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In 2025, posting your commitments is no longer enough. You have to prove them.
And in a context where distrust reigns — towards brands, institutions, CSR promises without proof — certifications are a guarantee of seriousness. They reassure, they differentiate, they open doors. You still need to know which ones to choose, according to your objectives, your sector... and your resources.
This article offers you an overview of the most relevant certifications to give credibility to your company, especially if you are involved in impact initiatives (CSR, climate, circular economy, etc.). We are not making an extensive list: we help you sort, understand and above all value these commitments.
1. Strengthened credibility.
Consumers, partners, journalists, investors, recruits... all are increasingly demanding. Having a certification means showing a trustworthy third party who attests to the veracity of your commitments.
2. Easy access to markets and tenders.
Certain certifications (ISO, CSR, etc.) are now required in many public or private tenders. Without them, your case goes down the drain.
3. Differentiation in a saturated market.
In the world of startups or impact SMEs, many communicate about their mission. Certifications allow you to stand out by showing that you are going to the end of the process.
4. Easy communication.
A certification is also a communication tool. A logo on your site, an argument in your press campaigns, a lever for telling a strong story.
👉 The favorite label for impact startups.
B Corp is an international certification that assesses the social, environmental and governance impact of companies. To get it, you have to answer more than 200 questions, prove your commitments, and then retake the assessment every three years.
Key figure: more than 8,000 certified companies around the world, including Patagonia, Danone, Back Market, Ulule...
Advantages:
👉 The essentials for structuring your quality or environmental approach.
THEISO 14001 concerns environmental management,ISO 9001 the quality of the processes. Highly requested in tenders, they demonstrate a desire for structuring.
Advantages:
Attention: they often require external support for their implementation.
👉 The French alternative to B Corp.
Inspired by ISO 26000, the Lucie label is an accessible, educational and progressive CSR certification. It is well suited to VSEs, SMEs and ETIs who want to structure their impact.
Advantages:
Useful link: https://agencelucie.com
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👉 The label of trust in organic agriculture... but not only that.
Ecocert is a certification body recognized in 130 countries. It offers labels for organic products, but also for natural cosmetics, sustainable fashion or even eco-responsible cleaning products.
Advantages:
👉 Rigorous certification for mature structures.
Awarded by Afnor, this certification is also based on ISO 26000. It values the maturity of a CSR strategy, with a clear rating.
Advantages:
👉 For brands committed to fair trade.
If your supply chain includes producers from the South, obtaining Fairtrade certification is a strong lever for valorization, especially in supermarkets.
Advantages:
👉 International frameworks for structuring extra-financial communication.
The Global Compact is a voluntary commitment by companies around 10 principles (human rights, environment, anti-corruption...). The GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) makes it possible to structure clear CSR reporting.
Advantages:
A label is not an end in itself. It is a tool for telling a story, showing progress, creating trust. The mistake would be to hide it in the footer of the site.
Integrate it from the homepage, into your storytelling, your commercial presentations.
At 425PPM, we've seen it often: a certification can be the Perfect excuse to pick up an article in a media. It is concrete proof, a striking fact.
“Our startup has just obtained B Corp certification: we explain to you why it changes everything.”
Here is an email title that makes you want to click.
