We are proud: we are B-Corp certified. Certified B-Corps are part of a global movement committed to transforming the global economic system. We stand for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy that benefits all people and the planet. To learn more about what this certification means for Glacier, we sat down with our two founders, Rainhard Fuchs and Andreas Tschas, for an interview.
Co-founders Andreas Tschas and Rainhard Fuchs in interview
Rainhard, what is a B Corp and how did the certification come about?
Rainhard Fuchs: B-Corporations, or B-Corps for short, are companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. The letter 'B' stands for 'Benefit for all'. The certification is demanding and comprehensively assesses a company's social and environmental impact. To become a B-Corp, we had to complete what is called an 'Impact Assessment', in which we answered more than 200 questions on topics such as corporate governance, employees, customers, community, and environmental impact. This process took us over six months and was a valuable opportunity to deeply reflect on and optimise our practices. Overall, we worked on it for almost one and a half years, from the initial idea to the final certification – which is quite a considerable amount of time for a startup like ours.
Andreas, why is this important from your perspective?
Andreas Tschas: At Glacier, our goal is to lead by example and contribute to a sustainable economy. The B-Corp certification gives us the opportunity not only to offer sustainable solutions but also to act as a role model for other companies. This certificate is more than just a seal of quality – it confirms that we consistently adhere to the highest social and environmental standards and are a reliable partner for sustainable transformation.
What does the certification mean for our customers?
Andreas Tschas: With the B-Corp certification, we provide our customers with the assurance that we at Glacier keep our promises and that our internal processes are certified and standardised accordingly. Only companies that achieve more than 80 points in the Impact Assessment receive the certificate. We currently have 99.0 points, which is a very strong result for a first-time certification. By obtaining the certificate, we commit to continuously developing further and setting specific improvement goals. In addition, the entire process must be repeated every three years, which shows our customers that our commitment to sustainability is not a one-off matter but is continuously lived out.
Rainhard, how many companies worldwide have a B Corp certification?
Rainhard Fuchs: Currently, more than 9,000 companies in 105 different countries and from various sectors are B-Corp certified. Considering that there are around 3.5 million companies in Germany alone, it becomes clear that the B-Corp community is still relatively small. But that is precisely why our goal is to keep working together until more and more companies become a force for good.
And how many are there in Austria?
Rainhard Fuchs: In Austria, there are currently only 10 B-Corps. This shows that we still have considerable potential here to further expand the B-Corp movement and inspire companies to become part of this global network for positive change. And that is what Glacier stands for – we take action and want to convince others of the positive sides of sustainability! Even as a small company, a lot is possible.
Rainhard, what challenges did you experience during the B Corp certification, and what did you learn from it?
Rainhard Fuchs: The B Corp certification is an intensive process. It wasn't just about documenting existing practices, but also about really looking deeply into our company and even making adjustments in some areas. One of the biggest challenges was documenting all our processes and policies in a way that meets B Lab's strict criteria. But this process helped us to act even more consciously and to improve in areas that may previously have been less in focus.
Andreas, how will you ensure that Glacier maintains the high B Corp standards in the coming years?
Andreas Tschas: We have already established structures to continuously improve. It is important to us that the certification doesn't remain a one-off matter, but that we also continue to develop between re-certifications. To this end, we have established internal processes to regularly review how we can improve our social and environmental standards.
Andreas, what advantages does the B Corp certification offer companies compared to other sustainability certificates?
Andreas Tschas: The B Corp certification goes far beyond pure environmental performance. It looks at the company holistically and includes aspects such as corporate governance, workers' rights, and social justice. What makes the B Corp certification special is the legal framework that obliges companies not only to pursue shareholder interests but also to do justice to the interests of employees, the environment, and the community. This comprehensive perspective fits perfectly with our mission at Glacier.
Rainhard, what would you advise other companies that want to become B Corp?
Rainhard Fuchs: My first piece of advice would be: take it step by step and make sure your team is behind the process. The B Corp certification is demanding, but every single question encourages you to shape your own company even more consciously. My second piece of advice would be: find partners who can support you on this journey. The B Corp community is large and offers many opportunities for exchange and support. Ask companies like us how exactly we did it, and thereby avoid the mistakes of others.
Finally, what is your long-term goal with the B Corp certification?
Andreas Tschas: Our goal is to be a role model for other companies and to shape a sustainable economy together. We want to show that economic success and social responsibility can go hand in hand. In the long term, we hope that more and more companies will follow our example and join the B Corp movement.