Good Design Australia Becomes a B Corp
- Published on: 11 February 2025
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Imagine an economy where businesses don’t just succeed—they actively benefit people, communities, and the planet. This bold vision drives certified B Corporations, a global community of businesses and organisations that meet high standards of social and environmental impact.
We’re excited to announce that Good Design Australia is now a Certified B Corporation (B Corp). This milestone is about more than a certification – it’s about driving real, lasting impact. By joining this transformative community, we’re reaffirming our commitment to a brighter tomorrow and reinforcing our role in shaping a more sustainable future.
We believe true prosperity starts with purposeful design. As a B Corp, we’re dedicated to embedding design-led solutions at the heart of Australia’s progress. By championing creative, forward-thinking approaches, we aim to inspire demand for products, services, spaces, places and experiences that strengthen communities, protect the planet, and propel us toward a thriving, balanced future for all.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR GOOD DESIGN AUSTRALIA
“Becoming a certified B Corp has been a long-standing goal for us,” said Dr. Brandon Gien, Chair of Good Design Australia.
“As a team, we believe that design holds the power to drive positive change – from enhancing environmental sustainability to fostering social impact. It was important for us to align our actions with these values.”
“By becoming a B Corp, we’re taking that commitment further, not just in our work, but in the way we operate as an organisation. This certification is a clear signal to our Good Design community that we’re dedicated to contributing to a better, more sustainable future for all,” said Dr. Gien
“Many Australian Good Design Award Winners are B Corps, and we’re constantly inspired by the incredible work they’re doing to drive the transition to a more sustainable future,” added Rachel Wye, Managing Director of Good Design Australia.
“Becoming a B Corp is no small feat – it took us over a year to become certified, and the process really looks at every aspect of your business. Our certification is then reviewed every three years, to ensure we’re staying true to our intentions. But we’re excited by the accountability it brings,” said Ms Wye.
“As a B Corp Organisation, you really have to walk the talk, which is something we embrace. This process is helping us make better, more impact-driven decisions – a value that lies at the heart of our annual Australian Good Design Awards and as an international design promotion organisation,” added Ms Wye.
“At the Awards, we’ve always focused on showcasing the outcomes and impact of good design. Now, as a certified B Corp, we’re not just recognising others; we’re being judged on our own impact as well. This certification pushes us to adopt best practices and set new targets for ourselves year on year, always striving for better,” said Ms Wye.
While it’s still early days, there are already tangible areas of impact that Good Design Australia is making, setting a benchmark for other design promotion organisations to follow.
“Our agreement with AirSeed to fund reforestation in Australia is just one example of how we’re focusing on environmental impact. We’ve also made changes to our internal policies, from the design of our trophies to implementing charitable initiatives embedded in our payment systems,” said Rachel Wye.
“We have always strived for improvements big and small in everything we do, but we think that becoming part of a bigger collective that consistently holds you accountable will push us to dream even bigger when it comes to our impact in the world and what we can achieve,” concluded Ms. Wye.
WHAT IS A B CORP?
B Corps believe in a better economic system where businesses can create value for people, communities, and the planet.
Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are companies verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. It’s a commitment to go beyond business as usual and prove that doing good is not just a claim, but a tangible reality.
THE B CORP CERTIFICATION PROCESS
The B Corp certification process involves a rigorous assessment measuring a company’s social and environmental performance in areas such as governance, workers, community, customers, and the environment.
By certifying, B Corps step into a framework for continuous improvement. In order to maintain certification, companies must undertake the assessment and verification process every three years, demonstrating they are still meeting B Lab’s standards – which are themselves always improving, with continual input from expert stakeholders.
The B Corp movement began in 2006 when Jay Coen Gilbert, Bart Houlahan, and Andrew Kassoy founded B Lab in the U.S. with the aim of redefining business success by prioritising social and environmental impact. By 2007, 82 companies were certified, marking the start of a global movement. B Lab Australia & New Zealand was established in 2012, expanding the movement to Australia and New Zealand, where the number of certified B Corps has since grown steadily.
With a proud history that dates back to 1958, Good Design Australia remains committed to promoting the importance of design to business, industry, government, and the general public, and the critical role it plays in creating a better, safer, and more prosperous future.
Now, with this B Corp certification, we take a pivotal step in amplifying our social and environmental impact, creating lasting change for both our community and the planet.
