Rip Curl Joins B Corp Movement
Iconic Australian surf brand Rip Curl is proud to announce it is now a B Corp Certified Corporation (B Corp), joining a global community of businesses who are driving accountability for their impact on people, planet, and community.
The B Corp certification is a reflection of Rip Curl’s commitment to balancing profit with the organisation’s impact on the ocean and beaches that are central to the surfing way of life, along with the people who make up the wider community. The brand has bold ESG targets and the B Corp certification is a stamp of independent approval that Rip Curl is meeting stringent standards for positive social and environmental impact.
The certification is a significant achievement for Rip Curl, recognising the hard work it has undertaken to hit the mark. Included in the certification is the brand’s wetsuit factory in Thailand, as well as its owned operations based around the world, including USA, Canada, Europe, Japan, Indonesia, Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia.
Rip Curl chief executive officer, Brooke Farris, said the certification marks another incredible achievement for the company.
“We are so proud to receive B Corp certification. Our Rip Curl crew have welcomed the challenge of certifying against the high-standards required of running responsible business. The process with B-Lab has seen us both develop and implement a benefit mindset company wide. We continue to make significant steps in progressing as a sustainable brand, with our Global Wetsuit take-back program and the Reflect step of our Reconciliation Action Plan just recently approved. We are motivated by the positive impact we can make both now and in the future.
B Corps are for-profit organisations whose performance is measured across five impact areas: governance, workers, customers, community and the environment. Companies must document their positive impact to apply using the B Impact Assessment tool, and undergo an independent verification process every three years to achieve and maintain certification.
Legendary 3X Surfing Champion, Australian surfer, Mick Fanning, is stoked to be on board with Rip Curl as the company levels up.
"I am proud to represent a brand that believes in doing its part to protect the environment, support our communities, and is committed to using business as a force for good,” Fanning said.
KMD Brands Managing Director and Group CEO Michael Daly said Rip Curl’s certification means the entire KMD business is now globally recognised as a B Corporation.
“We’re so proud that all three of our brands – Rip Curl, Kathmandu, and Oboz – are now officially B Corp certified. Initially certified in 2019, Kathmandu has achieved recertification after significantly improving on its operations,” Daly said.
“Now, we are incredibly pleased to see Rip Curl, along with Oboz, step up to the plate and achieve B Corp certification for the first time. We are honoured to have B Lab commend Rip Curl on its accountability on people, planet, and community. Our commitment to balancing people, planet, and profit now runs through our entire business and we look forward to continuing to produce high-quality products that consumers love, while respecting the community and environment we work with.”
