Building Credibility for Sustainability in Asia Korea Conformity Laboratories (KCL) has established itself as a leader in sustainable supply chain management across Asia. With a mission to drive environmental and social responsibility, KCL offers credible Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) certification services to small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) - a critical market segment often overlooked in global sustainability standards.
Since July 2023, KCL has been a leading auditing partner of Green Business Benchmark (GBB) for companies in Asia across Construction & Materials, Renewable Energy, Consumer Products, Medical Appliances, and Logistics, bringing globally recognized ESG certification to the region. This partnership aligns directly with KCL’s vision of empowering SMEs in the industries above to adopt sustainability practices not just as compliance requirements, but as strategic business differentiators.
Overcoming Barriers to Sustainability Before working with GBB, KCL encountered several industry-wide challenges that hindered the widespread adoption of ESG certifications for supply chains:
Cost and Accessibility: Global certifications were often cost-prohibitive for SMEs, and complex processes made them challenging to implement effectively.Lack of Localized Support: Korea lacked established sustainability certification frameworks, leaving SMEs unequipped to respond to requirements from key stakeholders including buyers and investors.Stakeholder Demands: Increasing pressure from customers and international partners for third-party verification left many businesses struggling to retain contracts without credible certifications.These obstacles created a pressing need for a solution tailored to fit the operational realities of SMEs while still adhering to international standards.
Why KCL Turned to Green Business Benchmark KCL sought a partner that shared its commitment to accessibility and measurable impact. During its search for global supply chain solutions, GBB emerged as the ideal choice against other other certification standards like B Corp and EcoVadis.
What Set GBB Apart: SME-Focused Practicality: GBB offered a streamlined sustainability performance and assessment framework, designed with smaller organizations in mind.Global Recognition: Certification from GBB carried credibility that resonated with international buyers and stakeholders.Efficient Auditing Process: GBB's process was straightforward, enabling businesses to implement fast and effective ESG strategies.Extensive Initiative Content: GBB has a deep repository of sustainability initiatives by industry, objective, and measurement to curate tailored programs.KCL was further impressed with the alignment of GBB’s values and officially partnered with GBB in July 2023.
Positive Change Through Collaboration KCL’s partnership with GBB has brought immediate, tangible results to businesses navigating ESG requirements in Asia.
Strengthening Trust and Securing Business Growth Through GBB certification, KCL has played a pivotal role in helping SMEs build credibility with stakeholders. For example, a mid-sized manufacturing client - aided by KCL’s audit and consulting services - secured a long-term European contract after achieving GBB certification. Milestones like this showcase the real-world value of GBB-certified sustainability practices.
Expanding ESG Adoption in Supply Chains KCL has significantly boosted the adoption of sustainable practices among its clients - integrating GBB certification into its suite of ESG consulting services. SMEs have reported improved supply chain transparency, performance, and better alignment with international expectations, positioning them competitively on a global stage.
Key Impacts: Client Trust: Enhanced stakeholder confidence due to credible, globally recognized certification.ESG Adoption: Broader and faster uptake of sustainability frameworks in SME supply chains.Industry Leadership: Establishing KCL as the go-to hub for ESG certification in Asia.A Foundation for a Sustainable Future KCL and GBB have demonstrated the power of collaboration to drive impactful change in the sustainability space. In bridging the gap between international certification standards and SME-specific challenges, KCL is empowering businesses across Asia in Construction & Materials, Renewable Energy, Consumer Products, Medical Appliances, and Logistics to achieve measurable ESG excellence.
Together, KCL and GBB are not just enabling compliance and a culture of sustainability but providing a catalyst for operational efficiencies and optimization through its practices. Companies are turning responsibility into a competitive advantage to boost growth and impact. The partnership has brought globally recognized sustainability certification, programming, and efficient audit processing to businesses - enhancing stakeholder trust, increasing adoption, and driving new revenue opportunities.