The BCome Eco-Score evaluates a product’s sustainability performance based on a wide range of “Best Practices”. These are specific, verifiable actions, commitments, or certifications that your brand or suppliers implement to improve their environmental, social, and ethical performance.
The practices are organized into the four pillars of the Eco-Score: Planet, People, Transparency, and Circularity.
Planet
This pillar assesses the environmental management of the supply chain. Best practices focus on minimizing negative impacts on ecosystems, climate, and natural resources.
- Sustainable raw materials: The use of certified raw materials, such as organic, regenerative, or recycled fibers, to reduce environmental impact.
- Animal welfare: Adherence to certifications that ensure the humane and ethical treatment of animals in the supply chain.
- Water stewardship: Implementing responsible water management practices, validated by certifications, to reduce water consumption and pollution.
- Energy management: The use of renewable energy sources and the implementation of energy efficiency measures, often verified by certifications.
- Chemical management: Following strict standards for chemical use, such as ZDHC, bluesign®, or REACH, to eliminate hazardous substances.
- Sustainable packaging: Using certified, recycled, or lightweight materials to minimize the environmental footprint of product packaging.
- Responsible transport: Prioritizing transportation modes with lower environmental impacts, such as sea freight over air freight.
People
This pillar focuses on social responsibility, ensuring that all workers in the supply chain are treated with respect and that business is conducted ethically.
- Labor rights and working conditions: Ensuring fair and safe working conditions, validated by recognized social audits and certifications like SA8000 or FLA.
- Community engagement: Developing initiatives that positively contribute to the local communities where the business operates.
- Ethical business practices: A commitment to anti-corruption and ethical conduct, which can be validated by certifications like ISO 37001.
Transparency
This pillar evaluates the extent to which a brand openly discloses information about its supply chain and corporate governance.
- Supply chain traceability: Providing detailed information on suppliers at all levels of the supply chain, from the final manufacturing stage (Tier 1) back to the source of raw materials (Tier 4).
- Corporate governance and reporting: Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability at a corporate level through certifications like BCorp or by adhering to sustainability reporting standards like GRI.
Circularity
This pillar assesses the implementation of circular economy principles aimed at eliminating waste and keeping materials in use for as long as possible.
- Waste management: Adopting practices to reduce waste during production (pre-consumer) and systems that facilitate the collection and recycling of products at their end-of-life (post-consumer).
- Circular product design: Designing products with their entire lifecycle in mind, focusing on durability, reparability, recyclability, and the use of mono-materials.
- Circular business models: Implementing services that extend a product’s life, such as rental programs, repair services, or take-back schemes.