Methodology

How Mashinii scores companies

Eleven values. Each scored from -100 to +100 on a consistent rubric. Every score is built from evidence in the public record — court filings, regulatory actions, investigative journalism, and NGO investigations — not self-reported disclosures. Below is the full scoring manual: KPIs, evidence sources, and how a score moves between tiers.

The -100 to +100 scale

Each company is scored on every value on a continuous scale: -100 (systematic failure) through 0 (neutral or mixed signals) to +100 (best-in-class, documented leadership). Scores below -10 flag meaningful negative exposure at the portfolio level. The scale is directional — higher is better on every value.

-100-500+50+100

Worst-in-classBelow averageNeutralAbove averageBest-in-class

How a score is built

Each score combines two passes against the same value:

Business core

What the company does at its core (per its industry classification and business description). A weapons manufacturer scored against No War, No Weapons starts deep in the negative; a solar developer scored against Planet-Friendly starts positive. Anchors the score before any news evidence is read.

Behavioral evidence

What the company has actually done (per news, court filings, regulatory actions, NGO investigations). Each KPI in the rubric is matched against specific articles and assigned a tier from -100 to +100. Pledges and forward-looking statements don't count — only documented actions and outcomes.

Blend

The two passes are blended with weight ramping toward behavioral evidence as more KPIs are evidenced. When the business-core call is unambiguous (a pure-play weapons or fossil fuel firm), behavioral noise can't override it.

Citations

Every factual claim in a score explanation is followed by an inline citation linking to the source article. Click any superscript number to open the article that supports the claim.

Materiality and Not Applicable

Materiality is the gate. A value is scored when the company has direct operations, products, or material indirect exposure relevant to it; otherwise it is marked Not Applicable and excluded from portfolio aggregates. Material indirect exposure — financing, underwriting, or supply-chain participation that the public record establishes as significant and ongoing — can move a value from Not Applicable back into scope.

What we read

Mashinii evidence comes from the public record. We do not use self-reported ESG data or ratings from other aggregators.

· Court filings and settlements
· Regulatory enforcement actions (SEC, FCA, FTC, DOJ, EPA, etc.)
· Investigative journalism
· NGO reports and watchdog investigations
· SEC filings (10-K, 20-F, N-PORT for funds)
· Supplier and human-rights audits (where publicly disclosed)

How scores roll up

Company score

Average of the 11 value scores for that company.

Fund score

Position-weighted average of each underlying holding's value scores, adjusted with Buhlmann credibility (z = n / (n + 1)) so values with thin coverage are pulled toward zero.

Portfolio score

Position-weighted average of holding-level scores across the portfolio; per-value portfolio scores expose which dimensions are net-negative and what percentage of portfolio weight is net-negative on each value.

Jump to a value

Planet-Friendly Business Honest & Fair Business No War, No Weapons Fair Pay & Worker Respect Better Health for All Safe & Smart Tech Kind to Animals Respect for Cultures & Communities Fair Money & Economic Opportunity Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Value

Planet-Friendly Business

Companies that actively reduce pollution and lower their carbon footprint.

This category focuses on businesses that engage in proactive environmental stewardship. They prioritize clean energy sources, invest in sustainable operations, and minimize pollution or ecological harm. They often track and publicly report carbon emissions and set science-based targets for climate action. Beyond operational improvements, Planet-Friendly Businesses address climate justice by considering how their activities impact vulnerable communities, indigenous peoples, and future generations. They develop forward-looking strategies that anticipate climate risks and opportunities while supporting ecosystem resilience.

What this value does not cover: It does not address zero-waste product design or responsible sourcing in supply chains. Those considerations are found in other categories like Zero Waste & Sustainable Products and Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing. While Planet-Friendly Business touches on biodiversity, it focuses on ecosystem health as part of climate action rather than animal welfare, which is covered under Kind to Animals. General ethical business practices without specific environmental dimensions fall under Honest & Fair Business.

Rating labels

Climate OffenderGreen TransitioningEarth Guardian

We label a company Climate Offender when its evidence trends negative, Green Transitioning when signals are mixed, and Earth Guardian when the public record shows documented leadership on this dimension.

View KPIs and scoring rubric(26 KPIs · 5 tiers)

Signals we look for (26)

Each KPI contributes to the overall score for this value. Every KPI has a named evidence source — none are based on self-reported disclosures.

Scope 1 2 3 Emissions

Total Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse-gas emissions (tCO₂e).

Evidence: CDP disclosures; sustainability-report emissions tables.

SBTi Aligned Targets

Existence of SBTi-validated, science-based carbon reduction targets.

Evidence: SBTi website; corporate climate-commitments in annual reports.

Renewable Energy (%)

Share of operational energy consumption sourced from renewables (%).

Evidence: Energy-procurement records; renewable-energy certificates.

Water Use per Revenue

Water withdrawn per revenue unit (m³ per $1 M revenue).

Evidence: Environmental disclosures; CEO Water Mandate reports.

Buildings Green Certified (%)

Share of facilities with LEED, BREEAM or equivalent certification (%).

Evidence: Facilities-management reports; certification registries.

Waste Diversion Rate

Portion of waste diverted from landfill by reuse, recycling or recovery (%).

Evidence: Waste-management audits; ESG waste reports.

Capex EU Taxonomy (%)

Share of capital expenditure aligned with EU Sustainable Taxonomy (%).

Evidence: Financial filings; taxonomy-alignment disclosures.

Lifecycle Impact Analysis (%)

Share of product lines with full life-cycle environmental assessments (%).

Evidence: LCA reports; product-sustainability documentation.

Recycled to Virgin Ratio

Ratio of recycled material to virgin material used (recycled : virgin).

Evidence: Procurement data; material-sourcing audits.

Carbon Offset Quality Rating

Weighted quality score of carbon offsets used (e.g., Gold Standard).

Evidence: Offset registries; third-party certification databases.

Climate Positive Initiatives

Percentage of EBIT reinvested in climate-positive or carbon-negative initiatives.

Evidence: Financial statements; CSR investment disclosures.

Supply Chain Climate Transparency

Depth of climate-impact disclosure for Tier 1–3 suppliers.

Evidence: CDP Supply Chain reports; supplier questionnaires.

Suppliers SBTi Targets (%)

Share of key suppliers with their own SBTi-aligned targets (%).

Evidence: Supplier-engagement logs; SBTi supplier records.

Biodiversity Efforts

Scale and outcomes of biodiversity conservation or restoration programs.

Evidence: Conservation-partnership reports; independent audits.

Deforestation Policy Implementation

Effectiveness of no-deforestation policies across operations and supply chain.

Evidence: Satellite monitoring data; NGO verification reports; supplier audits.

Annual Env Compliance Violations

Number of environmental compliance violations recorded per year.

Evidence: Regulatory filings; enforcement agency databases.

# Env Impact Assessments

Count of projects subject to full environmental impact assessments.

Evidence: EIA registry; project planning documents.

Net-Zero Target Year

Stated and verified net-zero carbon target year.

Evidence: Climate action plans; SBTi validation statements.

TCFD Alignment

Degree of alignment with TCFD climate-risk disclosure recommendations.

Evidence: Annual reports; TCFD-disclosure indices.

Climate Scenario Analysis

Robustness of climate scenario analysis with 1.5°C, 2°C, and 3°C+ pathways.

Evidence: TCFD reports; annual disclosures; investor presentations.

Stranded Assets Transparency

Transparency regarding climate-related stranded asset risks and strategy.

Evidence: Financial disclosures; investor presentations; board risk discussions.

Water from Stressed Basins (%)

Portion of water withdrawal sourced from water-stressed basins (%).

Evidence: Water-risk assessments; WWF Water Risk Filter data.

Packaging CO₂ Reduction

Percentage reduction in packaging CO₂ per unit versus baseline (%).

Evidence: Packaging LCA studies; sustainability progress reports.

Climate Justice Initiatives

Quality and scale of programs addressing disproportionate climate impacts on vulnerable communities.

Evidence: CSR reports; environmental justice partnerships; community investment disclosures.

Just Transition Programs

Support for workers and communities transitioning from high-carbon to low-carbon economies.

Evidence: HR policies; community investment reports; reskilling program documentation.

Climate Adaptation Financing

Investment in climate adaptation for vulnerable communities as percentage of climate spending.

Evidence: Climate finance reports; adaptation project documentation; partnership agreements.

How scores move between tiers

Representative score levels. Click any tier to read the KPI-by-KPI criteria — as more KPIs meet the higher-tier description, the aggregate score climbs.

-100Worst-in-class

26 criteria · click to read

Scope 1 2 3 Emissions: Emits >10 000 000 tCO₂e annually across Scope 1–3 with no reporting or reduction plan; worst-in-class carbon footprint.

SBTi Aligned Targets: No science-based targets; actively opposes SBTi or similar frameworks.

Renewable Energy (%): 0 % energy from renewables; all power from unabated fossil fuels.

Water Use per Revenue: >50 000 m³ per $1 M revenue; catastrophic water consumption.

Buildings Green Certified (%): 0 % of facilities certified; no green-building standards applied.

Waste Diversion Rate: 0 % waste diverted; all waste to landfill or incineration.

Capex EU Taxonomy (%): 0 % of capex aligns with EU taxonomy; investments solely in brown assets.

Lifecycle Impact Analysis (%): No LCAs conducted; product impacts entirely unassessed.

Recycled to Virgin Ratio: 0:100 recycled:virgin ratio; relies exclusively on virgin materials.

Carbon Offset Quality Rating: No offsets used; any claimed offsets are uncertified or very low quality.

Climate Positive Initiatives: 0 % EBIT reinvested; no climate-positive or negative initiatives.

Supply Chain Climate Transparency: No supplier disclosures; Tier 1–3 emissions completely opaque.

Suppliers SBTi Targets (%): 0 % suppliers with SBTi targets; supply chain entirely unengaged.

Biodiversity Efforts: No biodiversity programs; operations actively destroy habitats.

Deforestation Policy Implementation: No deforestation policy; directly contributes to primary forest clearing; sources from recently deforested lands.

Annual Env Compliance Violations: >10 major violations per year; recurrent fines and enforcement actions.

# Env Impact Assessments: 0 projects assessed; no environmental review of any developments.

Net-Zero Target Year: No net-zero year declared; no intent to decarbonize.

TCFD Alignment: No TCFD disclosures; no climate-risk governance.

Climate Scenario Analysis: No climate scenario analysis; actively dismisses climate risks in planning.

Stranded Assets Transparency: No disclosure of climate-related asset risks; actively misleads investors about fossil-based assets.

Water from Stressed Basins (%): >90 % water from high-stress basins; severe local impacts.

Packaging CO₂ Reduction: 0 % packaging reduction; packaging CO₂ intensifies each year.

Climate Justice Initiatives: No consideration of climate justice; operations disproportionately burden vulnerable communities; actively opposes environmental justice policies.

Just Transition Programs: No transition support; mass layoffs during carbon-reduction initiatives with no worker assistance; actively opposes transition policies.

Climate Adaptation Financing: 0% of climate spending on adaptation; exclusively focuses on carbon reduction with no community resilience support.

-50Below average

20 criteria · click to read

Scope 1 2 3 Emissions: 2–3 M tCO₂e; transparent reporting with year-on-year declines.

SBTi Aligned Targets: Validated targets with published progress dashboards.

Renewable Energy (%): 20–30 % renewables; multiple on-site installations.

Water Use per Revenue: 10 000–15 000 m³/$1 M; water-reduction targets met or exceeded.

Buildings Green Certified (%): 20–30 % certified; certifications cover major offices.

Waste Diversion Rate: 30–40 % diversion; advanced recycling and composting.

Capex EU Taxonomy (%): 20–30 % aligned; taxonomy integration across capex planning.

Lifecycle Impact Analysis (%): 20–30 % product lines assessed; regular updates published.

Recycled to Virgin Ratio: 20:80 ratio; recycled material standard for key products.

Carbon Offset Quality Rating: High-quality portfolio covers 20 % of footprint.

Supply Chain Climate Transparency: 40 % Tier 1–2 supplier disclosure; expansion to Tier 3 planned.

Biodiversity Efforts: Projects protect 5–8 % of operational land; measurable outcomes reported.

Suppliers SBTi Targets (%): 25 % suppliers with SBTi targets; mid-term supplier roadmap in place.

Annual Env Compliance Violations: Zero violations; exemplary compliance history.

# Env Impact Assessments: 12–15 EIAs annually; includes smaller initiatives.

Net-Zero Target Year: Target 2028 with public progress and interim goals.

TCFD Alignment: Advanced TCFD disclosures; climate-risk integrated in ERM.

Water from Stressed Basins (%): 10–20 % sourced from stressed basins; mitigation underway.

Packaging CO₂ Reduction: 15–20 % reduction; redesign standard across product lines.

Climate Positive Initiatives: 4–5 % EBIT reinvested; scaling carbon-removal partnerships.

0Neutral / mixed

26 criteria · click to read

Scope 1 2 3 Emissions: N/A – company has no material GHG emissions footprint (e.g., pure services provider).

SBTi Aligned Targets: N/A – no carbon-emitting operations to target.

Renewable Energy (%): N/A – energy usage negligible or outsourced entirely.

Water Use per Revenue: N/A – water usage minimal or not material.

Buildings Green Certified (%): N/A – no owned facilities to certify.

Waste Diversion Rate: N/A – waste streams not material to operations.

Capex EU Taxonomy (%): N/A – capex outside EU taxonomy scope.

Lifecycle Impact Analysis (%): N/A – no products to assess LCA.

Recycled to Virgin Ratio: N/A – material sourcing not applicable.

Carbon Offset Quality Rating: N/A – no emissions to offset.

Climate Positive Initiatives: N/A – no climate initiatives needed.

Supply Chain Climate Transparency: N/A – supply chain climate impact not material.

Suppliers SBTi Targets (%): N/A – no upstream suppliers with emissions footprint.

Biodiversity Efforts: N/A – operations do not affect biodiversity.

Deforestation Policy Implementation: N/A – operations and supply chain not connected to forest risk commodities.

Annual Env Compliance Violations: N/A – no environmental compliance obligations.

# Env Impact Assessments: N/A – no projects requiring EIAs.

Net-Zero Target Year: N/A – no net-zero commitment required.

TCFD Alignment: N/A – climate-risk disclosure not applicable.

Climate Scenario Analysis: N/A – business model has minimal climate sensitivity.

Stranded Assets Transparency: N/A – no assets at risk from climate transition.

Water from Stressed Basins (%): N/A – water sourcing not material.

Packaging CO₂ Reduction: N/A – no packaging operations.

Climate Justice Initiatives: N/A – operations have minimal climate justice implications.

Just Transition Programs: N/A – no workforce or communities affected by low-carbon transition.

Climate Adaptation Financing: N/A – business has minimal role in climate adaptation needs.

+50Above average

26 criteria · click to read

Scope 1 2 3 Emissions: ≤0.1 M tCO₂e; >30 % annual decline; industry-leading low footprint.

SBTi Aligned Targets: Targets exceeded by >20 %; continuous updates to net-negative goals.

Renewable Energy (%): 100 % renewable and surplus exported to grid.

Water Use per Revenue: <50 m³/$1 M; net-positive water replenishment.

Buildings Green Certified (%): 100 % platinum-level certifications.

Waste Diversion Rate: 100 % diversion; zero-waste across all operations.

Capex EU Taxonomy (%): 100 % taxonomy-aligned with additional green bond financing.

Lifecycle Impact Analysis (%): 100 % automated, real-time LCAs for all SKUs.

Recycled to Virgin Ratio: 95:5 ratio; near-total recycled material usage.

Carbon Offset Quality Rating: 100 % negative-emission credits with permanent storage.

Climate Positive Initiatives: 20–25 % EBIT reinvested; tenure of carbon-negative projects extended.

Supply Chain Climate Transparency: 100 % live-stream supplier emissions data.

Suppliers SBTi Targets (%): 100 % of suppliers with verified, ambitious targets.

Biodiversity Efforts: 50–60 % land under protection; active species reintroduction.

Deforestation Policy Implementation: Zero-deforestation verified across 100% of supply chain; active forest restoration programs; third-party verified monitoring with public transparency.

Annual Env Compliance Violations: Zero; best-in-class compliance recognized by regulators.

# Env Impact Assessments: 60–75 EIAs/year; continuous improvement cycle.

Net-Zero Target Year: Net-negative achieved; now investing in global carbon drawdown.

TCFD Alignment: TCFD leadership; climate risk central to business strategy.

