Oostwegel Collection certified as B Corp

Family business joins global movement for corporate responsibility

Oostwegel Collection is officially certified as a B Corp, joining a global movement of companies that are redefining business by putting people and planet at the heart of their business, not just finance. With the certification, the Limburg-based family business underlines its social and sustainable ambitions and aims to continue to distinguish itself in the hospitality sector. The recognition by B Lab, the non-profit organisation behind the B Corp movement, confirms that Oostwegel Collection meets strict social and ecological standards and looks beyond financial returns alone.

The B Corp Certification looks at the entire operation and assesses companies in five areas: governance, employees, community, environment and customers. The process is thorough and requires demonstrable results. Companies must score at least 80 out of 200 points and provide evidence of sustainable and socially responsible efforts, such as energy and water management, waste reduction, fair pay, diversity and transparency. In addition, the company is also required to legally record its social objectives in its articles of association. Recertification follows every three years to measure progress and encourage further improvements.

Important milestone

Camille Oostwegel, owner and managing director of Oostwegel Collection, says: "Achieving B Corp Certification marks an important milestone for our family-owned business, which celebrates its 45th anniversary in September. In recent years, we have invested in becoming more sustainable and strengthening our positive contribution to the community. The certification process has challenged us to critically evaluate every aspect of our operations and make improvements where necessary. While we are proud of what we have achieved so far, we see this mainly as a starting point. Our ambition is to keep raising the bar and show that hospitality and taking responsibility for people and planet can go hand in hand."

Oostwegel Collection is now part of a community of 10,000 companies worldwide certified as B Corp. Representing a broad cross-section of sectors and company sizes, the B Corp community in the Benelux includes more than 500 companies and well-known brands such as Bugaboo and Tony's Chocolonely. Oostwegel Collection is one of only eight B Corps in the accommodation sector in the Benelux.

Tessa van Soest, managing director of B Lab Benelux, said, "It's great to welcome Oostwegel Collection to the B Corp community. Their commitment to doing business differently will inspire others and really helps spread the idea that we can redefine success in the hospitality industry, where people and planet are as important as profit."

The official announcement can be viewed via this video: