What the label means, and what it does not mean

It means that :

• the organization's ESG approach has been evaluated on five pillars: activity, governance, social, environmental, societal;
• its responses have been examined against evidence and its employees, clients, and suppliers have been consulted;
• the file has been verified by a competent and independent third party before the award.

It does not mean that :

• a product or service is certified: only the organization is evaluated;
• the company has no negative impact on the environment or society;
• all its brands, subsidiaries, or establishments are included: only the scope indicated in the labeling decision is included;
• all its commercial claims are validated;
• the company automatically complies with all regulations or other ESG frameworks.

Positive Company also conducts CSR assessments on behalf of clients. These ratings are not a label and should not be presented as such.

The levels: 1, 2 or 3 stars

The level depends on an overall score out of 100 and prerequisites. In the standard process, the score combines half the evaluation of the company and half the opinion of its stakeholders.

A score below 50 does not qualify for the label. The requirements for prerequisites increase with the size of the company.

A simplified pathway exists for certain small entities: it does not grant any stars. The company must then publicly display a charter presenting its CSR commitments.

How the label is awarded

A company cannot award itself the label, nor obtain it through a simple declaration, signing a charter, or purchasing the right to use the logo. Payment for the evaluation does not guarantee the label or a level.

1. The company complies with the standard and provides evidence, which experts from Positive Company review.
2. Its employees, clients, and suppliers respond to anonymous surveys, with standardized questions that it cannot modify.
3. A competent and independent third party, legally distinct from Positive Company, reviews the file. An unfavourable conclusion prevents the award.
4. Positive Company then decides whether or not to award the label.

The label is valid for four years in the standard pathway, with a new complete evaluation after two years. This system complies with the European directive 2024/825 on sustainable development labels.

Check if a label is valid

Only an organization with a valid labeling decision can use the logo, for the level obtained and the assessed scope. A company that is still under evaluation cannot present itself as labeled.

To verify, consult the official list of labeled companies and compare: the name of the organization, the scope, the star level, the expiration date, and the status.

• Active : the label is currently valid.
• Suspended : the right to use the label is temporarily interrupted.
• Withdrawn : the right to use the label ended before the scheduled date.
• Expired : the validity period has ended and the label has not been renewed.

Doubt if the displayed level is higher than that on the list, if the logo is modified, or if the company implies that its entire group or all its products are affected.

Report misleading use

You can report a logo used without a valid label, an incorrect level or scope, misleading environmental or social communication, or a company using an expired, suspended, or withdrawn label. A report does not automatically result in a sanction: it is reviewed according to a documented procedure.

• Make a report
• Transparency and European compliance of the label
• Reference and rating
• Governance and independent control
• Monitoring and use of the label

Contact: contact@positive-company.eu