Essential Layer Inc., Cottonique’s Parent Company, Joins the B Corp Movement: A Pioneering Step Towards Ethically-Made Clothing

We are excited to share a noteworthy achievement with you. Our parent company, Essential Layer Inc., has obtained the prestigious B Corp Certification. This milestone underscores our unwavering dedication to producing allergy-free, sustainable, and socially responsible clothing. More importantly, it signifies a trustable commitment to ethical and sustainable practices for you, our valued customers.

As consumers, we are increasingly mindful of the brands we support. It’s not just about the latest trends or comfort; we seek authenticity, accountability, and a commitment to positive social and environmental impact. Recognizing this shift, Cottonique has always been unwaveringly dedicated to ethical practices, sustainable production, and transparency.

The recent achievement of B Corp Certification of our parent company, Essential Layer Inc. (ELI), underscores this commitment, affirming that we prioritize people and the planet in our undertakings. This dedication should reassure you of the positive impact your choice of Cottonique makes.

What Is a B Corporation?

A Certified B Corporation (B Corp) is a designation granted by B Lab, a nonprofit organization that evaluates companies based on their social and environmental performance, transparency, and legal accountability. B Lab advocates that businesses should be a force for good, aiming to change economic systems through credible, comprehensive impact standards.

This means companies aren’t just measured by their financial success and how they positively impact their workers, customers, communities, and the environment. By becoming a B Corp, businesses demonstrate their dedication to creating value beyond profit.

The Journey to B Corp Certification

The journey to B Corp Certification is a challenging one. Cottonique, through ELI, had to undergo a rigorous and comprehensive B Impact Assessment (BIA), which evaluates a company’s impact on workers, customers, community, environment, and governance. This assessment is a vital part of the B Corp certification process, and a company must score 80 points out of 200 to achieve certification.

ELI earned an Overall B Impact Score of 112.0, demonstrating our commitment to ethical practices and sustainable business. You can check this infographic for a detailed understanding of our impact assessment. Meanwhile, here’s an overview of the various impact areas:

  • Governance (13.8 points):
    This score reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical management. We have implemented clear policies prioritizing integrity and sustainability, ensuring responsible decision-making at every company level.
  • Workers (18.5 points):
    ELI’s score reflects our efforts to provide a safe, supportive work environment with fair wages and employee benefits. We value worker well-being and inclusivity, ensuring ethical treatment and empowerment throughout our supply chain.
  • Community (43.1 points):
    Our engagement with local and global communities is at the heart of this score. ELI supports fair, sustainable sourcing practices and regularly gives back through charitable efforts, contributing positively to the communities we touch.
  • Environment (32.7 points):
    ELI’s environmental impact score underscores our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and utilizing eco-friendly materials, like GOTS-certified organic cotton, as well as sustainable packaging practices and waste-reduction strategies.
  • Customers (3.6 points):
    This score highlights our commitment to providing high-quality, ethically produced, allergy-free clothing. We prioritize our customers’ health and well-being by offering safe products for sensitive skin produced sustainably and responsibly.

Indeed, earning an overall B Impact Score of 112.0 is an amazing feat. However, this is just the beginning. B Corp certification is not a one-time achievement—companies must re-certify every three years, continuously improving their impact to maintain this prestigious status.

This certification reaffirms our commitment to our core values: transparency, sustainability, and positive social and environmental impact. It also inspires us to keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible ethically and sustainably.

Why Did We Become a B Corp?

Our mission has always been to create allergy-free apparel and specialized clothing for people with unique needs that don’t compromise sustainability or ethics. Becoming a B Corp was a natural progression, aligning with our core values of transparency, accountability, and positive impact.

We believe businesses, especially in the fashion industry, can and should be a force for good—prioritizing people, the environment, and ethical practices over sheer profitability. Achieving this certification reaffirms our commitment to social and environmental responsibility, and we're proud to have you on this journey with us.

Cottonique’s Commitment to Ethical Manufacturing

At Cottonique, our dedication to ethical practices is visible in every process step. As a B Corp, we adhere to the highest standards of sustainable and responsible manufacturing, ensuring that everything from our materials to our production methods meets the most rigorous criteria.

  • Using Sustainable Materials: Our garments are made from GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton, ensuring our products are safe for sensitive skin and free from harmful chemicals. Our B Corp certification further emphasizes our commitment to sustainability, ensuring that we minimize waste and use eco-friendly production methods.
  • Reducing Environmental Impact: Our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint are at the core of our business. Whether through energy-efficient manufacturing processes, eco-friendly packaging, or waste reduction initiatives, we constantly seek ways to minimize our environmental impact.
  • Fair Labor Practices: We believe ethical clothing concerns the materials and the people behind them. Cottonique is dedicated to ensuring that all workers in our supply chain are treated fairly, provided with safe working conditions, and paid a living wage. Our B Corp status ensures that we meet these standards, ensuring fairness and respect are at the heart of our operations.
  • Advocating Transparency: One central tenet of being a B Corp is transparency. We are open about our supply chain, labor practices, and environmental goals, ensuring our customers can make informed choices. Every Cottonique product is assured that it was made responsibly, from start to finish.

What This Means for You

Our B Corp certification means that when you choose Cottonique, you support a brand fully committed to ethical production and sustainability. Your purchase from us is more than just a transaction—it’s a vote for a future where businesses are accountable for their social and environmental impact. B Corp certification is a testament to our commitment to doing business correctly. For you, it's a guarantee that your choice supports a company that prioritizes people and the planet over profits.

  • Ethical Production: Every step of our production process adheres to ethical standards, from the cotton we source to the garments we create. By choosing our clothing, you support safe working conditions and environmentally responsible practices.
  • Transparency: Our business practices are transparent and consistent with your values. You can trust that we genuinely want to do the right thing; that commitment is evident in everything we do.
  • Sustainable Innovation: We continuously strive to reduce our environmental footprint through innovative materials and sustainable practices. Your purchase contributes to a healthier planet and supports our mission to drive positive change.
  • Community Engagement: As a B Corp, we are more than just a brand. We actively engage in community development, environmental stewardship, and social equity initiatives. When you choose our products, you join us in making a difference.

Why Ethical Fashion Matters

The fashion industry has long faced criticism for unsustainable practices, from child labor to environmentally harmful production methods. At Cottonique, we are dedicated to changing this narrative. Our GOTS and B Corp certifications prove we’re working toward a fashion industry that values people, the planet, and the future.

Ethically-made clothing also offers a tangible solution to environmental challenges. Sustainable fashion uses fewer resources like water and energy and reduces waste and pollution. By supporting Cottonique, you are helping to reduce your carbon footprint and contributing to a more responsible fashion industry.

Our Promise to You

At Cottonique, we pledge to uphold the values of social and environmental responsibility as a Certified B Corporation. We will continue to innovate and push boundaries to offer products that are safe for your skin and good for the environment. We can create a future where fashion is ethical, sustainable, and inclusive.

Thank you for being a part of our journey toward a better world.