The B Corp certification process for our company, KALŪ, began in the winter of 2022 and culminated in our certification on May 30, 2023. Our primary motivation for obtaining this external certification was to validate our efforts in sustainability and social responsibility. By becoming a B Corp company, we aimed to demonstrate our active commitment to reducing waste, promoting the use of local ingredients, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, and having a positive impact on both our human and animal communities.

The KALŪ B Corp certification process unfolded in several key stages. Firstly, we had an initial meeting with a company already certified as a B Corp to gain a thorough understanding of the process and associated requirements. The entrepreneur we interacted with was very transparent about the efforts required for certification and the involvement needed from all members of our organization. This allowed us to become familiar with the requirements and core values of B Corp certification.

Next, we conducted an initial assessment to determine our overall status before officially commencing the certification process. This initial assessment provided us with a clear view of our strengths, such as commitments we had made regarding sustainable packaging, and potential improvements for our organization, such as partnering with women-owned or diverse-owned businesses, offering more flexible working conditions for our internal team, or taking concrete actions to support our community.

Over several months, we provided detailed information on various aspects of our company, including our employees, suppliers, governance, environmental impact, the value we create for our human and animal customers, and our impact on the community. More specifically, we shared agreements with our suppliers, invoices, comprehensive formula analyses, contracts with our employees, and more. This process was lengthy and demanding, requiring great diligence and attention to detail on our part.

We also had frequent meetings with the B Corp team responsible for evaluating our progress. These meetings allowed us to receive valuable guidance and ensure that we were on the right track to meet the certification criteria. Interactions with the B Corp team also enabled us to fine-tune our approach when the details we provided were incomplete or insufficient.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this process was joining a community of committed businesses and benefiting from their expertise in sustainability and social responsibility. By becoming a B Corp company, we became part of a global movement aimed at transforming the economy for the benefit of all individuals, communities, and the planet. We are confident that KALŪ and its team can be recognized as a positive force, and B Corp certification is validation of this commitment.

Now that we have obtained the certification, the next steps involve continuing to evolve our practices and setting ourselves further apart from other companies in our industry. We are committed to maintaining our sustainability commitment and continuing to have a positive impact on our community and the environment.

Here are some of the actions we plan to implement in the near future:

- Planting 1 tree per subscription
- Offsetting greenhouse gas emissions from all our packaging
- Being available in zero-waste format in more retail locations to limit transportation
- Promoting our ecological alternative across Canada
- Organizing more events to engage the community in environmental protection

B Corp certification is not just an end in itself but rather the beginning of an ongoing journey towards improvement and excellence in sustainability and social responsibility.

Ultimately, the KALŪ B Corp certification process was a demanding yet extremely rewarding journey. We take pride in obtaining this certification, which attests to our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. We hope that our example will inspire other businesses to follow the path of sustainability and use their influence to have a positive impact on the world around us.