B Lab reopened its review into Hootsuite’s status as of late Monday after an undisclosed party appealed its decision to maintain Hootsuite’s certification. It had announced earlier that day the Vancouver-based company would keep its B Corp status because it had terminated its contract with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (The Logic)
Talking point: B Lab declined to comment on an open investigation, but according to a public statement it will complete the review by April. The organization bestows “benefit corporation” status on companies that meet its standards for socially and environmentally friendly business practices. To be certified, companies must also pay annual fees and “are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on all their stakeholders,” according to B Lab’s website. B Lab believes companies certify to be global leaders and attract talent, among other reasons. “People want to work for, buy from, and invest in businesses they believe in. B Corp Certification is the most powerful way to build credibility, trust, and value for your business,” its website states. Hootsuite, which did not respond to The Logic’s request for comment, recently created a corporate social responsibility director position who is responsible for maintaining the company’s B Corp status.