Kathmandu announces B Corp recertification

Kathmandu has been recertified as a B Corporation (B Corp). One of the first outdoor apparel brands to be B Corp certified back in 2019, Kathmandu has been commended by B Lab for significant improvements to its impact since then.

B Corps are for-profit organisations whose performance is measured across five impact areas: governance, workers, customers, community and the environment, by B Lab. B Lab is a non-profit organisation, founded in United States in 2006, that is transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet.

Kathmandu spokesperson Richard Dalke, Head of Marketing ANZ said “We believe the outdoors is where we live our best lives, so we want to do our part to protect it. B Corp certification is a global signpost for leadership in environmental and social impact – it was a significant achievement in itself to certify in 2019, and to now be able to say that Kathmandu has recertified with vast improvements to its impact is something we’re very proud of.”

The initiatives and commitments that contributed to Kathmandu’s impact included:

• Launching the world’s first biodegradable down jacket, the NXT-Level BioDown in April 2022;
• 100% Sustainable Cotton – source a mix of organic, recycled cotton and cotton sourced through Better Cotton;
• 100% Responsible Down Standard (RDS) – RDS aims to ensure that down and feathers come from animals that have not been subjected to any unnecessary harm; and
• Committed to all polyester recycled or recyclable by 2030.

Part of the global outdoor, lifestyle and sports company KMD Brands, Kathmandu recertifies alongside Group brands Rip Curl and Oboz, who certify for the first time. The certification of all companies under KMD Brands is a significant achievement, out of over 6,000 B Corps globally only 45 are listed businesses.

B Lab commended KMD Brands for its commitment to the B Corp movement which is using business as a force for good.

“The entire KMD Brands business is now part of an accelerating global cultural shift to redefine success, build a more inclusive and sustainable economy and use business as a force for good. This certification is a great example of how B Corps like Kathmandu can lead others – Rip Curl and Oboz – to improve their impact for people and the planet. We need businesses of all sizes to step up and be accountable and we applaud KMD Brands for doing so,” said Mindy Leow, Acting CEO of B Lab Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Achieving B Corp Certification across a large and diverse business like KMD Brands is a credit to them and an inspirational demonstration of how to do better business at scale. Their focus on continuous improvement sets a leading example for other large, global businesses and sends a powerful signal that will further advance change in the retail sector, and our broader global economic system.”