ESGmark®: Cost-Efficient B Corp Alternative for SMEs

Published: 12 October 2026
Author: Portia Patel

ESGmark® is an ESG certification designed for organisations seeking a rigorous but accessible alternative to B Corp. It offers a faster, more affordable, and more straightforward route to demonstrating strong environmental, social, and governance performance, particularly for SMEs that may find B Corp too time‑consuming or resource‑heavy.

WHY ESG CERTIFICATION MATTERS

Certification helps organisations demonstrate environmental, social, and governance performance through independent verification. It improves competitiveness, talent retention, and long term resilience, among other benefits.

B Corp, founded in the US in 2006, is among the most popular sustainability-focused certifications. However, the time, cost, complexity, and prescriptive elements of the B Corp process may be a concern for some organisations, particularly SMEs. Importantly, alternatives do exist.

WHAT IS ESGMARK® CERTIFICATION?

ESGmark® is a holistic ESG certification founded in 2020 in the UK, designed to be accessible to organisations of all sizes, especially SMEs. It evaluates environmental, social, and governance pillars through a streamlined, supportive process.

Key features:

Rigorous but straightforward assessment
No jargon, no unnecessary complexity
Designed to be completed in‑house
Practical guidance and support provided before, during, and after certification
Networking, promotion, and strategic introductions for certified organisations

ESGmark® combines practical support, affordability, and a personalised approach in one integrated programme.

ESGMARK® vs B CORP: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Many organisations value B Corp, but SMEs often face challenges such as:

12–24 month certification timelines
High complexity and prescriptive requirements
Significant internal resource demands
Higher costs and consultant involvement

ESGmark® offers a credible alternative with a faster, simpler, and more cost efficient pathway.

HOW LONG DOES ESGMARK® CERTIFICATION TAKE?

ESGmark® certification typically takes around three months to complete. The process is intentionally designed to be:

Free from jargon and unnecessary complexity
Streamlined and targeted
Supported by the ESGmark® team
Manageable without specialist ESG staff

HOW MUCH DOES ESGMARK® COST?

ESGmark® is structured to be budget friendly for SMEs.

Cost Overview:

Free to apply
No application fees
No verification fees
Certification can be completed without hiring consultants
Membership fees only apply after successful certification
Fees are tiered to turnover. Please click here for pricing.
Costs are approximately half the equivalent B Corp membership fees

WHO SHOULD LEAD THE APPLICATION?

The process is often managed in-house by individuals who may work in finance, legal, HR, and marketing. A successful application requires a genuine interest in sustainable business principles and desire to engage in the due diligence process, not a pre-existing level of technical competence.

KEY FACTS SUMMARY

ESGmark® founded: 2020
Typical certification timeline: ~3 months
Application fee: £0
Verification fee: £0
Membership fees: Only after certification; tiered to turnover
Cost comparison: ~50% lower than B Corp
Suitable for: SMEs, mid market, and large organisations
Focus areas: Environmental, Social, Governance
Additional support: Carbon footprinting, consultancy, networking, promotion, strategic introductions

HOW TO GET STARTED

Begin the process by registering here. You will be sent the application form by email, which covers the environmental, social and governance aspects of your organisation.

Alternatively, you can take a 3-minute quiz to get a personalised ESG roadmap for your organisation to see where you stand before applying for certification.

Get a personalised ESG roadmap for your organisation in 3 minutes | ESGmark®