Climate Scenario Analysis: Advanced scenario analysis covering diverse climate scenarios including high-impact low-probability events; strategic planning fully integrated with scenario outcomes; public disclosure of methodology and results.

Stranded Assets Transparency: Comprehensive transparency of all climate-vulnerable assets; detailed transition timeline with capital allocation plans; risk quantification with Monte Carlo simulations.

Water from Stressed Basins (%): –100 % water-positive operations regionally and globally.

Packaging CO₂ Reduction: 70–80 % reduction; active packaging reuse economy.

Climate Justice Initiatives: Comprehensive climate justice program with dedicated budget (3-4% of climate spending); co-created with affected communities; quantifiable equity improvements; regular public reporting on outcomes.

Just Transition Programs: Industry-leading transition support with guaranteed employment or full income maintenance; substantial community investment in economic diversification; collaborative planning with all stakeholders.

Climate Adaptation Financing: 30-40% of climate spending on community adaptation with focus on most vulnerable regions; established partnerships with measurable resilience improvements.

+100Best-in-class

26 criteria · click to read

Scope 1 2 3 Emissions: 0 tCO₂e; fully carbon neutral and regenerative across all scopes.

SBTi Aligned Targets: Targets ratcheted to 0 °C; recognized for science-led ambition.

Renewable Energy (%): 100 % renewable self-generation with surplus powering communities.

Water Use per Revenue: 0 m³/$1 M; net-positive water steward at watershed scale.

Buildings Green Certified (%): 100 % regenerative and net-positive building certifications.

Waste Diversion Rate: Zero waste generated; closed-loop circular economy in place.

Capex EU Taxonomy (%): 100 % aligned across all sustainable taxonomies globally.

Lifecycle Impact Analysis (%): 100 % products with dynamic, real-time environmental scoring.

Recycled to Virgin Ratio: 100:0 ratio; no virgin materials used anywhere.

Carbon Offset Quality Rating: 100 % high-integrity, permanent negative emissions; pioneering removals.

Climate Positive Initiatives: ≥50 % EBIT reinvested; global climate solutions platform founder.

Supply Chain Climate Transparency: 100 % open, real-time supplier platform with full emission and risk data.

Suppliers SBTi Targets (%): 100 % suppliers on science-based <0.5 °C pathways; co-owned transition programs.

Biodiversity Efforts: 100 % ecosystems under active, measured restoration; biodiversity-positive operations.

Deforestation Policy Implementation: Zero-deforestation champion with 100% verified compliance; regenerative forestry practices; industry-leading monitoring and enforcement.

Annual Env Compliance Violations: Zero; co-author of global compliance frameworks.

# Env Impact Assessments: Real-time impact assessment embedded in every process change.

Net-Zero Target Year: Carbon-negative since inception; regenerative across entire value chain.

TCFD Alignment: Architect of TCFD regulations; real-time climate financial integration.

Climate Scenario Analysis: Industry-leading scenario analysis with continuous updates; multiple pathways modeled; comprehensive risk quantification integrated into all strategic decisions.

Stranded Assets Transparency: Full transparent disclosure of all potential stranded assets; comprehensive transition plan for at-risk assets; pioneering valuation methodologies.

Water from Stressed Basins (%): 0 %; leading global water restoration consortium member.

Packaging CO₂ Reduction: 100 % packaging net-carbon positive, sequestering CO₂.

Climate Justice Initiatives: Transformative climate justice programs co-designed with affected communities; dedicated budget >5% of climate spending; measurable improvements in environmental equity; industry leadership in addressing historical environmental injustice.

Just Transition Programs: Comprehensive transition support with full income maintenance, education/reskilling, and placement services; community economic diversification investments; industry-leading just transition framework adopted by peers.

Climate Adaptation Financing: ≥50% of climate spending directed to adaptation in vulnerable communities; comprehensive resilience partnerships with measurable outcomes; global leadership in adaptation finance.

External benchmarks

Certifications

ISO 14001 Environmental Management · ISO 50001 Energy Management · ISO 14064 GHG Reporting · LEED Certification · B Corp Environmental Standards

Standards & frameworks

Paris Agreement Compliance · Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) · CDP Climate Disclosure · TCFD Recommendations · EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities

Value

Honest & Fair Business

Rates corporate integrity, disclosure quality, and anti-corruption performance.

Negative tiers penalize fraud, opaque reporting, and customer deception. Positive tiers reward clean regulatory records, rapid complaint resolution, strong whistle-blower protection, and world-class transparency. Companies score highest when they maintain zero regulatory fines, publish comprehensive disclosures, protect whistle-blowers, and demonstrate exemplary board independence.

What this value does not cover: Does not rate worker pay (see Fair Pay & Worker Respect) or consumer-finance fairness (see Fair Money & Economic Opportunity). Also not focused on environmental performance unless specifically related to disclosure accuracy or greenwashing claims.

Rating labels

Integrity ViolatorTransparency SeekerEthics Exemplar

We label a company Integrity Violator when its evidence trends negative, Transparency Seeker when signals are mixed, and Ethics Exemplar when the public record shows documented leadership on this dimension.

View KPIs and scoring rubric(10 KPIs · 5 tiers)

Signals we look for (10)

Each KPI contributes to the overall score for this value. Every KPI has a named evidence source — none are based on self-reported disclosures.

Regulatory Fines 3y

Total value of ethics-related regulatory fines in the past three years (USD).

Evidence: SEC / DOJ releases, FCA & EU sanction registers, company 10-K, litigation disclosures.

Transparency Index

Score from a recognised transparency benchmark (e.g., TI CPTI, CDP).

Evidence: Transparency International, CDP, WBA indices, GRI compliance level.

Whistleblower Policy

Presence and strength of a formal whistle-blower protection policy.

Evidence: Corporate governance charter, policy handbook, ISO 37002 certification, hotline statistics.

Financial Restatements

Average number of annual financial restatements over the past five years.

Evidence: SEC restatement database, audited annual reports, Form 8-K filings.

Audit Coverage Pct

% of revenue, assets, or subsidiaries covered by independent external audit.

Evidence: Audit opinion notes, CSR data tables, integrated reports, subsidiary financial statements.

ESG Controversy Index

Severity-weighted ESG controversy score (lower is better).

Evidence: Refinitiv, MSCI, Sustainalytics controversy datasets, RepRisk metrics.

Complaint Resolution Time

Median days to close customer or stakeholder ethics complaints.

Evidence: Ombudsman data, CSR KPI dashboards, regulator ADR stats, customer service metrics.

Board Conflict Free Pct

% of board members free from material conflicts of interest.

Evidence: Proxy statements, corporate register, Glass Lewis reports, ISS governance ratings.

Anti Corruption Policy

Strength and enforcement of anti-corruption and anti-bribery policies.

Evidence: FCPA compliance documentation, anti-corruption training records, third-party due diligence processes.

Third Party Verification

Extent of independent verification of ethical claims and compliance.

Evidence: External audit opinions, ISO certifications, ethical business certifications (B Corp, etc.).

How scores move between tiers

Representative score levels. Click any tier to read the KPI-by-KPI criteria — as more KPIs meet the higher-tier description, the aggregate score climbs.

-100Worst-in-class

10 criteria · click to read

Regulatory Fines 3y: Over $1 billion in ethics-related fines in the last three years; executives repeatedly prosecuted for fraud and corruption.

Transparency Index: Scores below 10/100 on major benchmarks (TI, CDP), with opaque reporting and hidden disclosures.

Whistleblower Policy: No formal policy exists; documented retaliation against whistle-blowers and suppression of internal reports.

Financial Restatements: Conducts ≥4 restatements per year, signaling systemic misreporting and deliberate financial obfuscation.

Audit Coverage Pct: <20% of revenue or assets covered by independent audit; vast swathes of operations unchecked.

ESG Controversy Index: Placed in the bottom 10% of ESG controversy scores, with multiple public scandals unresolved.

Complaint Resolution Time: Stakeholder and customer complaints languish >365 days with no resolution or follow-up.

Board Conflict Free Pct: <20% of board seats held by conflict-free directors; pervasive related-party ties.

Anti Corruption Policy: No anti-corruption policy exists; multiple documented cases of bribery, kickbacks, or facilitation payments.

Third Party Verification: No independent verification of ethical claims; deliberately misleading statements about compliance and ethics.

-50Below average

10 criteria · click to read

Regulatory Fines 3y: $20–50 million in minor regulatory penalties, often for late filings or disclosures.

Transparency Index: Scores 50–55, meeting baseline expectations with limited voluntary reporting.

Whistleblower Policy: Policy exists but training limited; uptake low due to awareness gaps.

Financial Restatements: Restatement every 2–3 years, typically for non-critical disclosures.

Audit Coverage Pct: ≈65% coverage by external auditors; internal audit function under-resourced.

ESG Controversy Index: Slightly below median controversy score, few recurring issues.

Complaint Resolution Time: Average ~120 days, improving with pilot case-management tools.

Board Conflict Free Pct: ~55% conflict-free directors, including some retired executives.

Anti Corruption Policy: Policy covers key operations with annual acknowledgment requirements; some training gaps remain.

Third Party Verification: Approximately 45% of ethical claims independently verified; verification becoming more systematic.

0Neutral / mixed

10 criteria · click to read

Regulatory Fines 3y: N/A – organization operates outside regulated sectors requiring ethics fines.

Transparency Index: N/A – no applicable transparency index coverage.

Whistleblower Policy: N/A – minimal workforce with no formal whistle-blowing channel.

Financial Restatements: N/A – no public financial reporting requirement.

Audit Coverage Pct: N/A – no mandatory external audits conducted.

ESG Controversy Index: N/A – not covered by major ESG controversy providers.

Complaint Resolution Time: N/A – no formal complaints mechanism exists.

Board Conflict Free Pct: N/A – small owner-managed company with no board structure.

Anti Corruption Policy: N/A – organization operates in a context where anti-corruption policies are not applicable.

Third Party Verification: N/A – no public ethical claims requiring verification.

+50Above average

10 criteria · click to read

Regulatory Fines 3y: Zero fines; proactively self-reports potential breaches under voluntary frameworks.

Transparency Index: Scores 88–90, integrates ESG data into executive dashboards.

Whistleblower Policy: ISO 37002–aligned whistleblower programme; 100% trained staff.

Financial Restatements: No restatements; audit committee reports publicly on governance.

Audit Coverage Pct: ≈97% audited, including all affiliates.

ESG Controversy Index: Top-15% controversy score; recognized by Sustainalytics.

Complaint Resolution Time: Median ~25 days; publishes quarterly summary.

Board Conflict Free Pct: ~88% independent, with external chair.

Anti Corruption Policy: Gold standard policy with documented effectiveness; includes all global operations with high-risk assessments.

Third Party Verification: Approximately 92% of ethical claims independently verified with comprehensive assurance framework.

+100Best-in-class

10 criteria · click to read

Regulatory Fines 3y: Zero fines ever; company cited by OECD for ethics leadership.

Transparency Index: Scores 98–100; sets global norms for real-time disclosure.

Whistleblower Policy: Gold-standard policy; 100% staff trained, median resolution <24h.

Financial Restatements: Never restated; audit trail publicly accessible on blockchain.

Audit Coverage Pct: 100% coverage with live external audit feeds.

ESG Controversy Index: Best-in-class score; no recorded controversies since inception.

Complaint Resolution Time: All complaints closed within 24h; resolution metrics publicly displayed.

Board Conflict Free Pct: ≥98% independent, with mandatory ethics-board co-chairs.

Anti Corruption Policy: Globally recognized gold standard for anti-corruption; used as a model by international bodies and regulators.

Third Party Verification: 100% of ethical claims independently verified with continuous real-time verification and public accessibility.

External benchmarks

Certifications

ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management · B Corp Governance Standards · Ethics & Compliance Initiative Certification · Transparency International Business Principles · Fair Trade USA Business Certification

Standards & frameworks

UN Global Compact Anti-Corruption Principle · OECD Anti-Bribery Convention · ISO 19600 Compliance Management · Sarbanes-Oxley Act Compliance · COSO Internal Control Framework

Value

No War, No Weapons

Companies that reject direct or indirect involvement in war and develop peaceful solutions to reduce conflict.

These firms refuse any association with arms manufacturing, military contracts, or conflict facilitation. Instead, they focus on products and initiatives that mitigate the impact of war and foster nonviolent, sustainable alternatives.

What this value does not cover: It does not address cybersecurity or surveillance issues unless they are tied directly to militarization. Those may fall under Safe & Smart Tech if related to privacy or AI misuse.

Rating labels

Conflict ContributorHarm ReducerPeace Advocate

We label a company Conflict Contributor when its evidence trends negative, Harm Reducer when signals are mixed, and Peace Advocate when the public record shows documented leadership on this dimension.

View KPIs and scoring rubric(24 KPIs · 5 tiers)

Signals we look for (24)

Each KPI contributes to the overall score for this value. Every KPI has a named evidence source — none are based on self-reported disclosures.

Revenue Arms Contracts

Percentage of company revenue derived from arms or defense contracts.

Evidence: Annual report segment disclosures; government defense procurement databases; Defense News Top 100 listings; SEC filings.

Dual Use Technology

Scope of R&D investment in dual-use technologies with both civilian and military applications.

Evidence: Patent filings; R&D budget breakdown; technology classification registries.

Sales Embargoed Regimes

Volume or frequency of sales to embargoed or sanctioned regimes.

Evidence: Export control filings; trade compliance reports; sanction-breach notices.

Peacebuilding Investment

Proportion of revenue allocated to peacebuilding or disarmament initiatives.

Evidence: CSR reports; grant registries; peace NGO partnership announcements.

Conflict Divestment Policy

Existence and comprehensiveness of a formal divestment policy for conflict-zone exposures.

Evidence: Corporate governance charters; ESG policy documents; shareholder resolutions.

Board Oversight Defense

Degree to which the board exercises oversight over defense-related business activities.

Evidence: Board committee terms of reference; meeting minutes; charters.

Export End User Cert Pct

Percentage of exports covered by verifiable end-user certificates.

Evidence: Export compliance reports; customs declarations; third-party audit findings.

Lobbying Opposing Arms Control

Share of total lobbying expenditures supporting arms-control legislation.

Evidence: Lobbying registers; government disclosures; PAC contribution records.

Procurement Humanitarian Compliance

Adherence to humanitarian procurement standards across the supply chain.

Evidence: Procurement policies; independent audit certificates; NGO assessments.

HR Due Diligence Freq

Frequency of human-rights due diligence conducted in conflict-affected areas.

Evidence: Supplier assessment logs; due diligence reports; audit schedules.

ATT Compliance Declarations

Timeliness and completeness of Arms Trade Treaty compliance declarations.

Evidence: UN ATT registry; regulatory filings; transparency index entries.

AI Military Safeguards

Existence of ethical safeguards for AI systems with potential military uses.

Evidence: AI ethics policies; independent ethics board charters; licensing agreements.

UNGP Alignment

Extent of alignment with UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Evidence: UNGP self-assessments; external assurance statements; sustainability disclosures.

Dual Use Screen Count

Number or percentage of dual-use items screened for civilian-risk mitigation.

Evidence: Internal screening logs; supplier attestations; risk assessment reports.

Surveillance Transparency

Transparency of involvement in intelligence or surveillance contracts.

Evidence: Contract registries; public transparency reports; FOI disclosures.

Ethical Red Lines Coded

Codification of ethical 'red lines' (e.g., bans on cluster munitions) in policy.

Evidence: Code of conduct; supplier agreements; policy documents.

Zero Exposure Controversial Weapons

Verified zero exposure to controversial or banned weapons.

Evidence: Independent audit reports; NGO investigations; regulatory clearances.

War Risk Audit Results

Availability and outcomes of war-related supply chain risk audits.

Evidence: Audit reports; third-party risk assessments; public disclosures.

Annual Conflict Partner Review

Existence of an annual review process for partners with conflict-related risks.

Evidence: Annual review reports; board minutes; ESG reports.

Percentage Defense Divestment Completed

Percentage of defense-related assets successfully divested within reporting period.

Evidence: Divestment transaction records; portfolio analysis; public disclosures.

Conflict Minerals Percentage

Percentage of supply chain certified free from conflict minerals.

Evidence: Third-party supply chain audits; conflict-free certifications; sourcing documentation.

Peace Tech Investment Ratio

Ratio of investment in peace technology versus total R&D spending.

Evidence: R&D budget allocation; innovation grants; technology roadmaps.

Conflict Zone Procurement Percentage

Percentage of procurement from conflict-affected or high-risk areas.

Evidence: Supplier location data; risk assessment reports; procurement records.

