to the Ministry of Economy in February supports standardization and greater clarity of labels, thanks in particular to the creation of a public charter and a digital platform bringing together all information related to CSR labels. A small step for man, a giant leap for CSR?

Text: Coline de Silans