KMI Brands Announces B-Corp Certification

KMI Brands Achieves B Corp Certification, Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainable Business Practices and Positive Impact

[London, 6 June 2023] - KMI Brands, creator and distributor of award-winning beauty and wellbeing brands Noughty, Plantopia and licensed brand Ted Baker fragrance and toiletries, proudly announces its achievement of B Corp Certification. Joining the esteemed community of purpose-driven businesses committed to making a positive impact on people and the planet, KMI Brands solidifies its dedication to driving innovation, delivering long-term value, and holding itself accountable to rigorous social and environmental standards.

Joining the ranks of only 1,500 B-Corp certified companies in the UK, this certification entails a comprehensive evaluation of a business's social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. It aligns with the vision of creating a community of for-profit companies dedicated to redefining success in business.

B Corp Certification signifies that a company has met the high standards for social and environmental impact set by B Lab. It involves a legal commitment to stakeholder governance and a demonstration of accountability and transparency through the public disclosure of performance in a B Corp profile.

To become a Certified B Corporation, companies undergo a rigorous assessment of the impact of their operations and business model on workers, customers, communities, the environment and governance. They must achieve a minimum verified score on the B Impact Assessment.

With a score of 80.2 on the B Impact Assessment, KMI Brands has demonstrated its commitment and continuous dedication to making a lasting difference in everything they do by driving the business forward in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Rachel Parsonage, CEO of KMI Brands, expressed her excitement about the company's B Corp Certification, stating, "It was a tough yet rewarding process to go through but being a B-Corp Certified business will enable us to drive the business forward, making a positive impact on people and the planet. By holding ourselves accountable to rigorous standards, we can drive innovation and continue to deliver long-term value to our customers, employees, suppliers, and partners. In approaching the process, we have ensured that KMI Brands, Noughty and Plantopia are applicable and verified as they are owned by Knowledge and Merchandising Inc Ltd. Noughty as a predominantly haircare business joins only 50 other haircare brands globally as a B Corp. This is an incredible achievement and one which we will certainly leverage. The B community is also a real focus for us, I am a huge advocate of sharing, supporting and acting versus complaining and chastising all that is wrong with business and commerce today. This feels like a good place for KMI Brands to be right now and I cannot wait for the future and make a contribution to the B Corp community as well."

KMI Brands has long been committed to incorporating sustainable practices throughout its operations. Inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the company has outlined its ambitions and metrics in their Live Life Beautifully Commitment which acts as a compass for employees, suppliers, and partners.

KMI Brands is committed to focusing on four key areas inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Planet
Climate Action: The company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by implementing energy-efficient practices, utilising renewable energy sources, and actively seeking innovative solutions to combat climate change. KMI Brands aim to set scientific based targets in 2023 along with moving 100% of production to the UK whilst striving to improve their impact each year, working towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, reducing their climate footprint incrementally.

Ecosystems:
KMI Brands embraces planet-friendly practices through Plantopia’s partnership with UEBT (Union for Ethical Biotrade) to source with respect for people and biodiversity. They are dedicated to making a real difference in the communities they work with, educating their customers about the benefits of shopping with them, and challenging the beauty industry to elevate sustainability efforts.

Circularity:
By becoming plastic neutral with Noughty and exceeding their target of collecting xxx KG of plastic waste in 2023, KMI Brands is actively tackling plastic pollution. Furthermore, through their collaboration with OWP (Ocean Waste Plastic) for Plantopia, they remove an equivalent amount of plastic from the ocean as used in their packaging. The company has also conducted a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for their best-selling Plantopia product, and a baseline of all packaging components. KMI Brands strives to collaborate with like-minded organizations, suppliers, and stakeholders to drive collective action towards achieving the SDGs and creating a more sustainable future. Working alongside global partners, KMI will continue to challenge, innovate and improve from design to product end of life.

People:
People sit at the beating heart of KMI Brands, and they are proud to follow Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB) standards, striving to achieve and demonstrate best practice at level 5.

By aligning its commitments with the UN SDGs, KMI Brands aims to contribute to a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable society. The B Corp certification serves as a testament to the company's dedication to driving positive change, setting an example for the beauty and personal care industry.

KMI Brands' commitment to B Corp Certification represents a significant milestone in its sustainability journey. As the company continues to grow and innovate, it remains steadfast in its pursuit of creating a positive impact and contributing to a more sustainable future.

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To learn more about KMI Brands, visit www.kmibrands.com