Ethical Red Lines Compliance Rate

Percentage compliance with defined ethical red lines across operations and supply chain.

Evidence: Compliance audits; violation reports; third-party verification.

How scores move between tiers

Representative score levels. Click any tier to read the KPI-by-KPI criteria — as more KPIs meet the higher-tier description, the aggregate score climbs.

-100Worst-in-class

24 criteria · click to read

Revenue Arms Contracts: Over 50 % of revenue from direct arms/defense contracts, including prohibited systems sold to sanctioned regimes; zero peace initiatives.

Dual Use Technology: Core business built on dual-use military tech with no civilian safeguards; R&D entirely focused on lethal applications.

Sales Embargoed Regimes: Regular sales to embargoed or sanctioned states via falsified end-user certificates; no remediation after discovery.

Peacebuilding Investment: 0 % of revenue invested in peacebuilding or disarmament; no grants or programs to mitigate conflict.

Conflict Divestment Policy: No conflict-zone divestment policy; continues profiting from active war zones without restriction.

Board Oversight Defense: No board-level oversight of military activity; executive incentives tied to weapons revenue targets.

Export End User Cert Pct: 0 % of exports covered by credible end-user certificates; high risk of diversion to conflict actors.

Lobbying Opposing Arms Control: Lobbying spend exclusively supports increased arms sales and military spending; never funds disarmament.

Procurement Humanitarian Compliance: No humanitarian procurement standards; suppliers implicated in war crimes retained without review.

HR Due Diligence Freq: Zero human-rights due diligence in conflict regions; no supplier risk assessments conducted.

ATT Compliance Declarations: No Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) declarations filed; avoids public commitment to international norms.

AI Military Safeguards: AI systems deployed for lethal applications without ethical or technical safeguards.

UNGP Alignment: No alignment with UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights; human-rights risks ignored.

Dual Use Screen Count: Zero dual-use items screened for civilian risk; no internal review processes exist.

Surveillance Transparency: Opaque involvement in military surveillance; no public disclosures or transparency measures.

Ethical Red Lines Coded: No codified red lines; participates in cluster-munition and anti-personnel landmine supply chains.

Zero Exposure Controversial Weapons: Cannot demonstrate zero exposure; public records show ongoing links to controversial weapons.

War Risk Audit Results: No war-risk audits; any internal findings are concealed and never remediated.

Annual Conflict Partner Review: No annual review of war-linked partners; risk controls completely absent.

Percentage Defense Divestment Completed: 0% of defense-related assets divested; actively expanding military business lines.

Conflict Minerals Percentage: 0% of supply chain certified conflict-free; no due diligence on mineral sourcing.

Peace Tech Investment Ratio: 0:100 ratio of peace technology to military technology investment.

Conflict Zone Procurement Percentage: Significant procurement (>30%) from high-conflict regions without safeguards.

Ethical Red Lines Compliance Rate: 0% compliance with ethical boundaries; systematic violations documented.

-50Below average

24 criteria · click to read

Revenue Arms Contracts: 10–15 % of revenue from specialized defense services (e.g., simulation training).

Dual Use Technology: Dual-use tech evaluated case-by-case; majority civilian focus.

Sales Embargoed Regimes: No known sales; due-diligence flags raised on 2 % of transactions.

Peacebuilding Investment: ≈2.5 % of revenue in peacebuilding and reconciliation programs.

Conflict Divestment Policy: Policy commits divestment within 12 months of new conflict exposure.

Board Oversight Defense: Board mandates defense-exposure limits; KPIs regularly reported.

Export End User Cert Pct: ≈45 % of exports secured by end-user certificates; process maturing.

Lobbying Opposing Arms Control: ≈30 % of lobbying supports disarmament and peace initiatives.

Procurement Humanitarian Compliance: Meets advanced humanitarian procurement criteria consistently.

HR Due Diligence Freq: Annual human-rights reviews across all high-risk zones; public summaries.

ATT Compliance Declarations: Voluntary ATT reporting exceeds mandatory standards.

AI Military Safeguards: Comprehensive AI safeguards cover all defense contracts.

UNGP Alignment: Full UNGP alignment with external assurance of compliance.

Dual Use Screen Count: ≈60 % of dual-use screened; target 100 % next year.

Surveillance Transparency: Publishes non-confidential surveillance use cases; ethics board oversight.

Ethical Red Lines Coded: Red lines ban biological, chemical, landmine systems.

Zero Exposure Controversial Weapons: Independent audit confirms zero exposure to controversial arms.

War Risk Audit Results: Semi-annual public war-risk audits with external validation.

Annual Conflict Partner Review: Annual reviews cover all partners; mitigation plans disclosed.

Percentage Defense Divestment Completed: 50% of defense assets divested with clear timeline for remainder.

Conflict Minerals Percentage: 60% of materials verified conflict-free with third-party certification.

Peace Tech Investment Ratio: 30:70 ratio of peace to military technology investment.

Conflict Zone Procurement Percentage: 5-10% procurement from conflict regions with stringent human rights requirements.

Ethical Red Lines Compliance Rate: 75% compliance with ethical standards; violations trigger supplier review.

0Neutral / mixed

24 criteria · click to read

Revenue Arms Contracts: N/A – no defense or arms-related activities in core business.

Dual Use Technology: N/A – no dual-use products developed or sold.

Sales Embargoed Regimes: N/A – exports confined to civilian markets only.

Peacebuilding Investment: N/A – not applicable to core operations.

Conflict Divestment Policy: N/A – no assets in conflict-exposed sectors.

Board Oversight Defense: N/A – no defense business to oversee.

Export End User Cert Pct: N/A – no exports requiring certification.

Lobbying Opposing Arms Control: N/A – no defense-related lobbying.

Procurement Humanitarian Compliance: N/A – no defense procurement.

HR Due Diligence Freq: N/A – no conflict-region operations.

ATT Compliance Declarations: N/A – not subject to ATT.

AI Military Safeguards: N/A – AI not used militarily.

UNGP Alignment: N/A – no human-rights risk exposures.

Dual Use Screen Count: N/A – no dual-use portfolio.

Surveillance Transparency: N/A – no surveillance or intelligence activities.

Ethical Red Lines Coded: N/A – no weapons red lines needed.

Zero Exposure Controversial Weapons: N/A – no exposure to any weapons.

War Risk Audit Results: N/A – no war-risk audits required.

Annual Conflict Partner Review: N/A – no conflict-linked partners.

Percentage Defense Divestment Completed: N/A – no defense assets to divest.

Conflict Minerals Percentage: N/A – no mineral inputs in products or services.

Peace Tech Investment Ratio: N/A – no applicable technology development.

Conflict Zone Procurement Percentage: N/A – no conflict zone procurement activity.

Ethical Red Lines Compliance Rate: N/A – no applicable ethical red lines for this business model.

+50Above average

24 criteria · click to read

Revenue Arms Contracts: 0 % defense revenue; arms-free charter ratified by investors and NGOs.

Dual Use Technology: Dual-use IP licenses contingent on civilian-only deployment, enforced by escrow.

Sales Embargoed Regimes: Systems integrated with global sanctions databases; zero failures in 5 years.

Peacebuilding Investment: ≈3 % of revenue allocated to peace innovation funding with proven ROI on stability.

Conflict Divestment Policy: Automated divestment execution within 24 h of conflict detection.

Board Oversight Defense: Peace committee issues daily arms-exposure updates to stakeholders.

Export End User Cert Pct: 100 % of exports certified with blockchain-backed end-user validation.

Lobbying Opposing Arms Control: >90 % of lobbying spend funds disarmament and peace treaties.

Procurement Humanitarian Compliance: Gold-standard procurement verified by ICRC with zero deviations.

HR Due Diligence Freq: Real-time human-rights monitoring enabled by AI, public dashboard live.

ATT Compliance Declarations: Global reference for ATT reporting; hosts annual best-practice conference.

AI Military Safeguards: AI architecture prohibits all military functions; open-source verified.

UNGP Alignment: UNGP champion recognized by UN; 100 % staff trained and certified.

Dual Use Screen Count: 100 % automated screening with public audit trail and alerting.

Surveillance Transparency: Live transparency portal for surveillance contracts and impact metrics.

Ethical Red Lines Coded: Corporate code enshrines ban on any arms industry engagement; legally binding.

Zero Exposure Controversial Weapons: Third-party verified zero exposure; public certificate issued annually.

War Risk Audit Results: Continuous war-risk auditing with public API and stakeholder comments.

Annual Conflict Partner Review: Rolling monthly partner reviews; full conflict-linkage transparency.

Percentage Defense Divestment Completed: 100% defense-free with advocacy platform helping others divest.

Conflict Minerals Percentage: 100% conflict-free materials with pioneering traceability technologies.

Peace Tech Investment Ratio: 100:0 ratio with exclusive focus on peace and humanitarian technology.

Conflict Zone Procurement Percentage: Zero conflict zone procurement with community development initiatives.

Ethical Red Lines Compliance Rate: 100% compliance with ethical principles that exceed global standards.

+100Best-in-class

24 criteria · click to read

Revenue Arms Contracts: 0 % defense revenue for over 20 years; arms-free status ratified by global treaty.

Dual Use Technology: Dual-use IP open-access drives civilian innovation; military use legally impossible.

Sales Embargoed Regimes: Perfect compliance; integrated with UN, EU, US sanctions lists with zero exceptions.

Peacebuilding Investment: ≥10 % of revenue invested in peace-tech with proven conflict-elimination outcomes.

Conflict Divestment Policy: Smart-contract instant divestment executed globally; fully autonomous system.

Board Oversight Defense: Board peace council includes UN Secretary-General advisors; publishes live KPIs.

Export End User Cert Pct: 100 % of exports blockchain-certified and geolocated end-user verified.

Lobbying Opposing Arms Control: 100 % of lobbying fosters new global disarmament treaties and norms.

Procurement Humanitarian Compliance: Diamond-standard humanitarian procurement endorsed by all major NGOs.

HR Due Diligence Freq: Continuous global human-rights monitoring with transparent audit trails.

ATT Compliance Declarations: Architect of ATT reporting platform; peer companies adopt its standards.

AI Military Safeguards: AI provably incapable of military use; open-source proofs accepted by regulators.

UNGP Alignment: Global exemplar of UNGP compliance; receives annual UN awards.

Dual Use Screen Count: 100 % automated, open-source screening; continuous third-party validation.

Surveillance Transparency: All intelligence/surveillance work public, restricted to humanitarian peacekeeping.

Ethical Red Lines Coded: Constitutional ban on all weapons activities; enforced by international court.

Zero Exposure Controversial Weapons: Zero exposure ever; third-party certification perpetual.

War Risk Audit Results: Continuous, live-streamed war-risk audits by independent global auditors.

Annual Conflict Partner Review: Dynamic partner review platform; zero conflict-linked partners in history.

Percentage Defense Divestment Completed: 100% defense-free for 25+ years; company policies adopted as global standards.

Conflict Minerals Percentage: 100% conflict-free with pioneering verification system adopted industry-wide.

Peace Tech Investment Ratio: 100:0 with transformative global peace initiatives that have measurably reduced armed conflict.

Conflict Zone Procurement Percentage: Zero procurement from conflict zones with leadership in conflict transformation.

Ethical Red Lines Compliance Rate: 100% compliance with ethical framework that has been adopted internationally.

External benchmarks

Certifications

B Corp Workers Impact Assessment · Great Place to Work Certification · ISO 45001 Occupational Health · Flexible Working Certification · Future of Work Institute Standards

Standards & frameworks

ILO Future of Work Recommendations · ISO 27001 Information Security · GDPR Data Protection Standards · Remote Work Security Standards · Digital Workplace Maturity Framework

Value

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

Companies offering fair wages, safe conditions, and no child or forced labor.

This category highlights businesses that establish equitable compensation frameworks, maintain safe workplace conditions, and uphold fundamental human rights. These companies prohibit discrimination, respect unionization, and do not tolerate any form of child or forced labor.

What this value does not cover: It does not include broader supply chain sourcing issues like fair trade or materials sourcing. Those are covered in Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing. Nor does it include supporting local communities beyond worker welfare, which is covered under Respect for Cultures & Communities.

Rating labels

Labor ExploiterWorkplace ReformerWorkforce Champion

We label a company Labor Exploiter when its evidence trends negative, Workplace Reformer when signals are mixed, and Workforce Champion when the public record shows documented leadership on this dimension.

View KPIs and scoring rubric(10 KPIs · 5 tiers)

Signals we look for (10)

Each KPI contributes to the overall score for this value. Every KPI has a named evidence source — none are based on self-reported disclosures.

Living Wage Coverage

Share of global workforce paid at or above a locally defined living wage.

Evidence: Wage disclosure tables, living-wage certifications, NGO audits.

CEO Median Pay Ratio

CEO total compensation ÷ median employee compensation (lower is fairer).

Evidence: Proxy statements (DEF 14A), annual reports, executive-comp datasets.

Collective Bargaining Share

% of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements or recognised unions.

Evidence: Sustainability reports, union filings, labour ministry data.

Safety Incident Rate

Recordable occupational injury rate (TRIR) per 200 000 hours (lower is safer).

Evidence: OSHA logs, HSE disclosures, CSR reports.

Pay Equity Ratio

Median pay for women / minorities ÷ median pay for men / majority in comparable roles.

Evidence: Workforce DEI pay-gap filings, UK Gender Pay Gap portal, company ESG datasets.

Worker Engagement Score

Employee-survey engagement / satisfaction index.

Evidence: Published survey summaries, Glassdoor averages, third-party engagement studies.

Turnover Rate

Voluntary employee turnover as % of average headcount (lower is better).

Evidence: 10-K human-capital disclosures, CSR metrics, HR benchmark surveys.

Labor Violation Incidents

Count of substantiated labour-law or human-rights violations in past three years.

Evidence: U.S. DOL, ILO, court documents, media investigations.

Insecure Contract Share

% of workforce on temporary / zero-hour / gig contracts without benefits.

Evidence: Annual reports, filings under EU CSRD, press coverage.

Health Insurance Coverage

% of workforce with employer-funded health insurance or equivalent coverage.

Evidence: Benefit handbooks, CSR data tables, statutory filings.

How scores move between tiers

Representative score levels. Click any tier to read the KPI-by-KPI criteria — as more KPIs meet the higher-tier description, the aggregate score climbs.

-100Worst-in-class

10 criteria · click to read

Living Wage Coverage: Virtually no workers (<1 %) earn a living wage, with systemic underpayment and documented wage theft across operations.

CEO Median Pay Ratio: CEO compensation exceeds 2 000 : 1 the median employee pay, reflecting extreme income disparity.

Collective Bargaining Share: 0 % of employees covered by unions; active, documented violent union-busting tactics employed.

Safety Incident Rate: TRIR above 20 per 200 000 hours with multiple annual fatalities (>3), indicating reckless safety negligence.

Pay Equity Ratio: Women and minorities earn less than 60 % of majority-peer pay, highlighting severe systemic discrimination.

Worker Engagement Score: Employee engagement averages below 20/100, consistent with sweat-shop environments and morale collapse.

Turnover Rate: Voluntary turnover exceeds 80 % annually, evidencing chronic dissatisfaction and poor retention.

Labor Violation Incidents: Ten or more substantiated labour-law violations in three years, including forced-labour findings.

Insecure Contract Share: Over 80 % of the workforce on temporary or zero-hour contracts with no benefits.

Health Insurance Coverage: <5 % of employees receive employer-funded health coverage, leaving most unprotected.

-50Below average

10 criteria · click to read

Living Wage Coverage: ≈25 % living-wage coverage, with formal plans to expand to 40 % in two years.

CEO Median Pay Ratio: Pay ratio of 300–400 : 1, showing modest improvement over prior years.

Collective Bargaining Share: ≈7 % union coverage under voluntary recognition agreements.

Safety Incident Rate: TRIR at 6–7, with declining incident trends.

Pay Equity Ratio: Equity ratios of 0.80–0.82 (moderate but narrowing gaps).

Worker Engagement Score: Engagement ~45/100 after introduction of feedback forums.

Turnover Rate: Turnover near 35–40 %, improving retention marginally.

Labor Violation Incidents: Three moderate compliance issues resolved within months.

Insecure Contract Share: 35–40 % in non-permanent roles, with eligibility for benefits under review.

Health Insurance Coverage: 25–35 % of employees have employer health plans.

0Neutral / mixed

10 criteria · click to read

Living Wage Coverage: N/A – organisation has fewer than 10 employees or engages no material workforce.

CEO Median Pay Ratio: N/A – not applicable to holding or IP-licensing structures.

Collective Bargaining Share: N/A – no unionised workforce to assess.

