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Innovation

Which companies are 'best for the world'?

Here are a list of businesses that are trying to make a profit and a difference.
Written by Tyler Falk, Contributor

There are a lot of companies out there claiming to be socially conscious. But B Lab actually holds them accountable.

The U.S.-based nonprofit says that, like LEED ratings for buildings, it certifies businesses as B Corps if they meet "rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency."

With over 600 businesses from around the world certified as B Corps, the next step for the organization was to compile a list of business that are "best for the world." The B Corps businesses scoring in the top 10 percent of the organization's metrics made the list, 67 companies in all. Here are companies that made the list for 2013.

What makes this list more interesting to explore than other do-good corporations lists is that many of the companies you probably haven't heard of, but they're out there looking to make a profit and a positive social impact.

B Lab is not just a certification nonprofit, it's making political changes to help sustainable businesses, Bloomberg Businessweek reports:

B Lab has also been instrumental in getting 12 states, including California and New York, to recognize new legal structures that give company directors legal cover to consider social and environmental goals instead of just financial returns. Twenty more states, including Delaware, are considering similar legislation.

For more on B Lab, read SmartPlanet's interview with B Lab founder, Jay Coen Gilbert.

Finding the World's 'Best' Social Entrepreneurs [Bloomberg Businessweek]

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com

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