Process
Your time is valuable, so the BC Green Business Verification Team provides approachable support to enhance your business’ environmental and social performance while keeping the certification process streamlined.
Fill out our new member form to tell us about your business. We’ll review this and set up a site visit (in-person or virtual) with one of our Verifiers.
If necessary, a Verifier will provide you with a site visit preparation form. Gather all necessary info and send it to the Verifier prior to the site visit or have it on-hand for the day of the site visit. This helps us ensure a thorough assessment of your operations.
Payment is required prior to your site visit.
Click on your industry to see the checklist the verifier will use: Fleets, Food & Beverage Producers, Grocery Stores, Home-Based Businesses, Offices, Restaurants & Cafés, Retail, Spas & Salons.
Have a Verifier conduct a site visit either in-person or virtually. Site visits usually take 1 to 2.5 hours depending on the size and sector of your business.
Our Verifier will provide you with suggested actions and resources to improve your environmental and social performance and give you 2-3 weeks to take action.
Follow up with your Verifier and provide an update on the newly implemented actions your business has taken to improve your score.
The Verifier will finalize your certification, accounting for the changes you’ve made. You will receive your final score, certification level, digital decals, a physical certificate, window decals, environmental metrics, and more!
We will add you to our website directory and promote your business through social media, newsletters, word of mouth, and wherever else we get the chance.
Use your certification and the marketing assets we provide to spread the word of your businesses accomplishments!
Businesses certify Silver, Gold, or Green based on how many actions they complete from the corresponding sector specific criteria. When a business certifies Green for 3+ consecutive years they will be eligible to enter the Green Leaders program. Green Leaders are assessed every 2 years for active membership.
As part of our partnership with Surfrider Foundation Canada, businesses in regions with active Surfrider Foundation chapters will have the opportunity to certify as an additional Ocean Friendly Business. For every certified Ocean Friendly Business, $25 is donated to Surfrider Foundation. To certify as an Ocean Friendly Business, the business must complete all Ocean Friendly Business action points from the checklist that they’re assessed with and be located on Vancouver Island, Vancouver or the Pacific Rim region.