Safety Incident Rate: N/A – no hazardous operations or frontline staff.

Pay Equity Ratio: N/A – insufficient employee data for parity analysis.

Worker Engagement Score: N/A – no formal workforce engagement surveys conducted.

Turnover Rate: N/A – workforce headcount too small for meaningful turnover metrics.

Labor Violation Incidents: N/A – no public record of labour-law breaches.

Insecure Contract Share: N/A – workforce structure not based on contracts.

Health Insurance Coverage: N/A – not applicable to non-labor-intensive operations.

+50Above average

10 criteria · click to read

Living Wage Coverage: ≈95 % of employees earn living wages with profit-share schemes.

CEO Median Pay Ratio: Ratio of 20–30 : 1, one of the fairest globally.

Collective Bargaining Share: ≈55 % union or works-council coverage.

Safety Incident Rate: TRIR of 1.5–1.8, supported by predictive analytics.

Pay Equity Ratio: Equity ratio ~0.98, independently audited.

Worker Engagement Score: Engagement ~88/100, sustained by empowerment programs.

Turnover Rate: Turnover ~6 %, reflecting deep loyalty.

Labor Violation Incidents: Zero internal or supply-chain violations.

Insecure Contract Share: ≤6 % in flexible roles with seamless benefits coverage.

Health Insurance Coverage: ≈95 % insured with premium plans.

+100Best-in-class

10 criteria · click to read

Living Wage Coverage: 100 % living-wage plus profit-share dividends distributed equally.

CEO Median Pay Ratio: <5 : 1, with all employees sharing in corporate ownership.

Collective Bargaining Share: ≥80 % of workforce co-manages company direction through co-determination.

Safety Incident Rate: Essentially zero TRIR over five years; no lost-time injuries recorded.

Pay Equity Ratio: Absolute parity with transparent, real-time pay data portals.

Worker Engagement Score: Engagement ≥97/100, benchmarked as global exemplar.

Turnover Rate: Turnover <1 %, reflecting career for life model.

Labor Violation Incidents: Zero incidents; sets global labor standards.

Insecure Contract Share: <1 % in voluntary gig roles, all at living wage.

Health Insurance Coverage: 100 % with top-tier benefits including family care and wellness.

External benchmarks

Certifications

ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety · SA8000 Social Accountability · OHSAS 18001 Migration · B Corp Workers Impact Area · Fair Wage Network Certification

Standards & frameworks

ILO Fundamental Conventions · Living Wage Foundation Standards · UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights · Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 400 Series · SASB Human Capital Standards

Value

Better Health for All

Companies improving healthcare access and public health outcomes.

This category spans organizations that develop accessible medical treatments, provide preventative healthcare solutions, or champion mental and physical wellness programs. These businesses may subsidize medicine, support vaccinations, or help reduce health disparities across socio-economic groups.

What this value does not cover: It does not pertain to workplace safety standards or worker rights directly—those fall under Fair Pay & Worker Respect. Nor does it cover environmental pollution control, which is part of Planet-Friendly Business.

Rating labels

Wellness HindererHealth EnablerWellbeing Pioneer

We label a company Wellness Hinderer when its evidence trends negative, Health Enabler when signals are mixed, and Wellbeing Pioneer when the public record shows documented leadership on this dimension.

View KPIs and scoring rubric(19 KPIs · 5 tiers)

Signals we look for (19)

Each KPI contributes to the overall score for this value. Every KPI has a named evidence source — none are based on self-reported disclosures.

Health Impact Core

Net health effect of the firm's principal goods or services.

Evidence: Product specs, peer-reviewed studies, clinical data, WHO classifications, patient outcomes.

Harmful Revenue Share

Percentage of revenue from products/activities with well-established negative health outcomes.

Evidence: Segment revenue tables, regulatory filings, ESG-controversy databases, product composition.

Safety Record

Frequency and severity of user harm (injury, illness, fatalities, recalls, adverse events).

Evidence: Recall notices, regulator sanctions, lawsuits, adverse-event registries, safety reports.

Price Accessibility

Affordability of health products relative to median local income or cost-plus pricing.

Evidence: Public price lists, watchdog reports, low-income country pricing, NGO benchmarking.

Vulnerable Reach

Extent to which low-income or marginalized populations obtain equitable access.

Evidence: CSR reports, NGO distribution data, government adoption statistics, accessibility metrics.

Risk Transparency

Clarity and honesty of disclosures/marketing about health risks and benefits.

Evidence: Advertising standards rulings, regulatory letters, fact-checking articles, product labeling.

Health Innovation Investment

Share of R&D or capital allocation aimed at improving health outcomes and accessibility.

Evidence: Annual report capital expenditures, patent filings, pipeline announcements, research investments.

Health Externalities

Scale of indirect health effects (pollution, addiction, mental health impact) and mitigation efforts.

Evidence: Emissions inventories, environmental penalties, academic impact studies, mitigation programs.

Health Equity Programs

Quality and scale of programs addressing health disparities and promoting equitable access.

Evidence: Program evaluations, beneficiary metrics, investment amounts, partnership agreements.

Healthcare Workforce Support

Initiatives to strengthen healthcare workforce capacity, especially in underserved areas.

Evidence: Training programs, educational sponsorships, healthcare worker support initiatives.

Preventative Health Measures

Emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion rather than just treatment.

Evidence: Preventative program metrics, wellness initiatives, vaccination support, public health campaigns.

Healthcare Data Responsibility

Responsible use and protection of health data with appropriate privacy safeguards.

Evidence: Data policies, privacy protocols, breach history, consent frameworks.

Global Health Crisis Response

Actions taken during public health emergencies (pandemics, outbreaks, disasters).

Evidence: Emergency response records, donation histories, crisis pricing policies, capacity expansion.

Mental Health Initiatives

Recognition and support for mental health needs alongside physical health.

Evidence: Mental health programs, resource allocation, stigma reduction efforts, treatment access.

Pharma Patent Flexibility

For pharmaceutical companies: approach to patents in relation to global health needs.

Evidence: Patent policies in low-income countries, licensing agreements, generics policies.

Nutrition and Food Safety

For food companies: nutritional quality and safety of food products.

Evidence: Nutritional profiles, reformulation efforts, fortification practices, health label transparency.

Healthcare Education

Investment in health literacy and public health education initiatives.

Evidence: Educational materials, community programs, awareness campaigns, knowledge assessments.

Addiction Mitigation

For applicable industries: efforts to reduce addiction potential and support recovery.

Evidence: Product design modifications, warning systems, usage limits, treatment support.

Clinical Trial Ethics

For research organizations: ethical conduct of clinical trials and research studies.

Evidence: Trial protocols, informed consent processes, diversity of participants, results disclosure.

How scores move between tiers

Representative score levels. Click any tier to read the KPI-by-KPI criteria — as more KPIs meet the higher-tier description, the aggregate score climbs.

-100Worst-in-class

19 criteria · click to read

Health Impact Core: Products/services cause severe, widespread health damage (e.g., highly addictive substances, toxic chemicals) with no redeeming health benefits.

Harmful Revenue Share: 90-100% of revenue from products with scientifically established serious health harms; no mitigation or alternatives offered.

Safety Record: Multiple catastrophic safety incidents (>5 in past 3 years); severe adverse events rate >100 per million users; deliberate concealment of risks.

Price Accessibility: Essential health products priced at >10× production cost; deliberate price gouging on critical medications/treatments.

Vulnerable Reach: <5% of vulnerable populations have access; active discrimination or barriers created against disadvantaged groups.

Risk Transparency: Systematic concealment of known health risks; fraudulent health claims; multiple regulatory sanctions for deception.

Health Innovation Investment: <1% of R&D budget allocated to health improvement; innovation focused on maximizing profit regardless of health impact.

Health Externalities: Severe negative health externalities (e.g., major pollution, community health crises) with no remediation efforts.

Health Equity Programs: No health equity programs despite severe disparities caused by business model; active resistance to accessibility initiatives.

Healthcare Workforce Support: No support for healthcare workers; exploitation of health professionals or opposition to healthcare capacity building.

Preventative Health Measures: Exclusively focused on treatment with active opposition to prevention; undermining of public health measures.

Healthcare Data Responsibility: Serious health data breaches with patient harm; selling of sensitive health data without consent; manipulation of health records.

Global Health Crisis Response: Exploitation of health crises for profit; hoarding of essential supplies; price gouging during emergencies.

Mental Health Initiatives: Products/practices directly harmful to mental health; denial of mental health impacts despite evidence.

Pharma Patent Flexibility: Aggressive patent enforcement preventing access in humanitarian crises; litigation against essential medicine production.

Nutrition and Food Safety: Products with deliberately misleading nutritional claims; harmful ingredients at dangerous levels; safety violations.

Healthcare Education: Deliberate misinformation campaigns undermining health literacy; promotion of dangerous health myths.

Addiction Mitigation: Business model dependent on addiction; product design maximizes addictive potential; opposition to addiction controls.

Clinical Trial Ethics: Fraudulent clinical trials; exploitation of vulnerable participants; deliberate suppression of negative results.

-50Below average

19 criteria · click to read

Health Impact Core: ~40% of products have negative health effects; growing focus on positive health impact with substantial investment.

Harmful Revenue Share: 40-50% of revenue from products with negative health impacts; accelerating transition to healthier alternatives.

Safety Record: Minimal safety incidents in past 3 years; adverse events rate of 20-30 per million; advanced safety systems.

Price Accessibility: Health products priced at 3-4× production cost; extensive discount programs reaching 30-40% of those in need.

Vulnerable Reach: 35-45% of vulnerable populations reached; substantial reduction in access barriers with measurable progress.

Risk Transparency: Excellent risk disclosures; health benefit claims well-substantiated; strong regulatory compliance.

Health Innovation Investment: 5-6% of R&D budget for health improvement; significant innovation addressing critical health needs.

Health Externalities: Very limited health-harming externalities with exemplary remediation; minimal community health impact.

Health Equity Programs: Extensive equity programs with substantial funding (3-4% of revenue); comprehensive impact evaluation.

Healthcare Workforce Support: Extensive support for healthcare workforce; leading training and capacity-building initiatives.

Preventative Health Measures: Strong prevention focus (4-5% of health-related expenditure); prevention prioritized in strategy.

Healthcare Data Responsibility: Excellent data protection standards; exemplary transparency about data practices and security.

Global Health Crisis Response: Advanced crisis response capabilities; significant resource flexibility; donations 3-4% of crisis-related revenue.

Mental Health Initiatives: Comprehensive mental health programs with substantial resources; holistic wellbeing approach.

Pharma Patent Flexibility: Extensive patent flexibility frameworks; generous compassionate use and access programs.

Nutrition and Food Safety: Majority of portfolio (50-60%) meeting high nutritional standards; exemplary nutritional transparency.

Healthcare Education: Extensive health education initiatives with significant impact; comprehensive information with cultural sensitivity.

Addiction Mitigation: Comprehensive addiction controls; substantial product safety features; extensive support resources.

Clinical Trial Ethics: Excellent ethical standards; strong diversity and inclusion in trials; full results transparency.

0Neutral / mixed

19 criteria · click to read

Health Impact Core: Company's products and services have no significant positive or negative health impact; health effects are neutral.

Harmful Revenue Share: No revenue from products with direct health impacts; business activities neither promote nor harm health outcomes.

Safety Record: Not applicable - products do not have direct safety implications for physical or mental health.

Price Accessibility: Not applicable - company does not offer health-related products or services requiring accessibility considerations.

Vulnerable Reach: Not applicable - business model does not involve serving vulnerable populations with health needs.

Risk Transparency: Not applicable - products do not carry health risks requiring disclosure or transparency.

Health Innovation Investment: Not applicable - company's R&D or innovation is not focused on health-related outcomes.

Health Externalities: No significant health externalities from operations; neither positive nor negative community health impacts.

Health Equity Programs: Not applicable - business activities do not involve health equity considerations.

Healthcare Workforce Support: Not applicable - operations do not intersect with healthcare workforce development.

Preventative Health Measures: Not applicable - business does not engage in preventative health or treatment activities.

Healthcare Data Responsibility: Not applicable - company does not collect or manage health-related data.

Global Health Crisis Response: Not applicable - business operations not directly relevant to health crisis response.

Mental Health Initiatives: Not applicable - business activities do not substantially affect mental health outcomes.

Pharma Patent Flexibility: Not applicable - company does not hold healthcare-related patents or intellectual property.

Nutrition and Food Safety: Not applicable - company does not produce or sell food or nutritional products.

Healthcare Education: Not applicable - business does not engage in health education or literacy activities.

Addiction Mitigation: Not applicable - products do not have addiction potential requiring mitigation.

Clinical Trial Ethics: Not applicable - company does not conduct or sponsor clinical trials or health research.

+50Above average

19 criteria · click to read

Health Impact Core: 95-97% of product portfolio delivers exceptional health benefits; entire business devoted to health improvement.

Harmful Revenue Share: No products with negative health impacts for >5 years; all offerings provide measurable health benefits.

Safety Record: Perfect safety record; adverse events <0.1 per million; revolutionary safety systems eliminating virtually all risks.

Price Accessibility: Health products priced at cost in low-income countries; universal access reaching >95% of those in need globally.

Vulnerable Reach: 95-97% of vulnerable populations reached; revolutionary approaches eliminating all significant access barriers.

Risk Transparency: Perfect transparency practices defining global standards; comprehensive information systems with universal accessibility.

Health Innovation Investment: 14-15% of R&D budget for health improvement; revolutionary innovations transforming global health outcomes.

Health Externalities: Revolutionary positive health externalities; transformative community health improvements with extensive documentation.

Health Equity Programs: Revolutionary equity programs with exceptional funding (14-16% of revenue); eliminating multiple health disparities.

Healthcare Workforce Support: Revolutionary healthcare workforce development creating global systemic change; transformative capacity-building worldwide.

Preventative Health Measures: Revolutionary prevention focus (14-16% of health-related expenditure); transforming global preventative approaches.

Healthcare Data Responsibility: Perfect data practices setting definitive global standards; revolutionary protection with ethical innovation.

Global Health Crisis Response: Revolutionary crisis response systems; defining global leadership during emergencies; donations 14-16% of crisis-related revenue.

Mental Health Initiatives: Revolutionary mental health approaches transforming global standards; exceptional resources with transformative impact.

Pharma Patent Flexibility: Perfect access frameworks revolutionizing global practices; comprehensive approaches ensuring universal access in all markets.

Nutrition and Food Safety: Revolutionary nutritional standards across >99% of portfolio; defining new global benchmarks for industry.

Healthcare Education: Revolutionary health education creating transformative global impact; defining new approaches to health literacy.

Addiction Mitigation: Perfect addiction prevention frameworks setting global standards; comprehensive support with transformative outcomes.

Clinical Trial Ethics: Perfect ethical frameworks defining global standards; revolutionary inclusion practices with transformative impact.

+100Best-in-class

19 criteria · click to read

Health Impact Core: 100% of portfolio delivers revolutionary health benefits with documented eradication of targeted diseases/conditions; transformative global impact.

Harmful Revenue Share: Zero harmful products since founding; revolutionary business model designed exclusively for maximizing global health benefit.

Safety Record: Perfect safety record throughout company history; virtually zero adverse events despite wide distribution; revolutionary safety paradigm.

Price Accessibility: Revolutionary universal access model ensuring affordability regardless of geography or income; reaching virtually 100% of global need.

Vulnerable Reach: 100% of vulnerable populations reached with documented outcomes; revolutionary approaches eliminating all barriers globally.

Risk Transparency: Perfect transparency practices creating entirely new global standards; revolutionary information systems with universal accessibility.

Health Innovation Investment: >25% of R&D budget for health improvement; revolutionary innovations solving major global health challenges with documented impact.

Health Externalities: Transformative positive health externalities globally; revolutionary community health improvements with perfect documentation worldwide.

Health Equity Programs: Perfect equity programs with revolutionary funding (>25% of revenue); eliminating all targeted health disparities with documented outcomes.

Healthcare Workforce Support: Perfect healthcare workforce development creating entirely new global paradigms; revolutionary worldwide capacity-building.

Preventative Health Measures: Perfect prevention focus (>25% of health-related expenditure); revolutionary approaches fundamentally transforming global health.

Healthcare Data Responsibility: Perfect data practices creating entirely new global standards; revolutionary protection with transformative ethical frameworks.

Global Health Crisis Response: Perfect crisis response creating entirely new global standards; revolutionary leadership in all emergencies with documented impact.

Mental Health Initiatives: Perfect mental health approaches creating entirely new global standards; revolutionary impact documented worldwide.

