Ricola, the Swiss-based herb drop manufacturer, has reached an important milestone on its sustainability journey as it becomes a certified B Corporation™. The announcement, made today (4th March, 2024), reflects Ricola’s longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, in line with its values as a family-owned enterprise.
As a B Corporation, Ricola has been verified by non-profit organization B Lab as meeting high standards in the areas of social and environmental impact, responsible company practices, and public transparency.
This achievement is built on the company’s foundation of respect for the Swiss Alpine ecosystems that produce the herbs for its products. Ricola has long understood sustainability as a core business principle and strives to preserve and nurture these ecosystems and their biodiversity through practices such as organic herb cultivation and environmentally sound product manufacturing.
Thomas P. Meier, CEO of Ricola, states, “We owe everything to nature. Becoming a B Corporation aligns with our identity as a family-owned company and our dedication to connecting people with nature. It’s about balancing our ambitions for growth with our responsibilities to the planet and its people.”
Jonathan Normand, Founder and CEO of B Lab Switzerland, adds, “B Lab Switzerland Foundation is truly honored to welcome Ricola into the B Corp movement. As an iconic Swiss company with nearly a century of unwavering commitment to nature and communities, Ricola embodies the principles of using business as a force for good. Their dedication to resiliency and sustainability leadership is exemplary.”
Ricola’s sustainability strategy focuses on six core areas: agriculture principles, waste management, packaging innovation, climate change mitigation, water conservation, and ethical sourcing. The company has set quantitative targets for each area and implements annual “footsteps” – actionable steps to achieve these targets. These efforts are managed across the Ricola Group, with each part of the company playing a role in the collective journey towards sustainability.
In addition to meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, Ricola has committed to continuous improvements towards recertification every three years as a B Corporation. The company also plans to report on its sustainability progress biennially using globally recognized key figures according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines.
Ricola’s initial sustainability report for 2022 is available for download on the company’s website. The company’s commitment to sustainability is also reflected in its long-term purchase agreements with around 85 farmers in Swiss mountain regions, as well as its status as a responsible employer.
For more information, please contact:
Ricola Group Ltd.
Corporate Communications
Baselstrasse 31
4242 Laufen
Ph. +41 (0)61 765 41 21
media@ricola.com
Foundation B Lab Switzerland
Press & Media Team
Rue de Lyon 77
1203 Geneva
media@blab-switzerland.ch
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.