What is B Corp?

B Corp is a certification that requires companies to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. To qualify, companies must have been in operation for at least 12 months, comply with all applicable laws, and incorporate stakeholder governance into their legal structure. They must complete the B Impact Assessment, meet its specific criteria, undergo third-party verification, and now must measure and report their carbon footprint.

Why is Kuyichi not a B Corp?

We wholeheartedly believe in what B Corp represents, but we've chosen a different path for now. As a small business, we have to be strategic about which certifications we pursue. Each certificate requires a significant investment of both time and resources. Currently, we've chosen to be a Fair Wear member brand, because their focus aligns perfectly with where we can make the biggest impact: improving working conditions in our supply chain.

While B Corp offers incredible value, its certification process is designed with larger corporate structures in mind. It requires extensive internal policies and documentation that, quite honestly, don't match how we operate as a small, close-knit team. We believe in creating a responsible working environment, but we do this through direct communication and flexibility. Our team is built around trust-based management and intrinsic motivation, rather than a formal employee handbook.

Will Kuyichi become a B Corp in the future?

That we’re not B Corp-certified now doesn’t mean we never will be. We respect what B Corp wants to achieve, but the current standards don’t go deep enough for us. They focus heavily on headquarters operations, while, in our opinion, requiring too little on supply chain due diligence. And, for a fashion brand, that’s where real impact happens. We prefer to invest our energy directly in our supply chain: improving working conditions, reducing environmental impact at the source, and conducting human rights due diligence. The new B Corp standards look promising, with a greater focus on the supply chain and higher thresholds for certification. As we grow and B Corp evolves, certification might become the right step. For now, we’re focusing on the work that matters most for us.