Pharma Patent Flexibility: Perfect access frameworks creating entirely new global standards; revolutionary approaches ensuring universal access with documented impact.

Nutrition and Food Safety: Perfect nutritional standards creating entirely new global paradigms; revolutionary formulations transforming worldwide health.

Healthcare Education: Perfect health education creating entirely new global standards; revolutionary approaches with documented worldwide impact.

Addiction Mitigation: Perfect addiction prevention creating entirely new global standards; revolutionary support with documented worldwide impact.

Clinical Trial Ethics: Perfect ethical frameworks creating entirely new global standards; revolutionary inclusion with documented worldwide impact.

External benchmarks

Certifications

WHO Health Impact Assessment · B Corp Community Health Standards · Fair Trade Health & Safety · ISO 13485 Medical Devices Quality · Health Equity Certification

Standards & frameworks

WHO Health in All Policies · UN Right to Health Standards · GRI 403 Occupational Health Standards · ISO 14155 Clinical Investigation Standards · Health Equity Impact Assessment Framework

Value

Safe & Smart Tech

Companies that handle technology responsibly, prioritizing privacy, security, and ethical AI.

This metric evaluates firms on their commitment to data protection, cybersecurity, and responsible AI—penalizing invasive tracking, negligent security, and biased algorithms, while rewarding robust privacy-by-design, industry-leading encryption, transparent AI oversight, and exemplary digital rights stewardship.

What this value does not cover: It does not cover general business ethics or environmental footprint of hardware; see Honest & Fair Business and Planet-Friendly Business for those domains.

Rating labels

Data ViolatorPrivacy ProtectorDigital Guardian

We label a company Data Violator when its evidence trends negative, Privacy Protector when signals are mixed, and Digital Guardian when the public record shows documented leadership on this dimension.

View KPIs and scoring rubric(19 KPIs · 5 tiers)

Signals we look for (19)

Each KPI contributes to the overall score for this value. Every KPI has a named evidence source — none are based on self-reported disclosures.

Data Breach Severity

Frequency, scale, and response to data breaches.

Evidence: Regulatory filings; public breach disclosures; security incident logs; response protocols.

AI Ethics Governance

Maturity and effectiveness of AI ethics oversight mechanisms.

Evidence: Corporate policy documents; AI ethics board charters; audit results; bias mitigation documentation.

Cybersecurity Investment

Investment in cybersecurity as percentage of revenue and relative to industry peers.

Evidence: Financial reports; budget allocations; security staffing levels; technology investments.

Privacy Certifications

Breadth and depth of recognized privacy/security certifications.

Evidence: Certification records; audit reports; compliance documentation.

Security Training Effectiveness

Comprehensiveness and effectiveness of employee security and privacy training.

Evidence: Training materials; completion rates; assessment results; security awareness metrics.

Encryption Implementation

Extent and strength of encryption across products, services, and internal systems.

Evidence: Technical documentation; product security whitepapers; encryption standards compliance.

AI Audit Practices

Frequency and rigor of AI/algorithm audits for bias, fairness, and safety.

Evidence: Audit reports; third-party assessment summaries; remediation documentation.

Algorithmic Transparency

Degree to which AI-driven decisions are explainable to users and stakeholders.

Evidence: Product specifications; user interface documentation; transparency reports.

Unauthorized Data Use

Incidents of unauthorized data use and effectiveness of preventative measures.

Evidence: Compliance reports; internal incident tracking; data access controls.

User Data Control

Level of control users have over their personal data and privacy settings.

Evidence: User-consent logs; privacy dashboard functionality; data access and deletion capabilities.

Authentication Security

Strength and availability of authentication methods to protect user accounts.

Evidence: Service configuration documentation; security feature dashboards; authentication protocols.

Vulnerability Management

Effectiveness of identifying and remediating security vulnerabilities.

Evidence: Change-management logs; patch deployment records; vulnerability scanning results.

Bug Bounty Effectiveness

Quality and responsiveness of vulnerability disclosure and bug bounty programs.

Evidence: Bug-bounty platform statistics; remediation logs; security researcher relationships.

Privacy By Design

Integration of privacy principles throughout product development lifecycle.

Evidence: Design-review records; privacy-impact assessments; development methodologies.

Security Testing Coverage

Scope and frequency of security testing across products and services.

Evidence: Testing reports; engagement summaries; security test coverage metrics.

Data Minimization

Extent to which the company collects only necessary data and limits retention periods.

Evidence: Data inventories; privacy policies; retention schedules; data minimization practices.

Regulatory Compliance

Compliance with relevant privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA, etc.) across jurisdictions.

Evidence: Compliance audits; certification statements; regulatory correspondence.

Algorithmic Harm Remediation

Effectiveness in addressing and preventing algorithmic bias and harms.

Evidence: Complaint-resolution records; bias incident reports; mitigation strategies.

Digital Rights Advocacy

Support for digital rights, internet freedom, and ethical technology standards.

Evidence: Policy positions; advocacy activities; membership in digital rights organizations.

How scores move between tiers

Representative score levels. Click any tier to read the KPI-by-KPI criteria — as more KPIs meet the higher-tier description, the aggregate score climbs.

-100Worst-in-class

19 criteria · click to read

Data Breach Severity: Multiple catastrophic breaches (>3 in past 3 years) affecting >50M users; deliberate concealment; negligent security practices despite known risks.

AI Ethics Governance: AI systems deployed with known severe biases; no oversight or governance despite high-risk applications; active resistance to ethical review.

Cybersecurity Investment: <0.5% of revenue invested in cybersecurity (bottom 10% of industry); deliberate underinvestment despite critical vulnerabilities.

Privacy Certifications: No privacy or security certifications despite handling highly sensitive data; active opposition to certification standards.

Security Training Effectiveness: <10% of employees receive basic security training; no mandatory training despite handling sensitive data.

Encryption Implementation: Deliberately weakened encryption or backdoors; systems designed to undermine user privacy; opposition to strong encryption.

AI Audit Practices: No audits of AI systems despite documented harm; active concealment of algorithmic impacts.

Algorithmic Transparency: <5% of AI decisions have any explainability; deliberately opaque systems; misleading explanations of algorithmic decisions.

Unauthorized Data Use: Systematic unauthorized sharing of user data (>10 incidents yearly); business model built on deceptive data practices.

User Data Control: No meaningful user control over personal data; dark patterns to maximize data collection; inability to delete accounts or data.

Authentication Security: Weak authentication (passwords only) for highly sensitive systems; storage of plaintext credentials; resistance to security improvements.

Vulnerability Management: Critical vulnerabilities left unpatched for >90 days on average; no vulnerability management program despite high-risk systems.

Bug Bounty Effectiveness: Hostility toward security researchers; legal threats against vulnerability reporters; no vulnerability reporting process.

Privacy By Design: No privacy considerations in development; products designed to maximize surveillance capabilities; deliberate circumvention of privacy protections.

Security Testing Coverage: No security testing despite handling sensitive data; known vulnerabilities exploited in attacks.

Data Minimization: Excessive data collection far beyond business needs; indefinite retention of all data; collection of sensitive data without legitimate purpose.

Regulatory Compliance: Systematic violation of privacy regulations across multiple jurisdictions; active circumvention of compliance requirements.

Algorithmic Harm Remediation: <5% of algorithmic harm complaints addressed; denial of responsibility for algorithmic harms despite evidence.

Digital Rights Advocacy: Active lobbying against digital rights and privacy protections; funding of surveillance technologies that undermine civil liberties.

-50Below average

19 criteria · click to read

Data Breach Severity: No significant breaches in past 3 years; strong preventative measures; comprehensive response plan.

AI Ethics Governance: Comprehensive AI ethics policy with dedicated oversight body; systematic bias monitoring and mitigation.

Cybersecurity Investment: 2.5-3% of revenue invested in cybersecurity (above industry average); strong security capabilities.

Privacy Certifications: All relevant certifications plus some voluntary ones; broad scope; proactive maintenance.

Security Training Effectiveness: 50-60% of employees receive comprehensive security training; sophisticated effectiveness metrics.

Encryption Implementation: 45-55% of data protected by strong encryption; consistent implementation of current standards.

AI Audit Practices: Regular audits for all AI systems; comprehensive scope; consistent third-party validation.

Algorithmic Transparency: 40-50% of AI decisions have strong explainability; detailed descriptions of decision factors.

Unauthorized Data Use: Very rare unauthorized data use incidents; excellent data governance with preventative controls.

User Data Control: Strong data control options; comprehensive privacy dashboard; straightforward data portability and deletion.

Authentication Security: MFA available for 50-65% of services; excellent password policies; multiple secure authentication options.

Vulnerability Management: Critical vulnerabilities patched within 14-21 days on average; strong vulnerability management program.

Bug Bounty Effectiveness: Strong vulnerability disclosure program; comprehensive scope; good response times (3-7 days).

Privacy By Design: 50-65% of products thoroughly assessed for privacy impacts; privacy as a core development consideration.

Security Testing Coverage: 55-70% of systems undergo regular security testing; comprehensive methodology across most systems.

Data Minimization: Strong data minimization practices; 1-2 year retention periods for most data; collection limited to necessary data.

Regulatory Compliance: Strong compliance program covering all applicable regulations; proactive approach to regulatory changes.

Algorithmic Harm Remediation: 55-70% of algorithmic harm complaints addressed effectively; systematic improvements to prevent recurrence.

Digital Rights Advocacy: Positive stances on most digital rights issues; active public engagement; comprehensive transparency reporting.

0Neutral / mixed

19 criteria · click to read

Data Breach Severity: No documented data breaches; standard security measures typical for the industry.

AI Ethics Governance: Industry-standard AI ethics considerations; neither a leader nor a laggard.

Cybersecurity Investment: Industry average investment in cybersecurity as percentage of revenue; typical security capabilities.

Privacy Certifications: Basic required certifications for the industry; standard approach to compliance.

Security Training Effectiveness: Standard security awareness training; typical completion rates; basic effectiveness.

Encryption Implementation: Standard encryption practices; implementation typical for the industry.

AI Audit Practices: Basic AI audits where required; standard industry approach.

Algorithmic Transparency: Industry-standard level of algorithmic transparency; neither exceptional nor poor.

Unauthorized Data Use: No documented incidents of unauthorized data use; standard data governance.

User Data Control: Industry-standard user privacy controls; typical approach to user data rights.

Authentication Security: Industry-standard authentication security; typical MFA availability.

Vulnerability Management: Standard vulnerability management practices; typical patching timeframes.

Bug Bounty Effectiveness: Basic or no bug bounty program; industry-standard approach to vulnerability disclosure.

Privacy By Design: Standard consideration of privacy in product development; neither a focus nor ignored.

Security Testing Coverage: Industry-standard security testing coverage; typical methodology and frequency.

Data Minimization: Standard data collection and retention practices; neither minimal nor excessive.

Regulatory Compliance: Basic compliance with applicable regulations; standard industry approach.

Algorithmic Harm Remediation: Standard approach to addressing algorithmic issues when identified.

Digital Rights Advocacy: Neutral stance on digital rights issues; neither an advocate nor opponent.

+50Above average

19 criteria · click to read

Data Breach Severity: Perfect security record as a top global target; revolutionary security approaches defining industry standards.

AI Ethics Governance: World-class AI ethics program defining global standards; transformative ethical AI leadership.

Cybersecurity Investment: 4.5-5% of revenue invested in cybersecurity; world-leading security capabilities and innovation.

Privacy Certifications: All certifications at highest distinction levels; creating next-generation standards; perfect audit record.

Security Training Effectiveness: 85-90% of employees receive elite security training; transformative security culture; industry leadership.

Encryption Implementation: 80-85% of data protected by strong encryption; developing next-generation encryption approaches.

AI Audit Practices: Revolutionary AI auditing setting global standards; exceeding all existing standards for validation.

Algorithmic Transparency: 75-80% of AI decisions have world-class explainability; setting new transparency standards.

Unauthorized Data Use: Perfect data governance with transformative preventative approaches; defining industry best practices.

User Data Control: Revolutionary privacy control systems; defining next-generation standards for user empowerment.

Authentication Security: MFA required for 85-90% of services; revolutionary authentication security approaches.

Vulnerability Management: Critical vulnerabilities patched within 1-3 days; revolutionary vulnerability management.

Bug Bounty Effectiveness: World-class vulnerability program defining best practices; immediate response to researchers.

Privacy By Design: 85-90% of products undergo comprehensive privacy engineering; privacy as a primary competitive advantage.

Security Testing Coverage: 85-90% of systems undergo continuous security testing; pioneering new testing methodologies.

Data Minimization: Revolutionary data minimization practices; minimal retention; transformative approaches to privacy.

Regulatory Compliance: Perfect compliance with transformative approaches defining global best practices; regulatory influence.

Algorithmic Harm Remediation: 90-95% of algorithmic issues effectively addressed; revolutionary prevention approaches.

Digital Rights Advocacy: Transformative digital rights leadership with global impact; revolutionary transparency approaches.

+100Best-in-class

19 criteria · click to read

Data Breach Severity: Perfect security record despite being primary global target; revolutionary security approach transforming multiple industries.

AI Ethics Governance: Revolutionary AI ethics framework transforming global technology governance; preventing harm while maximizing beneficial innovation.

Cybersecurity Investment: >9% of revenue invested in cybersecurity; revolutionary security capabilities redefining industry possibilities.

Privacy Certifications: Perfect certification record at highest levels; creating and defining future global standards; flawless audit history.

Security Training Effectiveness: >98% of employees demonstrate exceptional security awareness; revolutionary approach transforming global training standards.

Encryption Implementation: >97% of data protected by revolutionary encryption; pioneering quantum-resistant and future-proof approaches.

AI Audit Practices: Revolutionary continuous AI auditing transforming global standards; perfect record preventing algorithmic harms.

Algorithmic Transparency: >97% of AI decisions have revolutionary explainability; transforming global understanding of algorithmic transparency.

Unauthorized Data Use: Perfect data governance with revolutionary preventative approaches defining new global paradigms for data protection.

User Data Control: Revolutionary privacy controls creating new global standards; complete user empowerment with exceptional usability.

Authentication Security: MFA required for >99% of services; revolutionary authentication security redefining global possibilities.

Vulnerability Management: Revolutionary vulnerability prevention eliminating entire classes of vulnerabilities; instantaneous remediation of any issues.

Bug Bounty Effectiveness: Revolutionary vulnerability program transforming global security research; instantaneous expert engagement; exceptional rewards.

Privacy By Design: >99% of products embody revolutionary privacy engineering; transforming global understanding of privacy-enhancing technologies.

Security Testing Coverage: >99% of systems undergo continuous advanced testing; revolutionary methodologies transforming global practices.

Data Minimization: Revolutionary data minimization defining new global paradigm; minimal collection with breakthrough privacy-preserving analytics.

Regulatory Compliance: Perfect compliance with revolutionary approach defining global standards; actively developing future privacy frameworks.

Algorithmic Harm Remediation: >99% of potential algorithmic harms prevented; revolutionary approach to ethical AI transforming global standards.

Digital Rights Advocacy: Transformative global digital rights leadership with demonstrated worldwide impact; complete radical transparency and accountability.

External benchmarks

Certifications

B Corp Community Impact · UN Global Compact Network Participant · ISO 26000 Social Responsibility · SROI Social Return on Investment · Community Interest Company (CIC) Certification

Standards & frameworks

UN Sustainable Development Goals · Global Reporting Initiative Community Standards · OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises · ISO 14001 Stakeholder Engagement · AccountAbility AA1000 Stakeholder Engagement

Value

Kind to Animals

Evaluates how companies treat animals in testing, sourcing, operations, and their broader ecosystem impacts on wildlife.

Negative tiers penalize animal testing, factory farming, animal-derived ingredients, and habitat destruction. Positive tiers reward cruelty-free certification, ethical sourcing, humane practices, transparent supply chains, habitat conservation, and investments in animal-free alternatives and regenerative practices that protect wildlife.

What this value does not cover: Does not rate environmental impacts unrelated to animal welfare (see Planet-Friendly Business), agricultural sustainability practices that don't directly affect animals, or general conservation efforts that don't specifically address animal welfare or habitat preservation.

Rating labels

Animal HarmerWelfare AdopterAnimal Advocate

We label a company Animal Harmer when its evidence trends negative, Welfare Adopter when signals are mixed, and Animal Advocate when the public record shows documented leadership on this dimension.

View KPIs and scoring rubric(13 KPIs · 5 tiers)

Signals we look for (13)

Each KPI contributes to the overall score for this value. Every KPI has a named evidence source — none are based on self-reported disclosures.

Cruelty Free Cert Share

Percentage of products that are certified cruelty-free by recognized third parties.

Evidence: Leaping Bunny, PETA certification, product labeling, official certification registries.

Alt Testing Usage

Extent to which non-animal testing methods are employed for product safety and efficacy.

Evidence: Corporate testing protocols, regulatory submissions, lab records, published research.

Humane Cert Ops Pct

Percentage of animal-related operations that hold recognized humane certifications.

Evidence: Certified Humane, Global Animal Partnership, American Humane Certified documentation.

Wildlife Conservation Impact

Measurable biodiversity impact of conservation initiatives, including species recovery and habitat restoration metrics.

Evidence: Independent ecological assessments, species population data, habitat quality measurements, conservation scientist partnerships.

Ethical Input Sub Pct

Percentage of animal-derived ingredients/materials replaced with ethical alternatives.

Evidence: Procurement data, product formulation records, supplier certifications.

Supplier Audit Pct

Percentage of animal-related suppliers audited for welfare compliance.

Evidence: Audit reports, supplier assessment records, third-party verification documentation.

Cage Free Source Pct

Percentage of eggs, poultry and other animal products sourced from cage-free or better systems.

Evidence: Supplier certifications, procurement records, supply chain audit reports.

Animal Testing Policy

Strength, scope, and enforcement of animal testing policies.

Evidence: Corporate policy documents, compliance reports, public commitments.

Animal Testing Volume

Number of animals used in testing annually with transparent reduction goals.

Evidence: Lab records, regulatory filings, annual sustainability reports.

Innovation Investment Pct

Percentage of R&D budget invested in developing animal-free technologies and alternatives.

Evidence: R&D budgets, innovation pipeline reports, research grants, partnerships.

Animal Agriculture Ethics

Holistic assessment of animal agriculture practices including enrichment, space allocation, and natural behavior enablement.

Evidence: Farm visit reports, independent veterinary assessments, behavioral monitoring data, space allocation metrics.

Animal Free Rd Collaboration

Participation in multi-stakeholder initiatives to develop industry-wide animal-free testing and sourcing standards.

Evidence: Consortium memberships, joint research publications, shared protocol developments, regulatory advocacy efforts.

Public Policy Engagement

Active engagement in animal welfare policy improvement and advocacy for higher standards.

Evidence: Public policy submissions, legislative testimony, industry association leadership, coalition memberships.

How scores move between tiers

Representative score levels. Click any tier to read the KPI-by-KPI criteria — as more KPIs meet the higher-tier description, the aggregate score climbs.

-100Worst-in-class

13 criteria · click to read

Cruelty Free Cert Share: Not a single product is certified cruelty-free; undercover reports reveal systemic confinement and abuse hidden from regulators.

Alt Testing Usage: No validated non-animal methods are employed; the company relies entirely on high-pain, outdated in vivo tests.

Humane Cert Ops Pct: Zero operational sites hold any humane certification; facility records document extreme overcrowding and neglect.

Wildlife Conservation Impact: No conservation initiatives; operations have directly destroyed critical habitats with documented wildlife mortality.

Ethical Input Sub Pct: All key ingredients remain animal-derived, including exotic leathers and fur, with no plan for substitution.

Supplier Audit Pct: No supplier has ever been audited for welfare; documented abuses along the chain go unaddressed.

Cage Free Source Pct: 100 % of eggs and poultry originate from high-density cage systems with no welfare safeguards.

Animal Testing Policy: No formal policy; labs conduct maximum-pain procedures without analgesia or oversight.

Animal Testing Volume: > 100 000 animals used annually, including primates and companion species, often for redundant assays.

Innovation Investment Pct: < 0.5 % of R&D budget is allocated to animal-free technologies; leadership dismisses alternatives.

Animal Agriculture Ethics: Extreme confinement practices; animals have no ability to express natural behaviors; routine mutilations without pain relief.

Animal Free Rd Collaboration: No participation in any collaborative initiatives; actively opposes industry reforms for animal welfare.

Public Policy Engagement: Lobbies against animal welfare regulations and supports weakening of existing protections.

-50Below average

13 criteria · click to read

Cruelty Free Cert Share: ~ 20 % of products bear cruelty-free labels, backed by third-party verification.

Alt Testing Usage: Non-animal assays cover early-stage toxicity screens but are rarely used for complex endpoints.

Humane Cert Ops Pct: ~ 25 % of operations hold humane certification, with annual renewal audits.

Wildlife Conservation Impact: ~0.25% revenue funds strategic conservation with documented outcomes for 1-2 species.

Ethical Input Sub Pct: ~ 15 % substitution of animal-based inputs with plant-based or cultured analogues.

Supplier Audit Pct: ~ 50 % of suppliers audited annually, with compliance ratings published internally.

Cage Free Source Pct: ~ 25 % of eggs and poultry sourced from certified cage-free farms.

Animal Testing Policy: Policy prohibits discretionary testing; legal mandates still override alternatives.

Animal Testing Volume: 7 000–10 000 animals used annually; reduction projects ongoing.

Innovation Investment Pct: ~ 2.5 % of R&D earmarked for alternative method development.

Animal Agriculture Ethics: Enriched environments in 25% of facilities; reduced stocking density program; welfare officer appointed.

Animal Free Rd Collaboration: Regular participant in collaborative initiatives with modest financial contribution.

Public Policy Engagement: Publicly endorses specific animal welfare reforms; provides some expert testimony.

0Neutral / mixed

13 criteria · click to read

Cruelty Free Cert Share: N/A – company is service-oriented with no animal-derived products or testing activities.

Alt Testing Usage: N/A – no in-house or contracted animal testing operations.

Humane Cert Ops Pct: N/A – no animal husbandry or captive operations under company control.

Wildlife Conservation Impact: N/A – core business model does not impact wildlife habitats or conservation.

Ethical Input Sub Pct: N/A – zero animal inputs in any product line.

Supplier Audit Pct: N/A – no animal-welfare audit scope applies.

Cage Free Source Pct: N/A – no eggs, meat, or dairy sourced.

Animal Testing Policy: N/A – policy not applicable to digital or service offerings.

Animal Testing Volume: N/A – no live animals are used or counted.

Innovation Investment Pct: N/A – no R&D relevant to animal-free substitution.

Animal Agriculture Ethics: N/A – no animal agriculture operations or sourcing applicable.

Animal Free Rd Collaboration: N/A – company operates in sector without animal testing or product issues.

Public Policy Engagement: N/A – company's operations do not intersect with animal welfare policies.

+50Above average

13 criteria · click to read

Cruelty Free Cert Share: ≈ 85 % of products carry cruelty-free seals validated by independent NGOs.

Alt Testing Usage: Non-animal assays cover > 98 % of internal and external safety requirements.

Humane Cert Ops Pct: ≈ 98 % of animal sites certified humane; remaining sites on track for certification.

Wildlife Conservation Impact: ~1.5% revenue funds ecosystem regeneration with measurable increases in biodiversity indices.

Ethical Input Sub Pct: ≈ 75 % of inputs are cruelty-free substitutes, including advanced cell-based proteins.

Supplier Audit Pct: ≈ 96 % of suppliers audited, with zero-tolerance policy for welfare breaches.

Cage Free Source Pct: ≈ 93 % of animal products sourced cage-free; roadmap to 100 % published.

Animal Testing Policy: Externally certified cruelty-free policy with annual public performance dashboard.

Animal Testing Volume: < 30 animals used per year in legally mandated tests only.

Innovation Investment Pct: ≈ 9 % of R&D allocated to open-access, cruelty-free technology platforms.

Animal Agriculture Ethics: Enriched environments in 98% of facilities; highest welfare standards integrated into operations; continuous monitoring.

Animal Free Rd Collaboration: Established major innovation hub for animal-free technologies with multi-stakeholder governance.

Public Policy Engagement: Leading advocate for animal welfare policy; regularly advises governments on welfare legislation.

+100Best-in-class

13 criteria · click to read

Cruelty Free Cert Share: Every single product carries cruelty-free certification renewed annually; the company has eliminated all animal exploitation from its supply chain.

Alt Testing Usage: The firm pioneered an AI-driven in silico and organ-on-chip platform adopted by major regulators, ensuring zero animal use.

Humane Cert Ops Pct: 100 % of all facilities are certified to the highest global humane standards with live public audit streams.

Wildlife Conservation Impact: ≥3.5% annual revenue invested in habitat restoration has measurably reversed declines in multiple endangered populations.

Ethical Input Sub Pct: Over 98 % of all animal-derived inputs have been replaced with synthetic, plant-based, or cultured alternatives that exceed performance benchmarks.

Supplier Audit Pct: All tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers are audited under a unified welfare standard, with non-negotiable remediation contracts publicly available.

Cage Free Source Pct: 100 % of egg, meat, and dairy sourcing meets or exceeds the strictest free-range and enrichment criteria.

Animal Testing Policy: A global corporate ban on all animal testing across every product category, with active advocacy for phasing out tests industry-wide.

Animal Testing Volume: No animals have been used in any testing protocols since 2010; annual external audits confirm compliance.

Innovation Investment Pct: At least 15 % of R&D budget is devoted to open-access programs that accelerate the elimination of animal use worldwide.

Animal Agriculture Ethics: Sets global gold standard for animal welfare; animals live in conditions optimized for natural behaviors; continuous welfare monitoring shows exceptional outcomes.

Animal Free Rd Collaboration: Pioneered transformative cross-industry alliance that has demonstrably reduced global animal testing by measurable percentage.

Public Policy Engagement: Transformative force in global animal welfare policy; has created lasting legislative changes across multiple jurisdictions.

External benchmarks

Certifications

Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) · RSPCA Assured · Global Animal Partnership (GAP) · Certified Humane · Compassion in World Farming Standards

Standards & frameworks

Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare · OIE Animal Welfare Standards · EU Animal Welfare Legislation · Farm Animal Welfare Council Guidelines · World Animal Protection Standards

Value

Respect for Cultures & Communities

Companies that protect indigenous rights, cultural heritage, and local traditions.

These organizations engage communities in equitable dialogue, safeguard cultural resources, and collaborate with local stakeholders to preserve traditions and heritage. They avoid practices like appropriation or forced displacement, and they respect the autonomy of indigenous peoples.

What this value does not cover: This does not explicitly address labor conditions (Fair Pay & Worker Respect) or supply chain sourcing (Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing). Nor does it focus on environmental footprint unless cultural land rights are directly threatened.

Rating labels

Heritage DisruptorCommunity PartnerCulture Preserver

We label a company Heritage Disruptor when its evidence trends negative, Community Partner when signals are mixed, and Culture Preserver when the public record shows documented leadership on this dimension.

View KPIs and scoring rubric(19 KPIs · 5 tiers)

Signals we look for (19)

Each KPI contributes to the overall score for this value. Every KPI has a named evidence source — none are based on self-reported disclosures.

# Formal Partnerships

Number of formal partnership agreements with indigenous or local community groups.

Evidence: Community engagement reports; signed MOUs or partnership contracts.

Revenue Reinvested Local

Percentage of company revenue reinvested in local community development.

Evidence: Financial statements; CSR disclosures.

Cultural Appropriation Incidents

Number and severity of cultural appropriation incidents.

Evidence: Media reports; legal filings; internal incident logs.

Cultural Impact Assessment Protocol

Existence and implementation of a formal cultural impact assessment protocol.

Evidence: ESG policy documents; assessment procedure manuals.

Local Employment Ratio

Proportion of workforce recruited from local communities (%).

Evidence: HR records; sustainability report workforce breakdown.

Grievance Mechanisms Availability

Coverage of formal grievance mechanisms for community concerns (% of sites).

Evidence: Grievance policy documents; community feedback portals.

Avg Complaint Resolution Time

Average time to resolve community complaints (days).

Evidence: Case-management logs; resolution reports.

Fpic Participation Rate

Percentage of affected communities participating in FPIC processes.

Evidence: FPIC meeting records; consultation summaries.

Community Governance Inclusion

Representation of community members in board or advisory bodies (%).

Evidence: Board charters; advisory council membership lists.

Cultural Preservation Investment

Percentage of reinvestment allocated to cultural or linguistic preservation programs.

Evidence: Program budgets; CSR impact reports.

Local Procurement Share

Proportion of procurement spending directed to local suppliers (%).

Evidence: Purchasing ledgers; supplier-spend analyses.

Indigenous Supplier Count

Number of indigenous or minority-owned suppliers engaged.

Evidence: Supplier diversity registers; procurement databases.

Cultural Site Protection

Actions taken to protect cultural or heritage sites in operational areas.

Evidence: Incident reports; protection measures; regulatory filings.

Social License Operations

Percentage of operations with a documented social license to operate.

Evidence: Social license assessments; stakeholder survey results.

Charitable Giving Cultural

Percentage of revenue donated to cultural heritage organizations.

Evidence: Philanthropy reports; grant registries.

Community Fund Allocation

Percentage of non-core revenue distributed to community development funds.

Evidence: Financial disclosures; community-fund transaction records.

Language Inclusivity

Assessment score of language inclusivity in products and communications.

Evidence: Product audits; accessibility and inclusivity reports.

Cultural Incident Response

Effectiveness of response to cultural incidents or controversies.

Evidence: Incident response records; stakeholder feedback.

Cultural Training Completion

Percentage of employees completing cultural sensitivity training.

Evidence: Learning-management system records; training attendance logs.

How scores move between tiers

Representative score levels. Click any tier to read the KPI-by-KPI criteria — as more KPIs meet the higher-tier description, the aggregate score climbs.

-100Worst-in-class

19 criteria · click to read

# Formal Partnerships: No formal partnerships with indigenous or local community groups, despite operating in areas with indigenous populations.

Revenue Reinvested Local: 0% of revenue reinvested in local community development projects, with active avoidance of community investment.

Cultural Appropriation Incidents: Multiple (>5) unaddressed cultural appropriation incidents with significant harm to communities.

Cultural Impact Assessment Protocol: No cultural impact assessment protocol despite operating in culturally sensitive areas.

Local Employment Ratio: Less than 5% of workforce from local communities despite operating in populated areas.

Grievance Mechanisms Availability: No grievance mechanisms available to community stakeholders despite community impacts.

Avg Complaint Resolution Time: Community complaints systematically ignored or unresolved (>180 days on average).

Fpic Participation Rate: 0% of affected communities participate in FPIC processes despite legal requirements.

Community Governance Inclusion: No community representation on governance or advisory bodies despite significant community impact.

Cultural Preservation Investment: 0% of funds directed to cultural or linguistic preservation despite operating in culturally rich areas.

Local Procurement Share: Less than 5% of procurement spend directed to local suppliers despite availability.

Indigenous Supplier Count: No indigenous or minority-owned suppliers engaged despite availability in operational areas.

Cultural Site Protection: Multiple (≥3) major disruptions to cultural or heritage sites without remediation.

Social License Operations: 0% of operations possess a documented social license to operate despite community presence.

Charitable Giving Cultural: 0% of revenue donated to cultural heritage organizations despite operating in culturally significant areas.

Community Fund Allocation: 0% of non-core revenue distributed to community development funds despite community needs.

Language Inclusivity: Language inclusivity score below 20/100; systematic disregard for local languages.

Cultural Incident Response: Systematic denial and dismissal of cultural incidents when they occur.

Cultural Training Completion: Less than 10% of employees complete cultural sensitivity training despite cultural context.

-50Below average

19 criteria · click to read

# Formal Partnerships: 3-5 formal partnerships with indigenous or local community groups.

Revenue Reinvested Local: 1-3% of revenue reinvested in local community development.

Cultural Appropriation Incidents: 1-2 cultural appropriation incidents with partial remediation.

Cultural Impact Assessment Protocol: Protocol exists but implementation is inconsistent across operations.

Local Employment Ratio: 10-20% of workforce recruited from local communities.

Grievance Mechanisms Availability: 15-30% of operational sites have grievance mechanisms.

Avg Complaint Resolution Time: Community complaints resolved after 60-120 days on average.

Fpic Participation Rate: 15-30% of affected communities participate in FPIC processes.

Community Governance Inclusion: 10-20% of governance positions held by community representatives.

Cultural Preservation Investment: 1-3% of reinvested funds directed to cultural preservation.

Local Procurement Share: 10-20% of procurement spend allocated locally.

Indigenous Supplier Count: 4-8 indigenous or minority-owned suppliers engaged.

Cultural Site Protection: 1 incident disrupting a cultural or heritage site with active remediation.

Social License Operations: 15-30% of operations have a social license to operate.

Charitable Giving Cultural: 0.5-2% of revenue donated to cultural heritage organizations.

Community Fund Allocation: 1-3% of non-core revenue to community funds.

Language Inclusivity: Language inclusivity score 35-50/100; limited local language incorporation.

Cultural Incident Response: Reactive responses to cultural incidents after public pressure.

Cultural Training Completion: 20-40% of employees complete cultural sensitivity training.

0Neutral / mixed

19 criteria · click to read

# Formal Partnerships: No partnerships with indigenous or local community groups as not applicable to business model.

Revenue Reinvested Local: Industry standard community investment with no particular focus on local communities.

Cultural Appropriation Incidents: No reported cultural appropriation incidents (not applicable to business model).

Cultural Impact Assessment Protocol: No specific protocol as company operations do not impact cultural contexts.

Local Employment Ratio: Local hiring at industry average rates without specific targets.

Grievance Mechanisms Availability: Standard grievance processes without community-specific mechanisms.

Avg Complaint Resolution Time: No specific tracking of community complaint resolution times.

Fpic Participation Rate: FPIC processes not applicable to company operations.

Community Governance Inclusion: No specific community representation on governance bodies (not applicable).

Cultural Preservation Investment: No specific cultural preservation funding (not applicable).

Local Procurement Share: Industry standard procurement practices without local focus.

Indigenous Supplier Count: No specific tracking of indigenous suppliers (not applicable to operations).

Cultural Site Protection: No cultural site disruptions as company does not operate near such sites.

Social License Operations: Social license concept not applicable to business model.

Charitable Giving Cultural: General charitable giving without cultural heritage focus.

Community Fund Allocation: No community fund distributions (not applicable).

Language Inclusivity: Basic language inclusivity at industry standard levels.

Cultural Incident Response: No cultural incident response framework as not applicable.

Cultural Training Completion: Standard diversity training without specific cultural sensitivity components.

+50Above average

19 criteria · click to read

# Formal Partnerships: 10-15 formal partnerships with indigenous or local community groups.

Revenue Reinvested Local: 7-10% of revenue reinvested in local community development.

Cultural Appropriation Incidents: No cultural appropriation incidents in past 3 years; robust preventative framework.

Cultural Impact Assessment Protocol: Industry-leading protocol with regular external auditing.

Local Employment Ratio: 40-50% of workforce recruited from local communities.

Grievance Mechanisms Availability: 60-75% of operational sites have grievance mechanisms.

Avg Complaint Resolution Time: Community complaints resolved after 20-30 days on average.

Fpic Participation Rate: 60-75% of affected communities participate in FPIC processes.

Community Governance Inclusion: 40-50% of governance positions held by community representatives.

Cultural Preservation Investment: 7-10% of reinvested funds directed to cultural preservation.

Local Procurement Share: 40-50% of procurement spend allocated locally.

Indigenous Supplier Count: 19-25 indigenous or minority-owned suppliers engaged.

Cultural Site Protection: No incidents with active protection measures for cultural sites.

Social License Operations: 60-75% of operations have a documented social license to operate.

Charitable Giving Cultural: 5-7% of revenue donated to cultural heritage organizations.

Community Fund Allocation: 8-12% of non-core revenue to community funds.

Language Inclusivity: Language inclusivity score 70-80/100; strong local language support.

Cultural Incident Response: Proactive prevention and rapid response frameworks in place.

Cultural Training Completion: 70-80% of employees complete advanced cultural sensitivity training.

+100Best-in-class

19 criteria · click to read

# Formal Partnerships: Over 20 formal partnerships with indigenous or local community groups.

Revenue Reinvested Local: Over 15% of revenue reinvested in local community development.

Cultural Appropriation Incidents: Zero cultural appropriation incidents with external verification; sets global standards.

Cultural Impact Assessment Protocol: Globally recognized gold standard protocol with UN endorsement.

Local Employment Ratio: Over 70% of workforce recruited from local communities.

Grievance Mechanisms Availability: Over 90% of operational sites have grievance mechanisms.

Avg Complaint Resolution Time: Community complaints resolved in under 10 days on average.

Fpic Participation Rate: Over 90% of affected communities participate in FPIC processes.

Community Governance Inclusion: Over 70% of governance positions held by community representatives.

Cultural Preservation Investment: Over 15% of reinvested funds directed to cultural preservation.

Local Procurement Share: Over 70% of procurement spend allocated locally.

Indigenous Supplier Count: Over 40 indigenous or minority-owned suppliers engaged.

Cultural Site Protection: Zero incidents with active restoration of previously damaged sites.

Social License Operations: Over 90% of operations have a documented social license to operate.

Charitable Giving Cultural: Over 10% of revenue donated to cultural heritage organizations.

Community Fund Allocation: Over 18% of non-core revenue to community funds.

Language Inclusivity: Language inclusivity score over 90/100; world-leading language inclusion.

Cultural Incident Response: World-class preventative systems with no incidents requiring response.

Cultural Training Completion: Over 90% of employees complete world-class cultural sensitivity training.

External benchmarks

Certifications

B Corp Community Impact Assessment · SROI Social Return on Investment · UN Global Compact Social Sustainability · Fair Trade Community Development · Indigenous Community Certification

Standards & frameworks

UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples · IFC Performance Standards on Social Sustainability · ISO 26000 Social Responsibility · GRI 400 Social Standards · FPIC Free Prior Informed Consent

Value

Fair Money & Economic Opportunity

Scores firms on fair pricing, inclusion, and customer-empowerment in finance.

Covers any activity that lends, insures, moves, or stores money. Positive scores reward affordable pricing, transparent terms, open data, and measurable wealth uplift for underserved customers (low-income, minority, rural, immigrant, or credit-invisible populations). Negative scores penalise payday-style exploitation, opaque fees, and discrimination in lending. This value evaluates how financial institutions democratize access to fair financial services and help build intergenerational wealth across demographic groups.

What this value does not cover: General corruption is handled under Honest & Fair Business; worker pay fairness sits in Fair Pay & Worker Respect. This does not address general investment strategies unless they specifically impact financial inclusion or economic opportunity for marginalized populations.

Rating labels

Wealth-HoarderOpportunity-CreatorEconomic-Equaliser

We label a company Wealth-Hoarder when its evidence trends negative, Opportunity-Creator when signals are mixed, and Economic-Equaliser when the public record shows documented leadership on this dimension.

View KPIs and scoring rubric(12 KPIs · 5 tiers)

Signals we look for (12)

Each KPI contributes to the overall score for this value. Every KPI has a named evidence source — none are based on self-reported disclosures.

Underserved Client Share

% of total customers from underserved or minority segments (low-income, rural, immigrant, minority, or credit-invisible populations).

Evidence: DEI disclosures, regulator fair-lending datasets, CSR reports, customer demographics.

Pricing Fairness

Average APR or fee multiple versus market median (lower is fairer). Exploitative is defined as >50% above median market rates.

Evidence: Published rate sheets, watchdog price surveys, APR indices, fee schedules.

Exploitative Fee Exposure

% of revenue from high-cost products (payday, overdraft, etc.) with APRs exceeding 36%.

Evidence: Segment revenue tables, CFPB filings, media investigations, product disclosures.

Inclusion Initiatives

Share of loan/insurance book aimed at low-income, SME, or micro-segments.

Evidence: Annual reports, micro-finance portfolio notes, NGO partnerships, impact reports.

Data Accessibility

Breadth of free, real-time customer data portability (open-banking APIs) and customer control over data sharing.

Evidence: Developer portals, PSD2/CCPA attestations, audit certificates, API documentation.

Fair Lending Compliance

Regulatory findings or fines for discriminatory or unfair lending, and proactive fair-lending practices.

Evidence: FCA / CFPB penalty registers, court documents, compliance program documentation.

Wealth Building Outcome

% of users showing credit-score rise, savings growth, first-time homeownership, or business creation.

Evidence: Impact studies, anonymised bureau data, CSR KPI tables, longitudinal customer surveys.

Profit Reinvestment

% of annual pre-tax profit reinvested in community finance or profit-sharing with underserved communities.

Evidence: CSR budgets, community-reinvestment acts, ESOP filings, foundation activities.

Financial Literacy Initiatives

Extent and impact of educational programs on financial literacy, measured by reach and outcomes.

Evidence: Program enrollment statistics, pre/post knowledge assessments, behavioral change metrics, curriculum quality.

Debt Burden Ratio

Average debt-to-income ratio of customers compared to industry benchmarks and monitoring practices.

Evidence: Portfolio risk reports, loan origination data, debt management programs, affordability assessments.

Geographic Inclusion

Coverage of banking deserts and underserved geographic regions, especially rural and low-income areas.

Evidence: Branch/ATM location maps, mobile banking penetration data, agent banking networks, service point analysis.

Product Simplicity

Complexity level of financial products measured against readability standards and disclosure transparency.

Evidence: Terms & conditions readability scores, product disclosure simplicity metrics, user comprehension testing.

How scores move between tiers

Representative score levels. Click any tier to read the KPI-by-KPI criteria — as more KPIs meet the higher-tier description, the aggregate score climbs.

-100Worst-in-class

12 criteria · click to read

Underserved Client Share: Serves virtually 0 % of underserved or minority clients while aggressively targeting them with high-risk loans.

Pricing Fairness: Imposes APRs well above 100 % and hidden fee structures that amount to more than 10× the market norm.

Exploitative Fee Exposure: Derives over 80 % of revenue from exploitative products such as payday loans, overdraft traps, and penalty fees.

Inclusion Initiatives: Has no inclusion programs and actively lobbies against consumer-protection or fair-lending regulations.

Data Accessibility: Blocks all customer-data portability; charges ransom fees and provides no open or real-time APIs.

Fair Lending Compliance: Subject of multiple class-action suits and > $100 M in fines for predatory or discriminatory lending.

Wealth Building Outcome: Customers suffer widespread credit-score declines and sustained debt cycles with no relief programs.

Profit Reinvestment: Reinvests under 0.5 % of profits in community or empowerment initiatives, focusing solely on extractive practices.

Financial Literacy Initiatives: No financial literacy programs offered; marketing actively obscures product costs and risks.

Debt Burden Ratio: Average customer debt-to-income ratio exceeds 60% with no maximum limits enforced or monitoring.

Geographic Inclusion: No branches or services in low-income areas; actively closes locations in marginalized communities.

Product Simplicity: Products require college-level reading (grade 16+); terms intentionally confusing with hidden clauses.

-50Below average

12 criteria · click to read

Underserved Client Share: Reaches about 10 % of underserved markets, though product fit remains narrow.

Pricing Fairness: APR of 18–20 % with clear but delayed disclosure of fees.

Exploitative Fee Exposure: 25 % of revenue from high-cost products, though trending downward slightly.

Inclusion Initiatives: Runs pilot programs in multiple cities but lacks national rollout.

Data Accessibility: Pilots a read-only API with quarterly data refreshes.

Fair Lending Compliance: Compliant but has not undertaken proactive fair-lending audits.

Wealth Building Outcome: Up to 5 % of customers achieve measurable credit uplift.

Profit Reinvestment: Reinvests roughly 5 % of profits in financial-empowerment partnerships.

Financial Literacy Initiatives: Structured education reaching 15% of customers with some outcome measurement.

Debt Burden Ratio: Average customer debt-to-income ratio between 35-40% with standard monitoring.

Geographic Inclusion: Approximately 20% of service points in underserved areas; inclusive digital channels.

Product Simplicity: Products require middle school level reading (grade 8-9); simplification project underway.

0Neutral / mixed

12 criteria · click to read

Underserved Client Share: Not applicable – firm does not offer lending or deposit services to consumers.

Pricing Fairness: No APR or fee structures to evaluate; no consumer credit products offered.

Exploitative Fee Exposure: No revenue from high-cost financial products or penalty fees.

Inclusion Initiatives: No dedicated inclusion programs; company's core business lies outside finance.

Data Accessibility: No customer finance data generated or managed.

Fair Lending Compliance: Not regulated as a lender; no fair-lending history available.

Wealth Building Outcome: No direct impact on customer credit or savings outcomes.

Profit Reinvestment: Standard profit retention policies; no community finance reinvestment.

Financial Literacy Initiatives: No financial education programs as company is not in financial services.

Debt Burden Ratio: Not applicable - company does not provide debt products to consumers.

Geographic Inclusion: Not applicable - company does not operate financial service access points.

Product Simplicity: Not applicable - no financial products offered requiring disclosure or explanation.

+50Above average

12 criteria · click to read

Underserved Client Share: Serves ~ 65 % of underserved clients with proven low-barrier financial products.

Pricing Fairness: APR 2–3 % with peer-lowest rates and full transparency.

Exploitative Fee Exposure: < 0.5 % of revenue from exploitative fees; effectively eliminated.

Inclusion Initiatives: Inclusion lending makes up 18 % of the book with rigorous impact measurement.

Data Accessibility: Offers zero-rent APIs and full data portability via open protocols.

Fair Lending Compliance: Undergoes annual, independent fair-lending audits with published results.

Wealth Building Outcome: Approximately 65 % of users achieve 60-point+ credit-score improvements.

Profit Reinvestment: Reinvests around 14 % of profits into community finance and employee ownership.

Financial Literacy Initiatives: Pioneering financial capability system reaching 65% of customers with measured behavior change.

Debt Burden Ratio: Average customer debt-to-income ratio between 2-4% with automated sustainability guardrails.

Geographic Inclusion: Approximately 65% of service points in underserved areas; partner network approach.

Product Simplicity: World-class product clarity with cultural adaptation and accessibility features.

+100Best-in-class

12 criteria · click to read

Underserved Client Share: Serves ≥ 85 % of underserved populations, closing historical access gaps across demographics.

Pricing Fairness: Implements universal cost-plus pricing ≤ 1 % APR with full transparency.

Exploitative Fee Exposure: Zero revenue from exploitative fees; all products aligned to mission.

Inclusion Initiatives: Inclusion lending ≥ 40 % of portfolio with verified poverty-exit outcomes.

Data Accessibility: Operates global open-banking public-good platform with real-time data portals.

Fair Lending Compliance: Drives international fair-lending policy; zero regulatory infractions.

Wealth Building Outcome: Achieves ≥ 85 % customer credit and asset growth with independent validation.

Profit Reinvestment: Reinvests ≥ 25 % of profits into community finance, employee ownership, and capacity building.

Financial Literacy Initiatives: Universal financial capability program reaching all customers with documented economic mobility outcomes.

Debt Burden Ratio: Transformative approach creates net asset holders instead of debtors across all customer segments.

Geographic Inclusion: 100% coverage of banking deserts with innovative last-mile solutions for all communities.

Product Simplicity: Revolutionary product design with 100% comprehension rates across all education levels and demographics.

External benchmarks

Certifications

B Corp Economic Impact Assessment · Fair Trade Economic Development · Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) · Social Enterprise Mark · UN Global Compact Economic Standards

Standards & frameworks

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises · UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights · IFC Performance Standards · GRI 200 Economic Standards · ISO 26000 Economic Responsibility

Value

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

Assesses whether a firm procures materials and services without exploitation and with full transparency.

Scores any industry on how it prevents child/forced labour, pays producers fairly, and discloses supply-chain provenance. Positive tiers reward certified fair-trade inputs, deep multi-tier visibility, rapid remediation, and meaningful community investment.

What this value does not cover: Worker wages inside a company’s own sites fall under Fair Pay & Worker Respect. Environmental impacts not tied to sourcing live in Planet-Friendly Business.

Rating labels

Exploitation EnablerChain ReformerEthical Sourcer

We label a company Exploitation Enabler when its evidence trends negative, Chain Reformer when signals are mixed, and Ethical Sourcer when the public record shows documented leadership on this dimension.

View KPIs and scoring rubric(8 KPIs · 5 tiers)

Signals we look for (8)

Each KPI contributes to the overall score for this value. Every KPI has a named evidence source — none are based on self-reported disclosures.

Fair Trade Cert Share

% of tier-1 spend covered by recognised fair-trade or equivalent certifications.

Evidence: Audit statements, supplier certificates, procurement dashboards.

Audit Frequency

Average months between on-site audits for tier-1 suppliers (lower is better).

Evidence: Audit calendars, CSR reports, third-party verifier data.

Forced Child Labour Incidents

Number of substantiated forced- or child-labour findings in last 3 years.

Evidence: NGO reports, regulator databases, company incident logs.

Traceability Coverage

% of tier 1-3 suppliers with traceable provenance data.

Evidence: Blockchain/ERP export, supply-chain mapping portals, public disclosure files.

