Since 2010, Surmesur has strived to constantly redefine industry rules. Our DNA places the customer experience at the heart of everything we do, starting by transforming how people dress, and encouraging our clients and employees to be their best selves.
Today, we are taking a major step that validates not only what we do, but more importantly, how we do it.
It is with immense pride that we announce a historic milestone for our company: Surmesur is now B Corp™ certified!
What does the “B” in B Corp stand for? It stands for “Beneficial” – for people and the planet, not just for shareholders.
The B Corp™ certification is more than just a label: it is a commitment to transparent management focused on social and environmental responsibility. In attaining our certificate, we offer our employees and customers total integrity.
To obtain B Corp™ certification, a company must undergo a rigorous evaluation of its internal processes to ensure they meet standards set by the nonprofit B Lab. By joining this international community of businesses (which includes leaders like Patagonia, Danone, and Ben & Jerry’s), we are legally and morally committed to balancing profit with a positive impact.
Points are assigned across five different pillars:
Employees: taking care of our team by improving their living conditions and well-being.
The fashion industry is one of the most negatively impactful industries on communities and the planet in terms of labour and environmental waste. By seeking B Corp certification, we want to align our actions with our values. Offering elegance and high-quality clothing should not come at the expense of those who make them or the planet that provides the raw materials.
In a project of this scale, there are always challenges. Certification requires extreme precision, so we had to ensure everything submitted was clear, concise, and accurate. This forced us to look honestly in the mirror and question some of our habits.
Data rigour: one of our greatest challenges was traceability. We had to trace our supply chains to understand the impact of every fabric and supplier (for example, did you know that in 2023, the carbon impact of a single jacket was estimated at 34.41 kg CO2e and required 11,000 liters of water? That’s the equivalent of drinking two liters of water a day… for 16 years). This pushed us to demand more transparency from our global partners and to realise that every action has a significant impact on the supply chain.
Process alignment: we had to formalise policies that, until now, had been based on goodwill but weren’t always documented (such as our waste management policies or local purchasing criteria).
Choosing the long term: at times, B Corp™ criteria forced us to choose the most ethical option over the simplest or cheapest one. These trade-offs are what give our certification its true value today.
This first certification is just the beginning. It provides a solid foundation to continue building. Every three years, we will be re-evaluated, and our processes will be re-analysed and re-certified. New goals are being set (we must always go further than before!), and we will work hard to reach them.
There is no status quo in continuous improvement!
Carbon footprint: We want to analyse our carbon emissions more finely to find additional ways to offset them, ensuring we collaborate with local communities.
Well-being initiatives: We will work on initiatives (harassment protection, diversity, and equity programs) to ensure Surmesur remains an environment where every talent, regardless of background, can fully thrive.
Circular economy: We will explore projects to give a second life to our fabric scraps and support our customers in sustainable garment care to extend the life of their clothes.
Ultimately, we achieved this certification because of all of you. Your attention to detail, your respect for every customer, and your team spirit are what truly make this journey a success. This achievement belongs to you.
All B Corps sign the Declaration of Interdependence as part of their certification, making a commitment to embody the values of the B Corp community and work towards our collective vision of an inclusive, regenerative economy.
We envision a global economy that uses business as a force for good. This economy is comprised of a new type of corporation—the B Corporation—which is purpose-driven and creates benefit for all stakeholders, not just shareholders. As B Corporations and leaders of this emerging economy, we believe that we must be the change we seek in the world. That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place matter. That through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all. To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations.