Active Apparel Group (AAG), a manufacturer of performance apparel for the leisure, lifestyle and active market for brands like ASRV, Bandier, Johnny Was and more, has received B Corp certification.
The B Corp certification is provided by the non-profit organization B Lab. The certification is awarded to organizations that uphold rigorous social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency standards. Organizations undergo the comprehensive B Impact Assessment (BIA), designed to measure, manage, and improve impact across five key areas: Workers, Community, Environment, Governance and Customers. This is a company milestone for AAG and underscores the company’s efforts to balance profit with positive social impact. It reflects the company’s commitment to long-term environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.
More and more sporting goods companies are trying to become B Corp certified. Arena, Private Sports Shop and recently Bollé Brands are all examples of companies that have secured a B Corp certification.
AAG scored 84.9 points on the rigorous B Impact Assessment (BIA), exceeding the 80-point threshold required for B Corp certification. The strongest areas represented in this score were Governance (17.6 pts), Workers (24.9 pts) and Customers (4.1 pts), which are significantly higher compared to country, sector and size benchmarks for similar B Corp-certified companies.
“We’re proud to be recognized as a B Corp, which is a natural extension of our commitment to building a more sustainable and equitable business,” said Active Apparel Group CEO Henry Jones. “These standards also encourage continuous sustainable innovation, drive valuable operational efficiencies, and enhance our ability to attract and retain top talent.”
A highlight of Active Apparel Group’s certification was the achievement of hard-to-earn Impact Business Model (IBM) points for their practices in Toxin Reduction / Remediation. This recognition highlights AAG’s deep commitment to reducing harmful chemicals in their production processes through using 100 percent Oeko-Tex-certified inks and responsible chemical management practices.
AAG already pays all workers a living wage. In 2023, an audit by third-party Bureau Veritas of AAG’s factory in China, Ningbo Longson Garments Co. Ltd (Longson), confirmed a 100 percent pass rate. Employees received wages exceeding the calculated living wage, 29 percent above the local minimum wage and 140 percent higher than the poverty line in Ningbo.
AAG has also committed to a structured approach to reducing its environmental impact across its global operations through an Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS, built using the ISO14001 Standard Framework, incorporates key environmental policy commitments and has set targets and strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations across China, Australia and the US.
