The Responsible Business Standard
Developed and managed by the Organisation for Responsible Businesses, this is a robust, evidence-based certification covering the environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda as appropriate for solo, micro and small businesses
⚙︎ Trusted. Administered by the nationally recognised Organisation for Responsible Businesses (ORB).
⚙︎ Academically validated. Endorsed by Anglia Ruskin University, ensuring credibility and rigour.
⚙︎ Designed for small businesses. Tailored specifically for micro businesses, including sole proprietors, with a focus on practicality.
⚙︎ Comprehensive & relevant. Covers UK legislation and industry best practices across six key areas: workplace, community, environment, marketplace, governance, and ethics.
⚙︎ Fair & rigorous assessment. Two independent auditors ensure accuracy, fairness, and integrity in the certification process.
⚙︎ Customised to your business. Unlike a complicated scoring approach, the tailored impact (ASTI) methodology ensures assessments reflect your unique business characteristics.
⚙︎ Support at every step. An online framework helps you prepare, ensuring a smooth, cost-effective certification process with minimal additional expenses.
⚙︎ Affordable & accessible. Certification for sole proprietors starts at just £375, renewable every three years, and has a low annual fee of £175.
“Nothing worth having comes easy.”
Any certification worth having needs committed work put into it. We are proud of the thorough, evidence-based certification process we offer.
Our carefully trained external team of Responsible Business Specialists are a credit to our business philosophy.
Completing our 6-week Facilitated ESG Course prior to applying for certification is mandatory. You'll see if you're ready, where any weaknesses might be, and whether your values really need embedding.
Our auditing process is carried out in a timely fashion. No waiting for 12 months upwards for feedback.
Once your application and information is submitted, you can expect first-stage results within 2 months!
Two Certification Options
Social Value (Community) Certification
Evidence social value to enhance your business reputation and win more contracts.
Responsible Business Standard Certification
Our flagship certification. The jewel in the crown!
Who we are
Don't force a round peg into a square hole. We know how perfectly unique smaller businesses are.
We are Organisation for Responsible Businesses (ORB) and suitably, we're all about responsible business. We've been leading the charge since launching in 2010.
Frustrated by the lack of appropriate certification options for micro businesses, we collaborated with Anglia Ruskin University to develop the Responsible Business Standard (RBS) in 2011.
We're a member-owned not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. Our mission is to change the world, one small business at a time.
At the core, we are a membership organisation so if you'd like to join the tribe, head to our website to learn more about applying for membership.
Our approach
We do things differently here. Our certifications are tailor-made for micro businesses, with no confusing jargon - just a warm and engaging approach throughout.
We don't dictate what you should do. Instead, we help you uncover the true essence of your business, identify areas for improvement, and determine your next steps.
And we never, ever rely on box-ticking alone. We believe actual responsible business requires flexibility and nuance, not rigid formulas. That's why we created the ASTI approach, to adapt to your business's unique needs.
It all starts with the course
Our 6-week Facilitated ESG Course will take you on a soul-searching journey to identify if your business is operating ethically and responsibly and genuinely making a positive contribution to society.
Our business-orientated, pragmatic approach to responsible business, also referred to as ESG (Environment, Social & Governance) will encourage you to delve into the heart of your business, think about how you are operating now, how much better your business could be, and what steps you are going to take next.
Once you have completed the course, you can choose whether or not you wish to take any of the certification options. No pressure. Your choice.
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The world is changing faster than ever before, and many finally realise that no matter the size or shape of our organisation, our actions have an impact on people and the planet.
We must all strive to create a positive influence on society and our planet – not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's good for business.
In today's society, responsible businesses are the most profitable and sustainable (in the holistic sense of the word).
No organisation is too big to be held accountable, and no business is too small to make a difference.
That's why we invite you to embark on a journey with us and become the example we all wish to see.