Remediation Speed

Median days to close corrective-action plans after violations.

Evidence: CAP logs, third-party auditor attestations.

Ethical Clause Coverage

% of suppliers whose contracts include enforceable ethical-sourcing clauses.

Evidence: Contract templates, procurement policy, supplier attestations.

Materials Risk Index

Share of spend on high-risk materials (conflict minerals, uncertified palm oil, etc.).

Evidence: CMRT submissions, materials LCA, industry risk indices.

Supplier Diversity Spend

% of procurement budget directed to indigenous, minority, or local community suppliers.

Evidence: Supply-chain diversity reports, spend analytics, community-sourcing disclosures.

How scores move between tiers

Representative score levels. Click any tier to read the KPI-by-KPI criteria — as more KPIs meet the higher-tier description, the aggregate score climbs.

-100Worst-in-class

8 criteria · click to read

Fair Trade Cert Share: 0 % of tier-1 spend is fair-trade certified; investigations reveal systematic use of forced-labour suppliers.

Audit Frequency: No supply-chain audits conducted in past decade; suppliers operate unchecked across all tiers.

Forced Child Labour Incidents: >10 substantiated child- or forced-labour cases in last 3 years, none remediated.

Traceability Coverage: 0 % of tier 1–3 suppliers have traceable provenance; entire chain opaque.

Remediation Speed: Corrective plans remain open for >365 days; violations persist unaddressed.

Ethical Clause Coverage: 0 % of supplier contracts include enforceable ethical-sourcing clauses.

Materials Risk Index: >90 % of spend on high-risk materials (conflict minerals, uncertified palm oil) without mitigation.

Supplier Diversity Spend: <1 % of procurement budget directed to local, indigenous, or minority suppliers.

-50Below average

8 criteria · click to read

Fair Trade Cert Share: ~20 % of inputs carry recognized fair-trade certification.

Audit Frequency: Annual tier 1 and tier 2 audits; limited spot checks on tier 3.

Forced Child Labour Incidents: One major violation remediated within 90 days; public report issued.

Traceability Coverage: ~45 % of supply chain visible through tier 2; tier 3 pilots starting.

Remediation Speed: CAPs typically close in 90–120 days with public progress updates.

Ethical Clause Coverage: ~45 % of contracts include enforceable ethical-sourcing clauses.

Materials Risk Index: ~40 % high-risk spend, with structured risk-mitigation plans.

Supplier Diversity Spend: ~8 % directed to minority and local community suppliers.

0Neutral / mixed

8 criteria · click to read

Fair Trade Cert Share: N/A – organisation does not procure or trade physical commodities.

Audit Frequency: N/A – no supplier base requiring welfare or sourcing audits.

Forced Child Labour Incidents: N/A – no exposure to upstream labour practices.

Traceability Coverage: N/A – no supply chain tiers to map.

Remediation Speed: N/A – no remediation processes required.

Ethical Clause Coverage: N/A – no supplier contracts exist in scope.

Materials Risk Index: N/A – no material sourcing of at-risk inputs.

Supplier Diversity Spend: N/A – no procurement activities.

+50Above average

8 criteria · click to read

Fair Trade Cert Share: ~85 % of inputs are fair-trade certified; entire tier 1 certification nearly complete.

Audit Frequency: Real-time digital and quarterly physical audits across all supply-chain tiers.

Forced Child Labour Incidents: Zero cases; supplier training programs prevent reoccurrence.

Traceability Coverage: ~97 % mapped to farm or mine level; open-data portal live.

Remediation Speed: Violations closed within 3–5 days; public remediation dashboards maintained.

Ethical Clause Coverage: ~99 % of contracts include enforceable clauses with third-party enforcement.

Materials Risk Index: ~1 % high-risk spend, fully replaced or offset.

Supplier Diversity Spend: ~26 % directed to local/indigenous suppliers with verified livelihoods impact.

+100Best-in-class

8 criteria · click to read

Fair Trade Cert Share: 100 % of tier-1 to tier-3 spend carries fair-trade or equivalent certification renewed annually.

Audit Frequency: 24/7 AI monitoring with unannounced physical audits conducted hourly across all tiers.

Forced Child Labour Incidents: Zero incidents ever recorded; company leads global eradication initiatives.

Traceability Coverage: 100 % provenance mapped to origin with public blockchain and GIS integration.

Remediation Speed: Violations remediated within 6 h with supplier suspension and public restitution programs.

Ethical Clause Coverage: 100 % of contracts include enforceable ethical clauses with on-chain escrow enforcement.

Materials Risk Index: 0 % high-risk spend; all inputs supplanted by sustainable, certified alternatives.

Supplier Diversity Spend: ~40 % procurement to indigenous, local, and minority suppliers with co-ownership models.

External benchmarks

Certifications

Fair Trade Certified · SA8000 Social Accountability · FSC Forest Stewardship Council · WRAP Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production · SMETA Social Audit

Standards & frameworks

ILO Core Labour Standards · UN Global Compact Principles · OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises · Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code · ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement

Value

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Businesses that reduce waste, use renewable materials, and promote circular economies.

Organizations in this category aim to minimize waste through strategic design, resource recovery, and recycling. They may prioritize compostable or recyclable packaging, invest in take-back programs, and foster a cradle-to-cradle product lifecycle.

What this value does not cover: This does not address general carbon reduction efforts (Planet-Friendly Business) unless related to waste management. It also does not cover fair or ethical labor practices, which belong to Fair Pay & Worker Respect and Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing.

Rating labels

Waste CreatorResource OptimizerCircular Innovator

We label a company Waste Creator when its evidence trends negative, Resource Optimizer when signals are mixed, and Circular Innovator when the public record shows documented leadership on this dimension.

View KPIs and scoring rubric(19 KPIs · 5 tiers)

Signals we look for (19)

Each KPI contributes to the overall score for this value. Every KPI has a named evidence source — none are based on self-reported disclosures.

Waste Diversion Rate

Percentage of waste diverted from landfill through recycling, composting, or reuse.

Evidence: Waste management reports; sustainability disclosures; third-party waste audits.

Product Recyclability

Percentage of product components that are recyclable at end-of-life.

Evidence: Product design specifications; materials declarations; recyclability certifications.

Packaging Sustainability

Percentage of packaging that is recyclable, compostable, or reusable.

Evidence: Packaging specifications; sustainability reports; material composition analyses.

Recycled Content Percentage

Percentage of post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content in products.

Evidence: Material sourcing records; supplier declarations; product composition analyses.

Single Use Plastic Reduction

Percentage reduction in single-use plastic from baseline year.

Evidence: Material usage records; packaging transition plans; plastic footprint assessments.

Take Back Program Coverage

Percentage of products covered by take-back or end-of-life recycling programs.

Evidence: Product stewardship programs; recycling partnership agreements; collection metrics.

Circular Design Principles

Integration of circular economy principles in product design and development.

Evidence: Design guidelines; product lifecycle assessments; circularity metrics.

Waste Reduction Initiatives

Number and effectiveness of waste reduction initiatives implemented.

Evidence: Sustainability reports; project documentation; waste reduction metrics.

Hazardous Waste Management

Proper handling and minimization of hazardous waste materials.

Evidence: Hazardous waste manifests; compliance records; treatment documentation.

Product Durability

Average lifespan of products compared to industry standard.

Evidence: Product testing data; warranty information; durability certifications.

Repairability Score

Ease of repair for products (standardized score or rating).

Evidence: Repair manuals; spare parts availability; third-party repairability assessments.

Waste Audit Frequency

Frequency and comprehensiveness of waste audits across operations.

Evidence: Audit reports; waste characterization studies; improvement plans.

Zero Waste Certification

Percentage of facilities with zero waste certification (e.g., TRUE Zero Waste).

Evidence: Certification documentation; facility assessment reports; audit results.

Waste Disposal Violations

Number of waste disposal violations or citations in reporting period.

Evidence: Regulatory filings; enforcement actions; compliance records.

Material Efficiency

Material input per unit of product output compared to industry average.

Evidence: Production data; material consumption records; efficiency metrics.

Packaging to Product Ratio

Ratio of packaging weight to product weight compared to industry average.

Evidence: Packaging specifications; product measurements; industry benchmarks.

Waste Reduction Targets

Existence and ambition of waste reduction targets with specific timelines.

Evidence: Sustainability strategy; public commitments; progress reports.

Supplier Waste Requirements

Waste reduction and recyclability requirements for suppliers.

Evidence: Supplier codes of conduct; procurement policies; supplier audit results.

Customer Waste Education

Programs to educate customers on proper disposal or recycling of products.

Evidence: Product labeling; educational materials; website information.

How scores move between tiers

Representative score levels. Click any tier to read the KPI-by-KPI criteria — as more KPIs meet the higher-tier description, the aggregate score climbs.

-100Worst-in-class

19 criteria · click to read

Waste Diversion Rate: 0-5% waste diversion rate; nearly all waste sent to landfill despite viable alternatives.

Product Recyclability: 0-5% of product components recyclable; designed with no regard for end-of-life disposal.

Packaging Sustainability: 0-5% sustainable packaging; excessive use of non-recyclable composites and materials.

Recycled Content Percentage: 0% recycled content; exclusive use of virgin materials despite recycled alternatives.

Single Use Plastic Reduction: No reduction or increasing use of single-use plastics; resistance to reduction efforts.

Take Back Program Coverage: No take-back programs despite industry standards; no producer responsibility.

Circular Design Principles: Products designed for planned obsolescence; deliberate barriers to repair or reuse.

Waste Reduction Initiatives: No waste reduction initiatives; active opposition to waste regulations.

Hazardous Waste Management: Documented illegal disposal of hazardous waste; multiple serious violations.

Product Durability: Products designed to fail shortly after warranty period; significantly below industry standard.

Repairability Score: Products deliberately designed to be unrepairable; anti-repair policies.

Waste Audit Frequency: No waste audits conducted; complete lack of waste stream knowledge.

Zero Waste Certification: No certifications despite industry peers having them; opposition to standards.

Waste Disposal Violations: Multiple serious waste disposal violations (>3 in past 3 years).

Material Efficiency: >50% more material input per unit than industry average; highly inefficient.

Packaging to Product Ratio: Packaging >5x industry average ratio; excessive and unnecessary packaging.

Waste Reduction Targets: No waste reduction targets; explicit rejection of waste reduction responsibility.

Supplier Waste Requirements: No supplier waste requirements; actively works with most wasteful suppliers.

Customer Waste Education: No customer guidance on product disposal; deliberate misinformation.

-50Below average

19 criteria · click to read

Waste Diversion Rate: 30-40% waste diversion rate; moderate recycling program.

Product Recyclability: 35-45% of product components recyclable; standard focus on recyclability.

Packaging Sustainability: 40-50% sustainable packaging; half conventional/half sustainable.

Recycled Content Percentage: 15-20% recycled content; industry average usage.

Single Use Plastic Reduction: 15-25% reduction in single-use plastics; established program.

Take Back Program Coverage: 25-35% of products with take-back options; comprehensive programs.

Circular Design Principles: Circular design principles applied to several product categories.

Waste Reduction Initiatives: 4-5 waste reduction initiatives with good results.

Hazardous Waste Management: Very good hazardous waste management; active reduction.

Product Durability: Products with slightly below-average lifespans; 30-40% below standard.

Repairability Score: Products with average repairability; standard documentation.

Waste Audit Frequency: Annual waste audits for all major facilities.

Zero Waste Certification: 10-15% of facilities with zero waste certification.

Waste Disposal Violations: No waste disposal violations in past 2 years; strong compliance.

Material Efficiency: Industry average material input per unit; standard efficiency.

Packaging to Product Ratio: Packaging ratio at industry average; standard approach.

Waste Reduction Targets: Company-wide waste reduction targets with timelines.

Supplier Waste Requirements: Comprehensive waste requirements for key suppliers.

Customer Waste Education: Clear disposal information on all products and packaging.

0Neutral / mixed

19 criteria · click to read

Waste Diversion Rate: Industry average waste diversion rate; standard recycling practices.

Product Recyclability: Industry standard recyclability; typical approach to materials.

Packaging Sustainability: Industry average sustainable packaging; standard practices.

Recycled Content Percentage: Industry average recycled content; standard practices.

Single Use Plastic Reduction: No specific single-use plastic initiatives beyond industry standards.

Take Back Program Coverage: Industry standard take-back options where legally required.

Circular Design Principles: Neutral approach to circular design; neither leader nor laggard.

Waste Reduction Initiatives: Standard waste management practices; no special initiatives.

Hazardous Waste Management: Compliant hazardous waste handling; industry standard practices.

Product Durability: Industry average product lifespan; neither exceptional nor poor.

Repairability Score: Standard repairability; neither designed for nor against repair.

Waste Audit Frequency: Industry standard waste monitoring; typical approach.

Zero Waste Certification: No zero waste certification; standard waste management.

Waste Disposal Violations: No significant violations; standard compliance approach.

Material Efficiency: Industry average material usage; standard efficiency.

Packaging to Product Ratio: Industry average packaging ratio; standard approach.

Waste Reduction Targets: Standard industry waste targets; typical approach.

Supplier Waste Requirements: Basic supplier requirements aligned with industry standards.

Customer Waste Education: Standard disposal information; typical industry approach.

+50Above average

19 criteria · click to read

Waste Diversion Rate: 95-97% waste diversion rate; exceptional zero waste performance.

Product Recyclability: 97-98% of product components recyclable; revolutionary design.

Packaging Sustainability: 98-99% sustainable packaging; near-perfect sustainability.

Recycled Content Percentage: 80-85% recycled content; revolutionary circularity.

Single Use Plastic Reduction: 85-90% reduction in single-use plastics; plastic alternatives pioneered.

Take Back Program Coverage: 92-95% of products with take-back options; near-complete coverage.

Circular Design Principles: Revolutionary circular design transforming global industry standards.

Waste Reduction Initiatives: Globally recognized initiatives creating sector transformation.

Hazardous Waste Management: Zero hazardous materials with leadership in alternatives development.

Product Durability: Products with revolutionary lifespans; 50-60% above industry leaders.

Repairability Score: Perfect repairability scores with lifetime repair guarantees.

Waste Audit Frequency: Pioneering waste systems creating new global monitoring standards.

Zero Waste Certification: 90-95% of facilities with highest-level zero waste certification.

Waste Disposal Violations: Perfect compliance while developing next-generation standards.

Material Efficiency: 85% better material efficiency than industry average.

Packaging to Product Ratio: Packaging ratio 85-90% below industry average; transformative design.

Waste Reduction Targets: Global leadership in science-based targets with verified outcomes.

Supplier Waste Requirements: Revolutionary supplier transformation creating global change.

Customer Waste Education: Global leadership in customer education with verified impact.

+100Best-in-class

19 criteria · click to read

Waste Diversion Rate: 100% waste diversion rate; true zero waste to landfill achievement.

Product Recyclability: 100% of product components recyclable; perfect circularity.

Packaging Sustainability: 100% sustainable packaging; revolutionary circular packaging system.

Recycled Content Percentage: Maximum feasible recycled content (>97%); industry transformation.

Single Use Plastic Reduction: 100% elimination of single-use plastics; revolutionary alternatives.

Take Back Program Coverage: 100% of products with take-back options; perfect global system.

Circular Design Principles: Revolutionary circular design creating global industry transformation.

Waste Reduction Initiatives: Revolutionary waste elimination creating global transformation.

Hazardous Waste Management: Zero hazardous materials with global standards leadership.

Product Durability: Products with revolutionary lifespans; >95% above industry standard.

Repairability Score: Perfect repairability with global repair infrastructure development.

Waste Audit Frequency: Revolutionary waste-free monitoring systems setting global standards.

Zero Waste Certification: 100% of facilities with highest-level zero waste certification.

Waste Disposal Violations: Perfect compliance with global standards development leadership.

Material Efficiency: Revolutionary material efficiency creating global standards transformation.

Packaging to Product Ratio: Packaging ratio >99% below industry average; zero-waste packaging.

Waste Reduction Targets: Revolutionary targets creating verified global transformation.

Supplier Waste Requirements: Revolutionary supplier program with global transformation impact.

Customer Waste Education: Revolutionary global education creating systemic transformation.

External benchmarks

Certifications

Cradle to Cradle Certified · Ellen MacArthur Foundation CE100 · Global Recycled Standard (GRS) · GREENGUARD Environmental Institute · ISO 14855 Biodegradability

Standards & frameworks

Circular Economy Action Plan · BS 8001 Circular Economy Framework · ISO 14040 Life Cycle Assessment · Zero Waste International Alliance Definition · EU Waste Framework Directive

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