A new initiative co-founded by Dr. Bronner's is pushing organic and natural products companies to prove their commitment to environmental and social responsibility through multiple certifications and transparent reporting. The Purpose Pledge, launched in spring 2025, now includes 16 companies, including organic cereal maker Nature's Path and mate beverage producer Yerba Madre, with a goal to reach 25 members by the end of 2026 . Unlike the USDA organic certification that focuses solely on farming practices, this program requires participants to demonstrate how their entire business operationalizes values like living wages, climate action, and waste reduction.

What Is the Purpose Pledge and Why Does It Matter?

The Purpose Pledge was created by Dr. Bronner's after the company stepped away from its long-time commitment to the Certified B Corp label. The initiative, run by consulting firm Lift Economy and nonprofit One Step Closer, requires participating companies to adopt 10 principles that go far beyond organic agriculture . These commitments include establishing a living wage plan, implementing strict environmental standards for production, and pledging to donate either 1 percent of annual revenue or 10 percent of net profits to philanthropy.

What sets this initiative apart is its emphasis on operationalization.

"The operationalization of purpose is really what all of this comes down to. It's not about intention, it's about how we operationalize," said Les Szabo, chief strategy and impact officer at Dr. Bronner's and board chair of the Purpose Pledge.

Les Szabo, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at Dr. Bronner's

In other words, companies must show concrete evidence that their business processes actually support their stated values, not just claim to care about them.

How Are Companies Proving Their Commitments?

Participating companies must publish a three-year timeline of individual goals and disclose progress toward them, often through separate certifications that can cost thousands of dollars to obtain . The initiative added seven organizations, called "Commitment Catalysts," to help participating companies validate their progress independently and stress test their processes.

For many participants, organic agriculture certifications are already in place, but other commitments require significant new investment.

"In terms of learning, it's clear that living wage, supply chain, climate and zero waste practices are areas with more complexity to them," explained Les Szabo.

Les Szabo, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at Dr. Bronner's

Yerba Madre, for example, has earned its first regenerative organic recognition and a "Fair for Life" badge, which certifies products based on ethical labor practices and fair wages . However, the company is still building waste management and operational sustainability measures into supplier contracts with financial incentives.

Steps to Understanding Purpose-Driven Certifications

• Regenerative Organic Alliance Certification: This certification costs thousands of dollars and verifies that ingredients are grown using regenerative farming practices that improve soil health and sequester carbon, going beyond standard organic requirements.
• Fair for Life Badge: This certification, earned by companies like Yerba Madre, certifies products based on ethical labor practices and fair wages throughout the supply chain, ensuring workers are paid living wages.
• TRUE Certification: The Total Resource Use and Efficiency certification from the Green Business Certification organization starts at $4,000 per facility and validates waste reduction and resource management practices.

What's the Cost of Going Beyond Organic?

Investing in these additional certifications can be expensive, particularly for small companies. Lisa Curtis, co-founder and CEO of nutritional supplement company Kuli Kuli Foods, which has just 10 full-time employees, noted that obtaining certifications requires significant spending on applications, consulting, and audits . For example, the TRUE certification from the Green Business Certification organization starts at $4,000 per facility, and certifying ingredients with the Regenerative Organic Alliance costs thousands of dollars .

Despite the financial burden, Curtis emphasized that these investments are worthwhile for establishing sound environmental and ethical practices.

"It is motivating to our entire team to feel like the work we are doing is having a positive impact," Curtis said.

Lisa Curtis, Co-founder and CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods

Dr. Bronner's itself is investing in certifications to develop its living wage policy along with its materials reuse and waste management practices, demonstrating that even established companies recognize the value of these commitments .

The Purpose Pledge represents a shift in how conscious consumers can evaluate companies beyond the USDA organic label. While organic certification ensures that food is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, the Purpose Pledge requires companies to prove they're also paying workers fairly, managing waste responsibly, and taking climate action. For consumers who care about the full picture of how their food is produced and who benefits from their purchases, these additional certifications offer transparency and accountability that goes significantly deeper than organic alone.