Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium, 07 June 2021 – IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A., EURONEXT), the world leader in particle accelerator technology, announced today that it has been certified as a B Corporation (or B Corp). IBA joins a community of around 4,000 businesses globally, that promote strong values of change, making companies "a force for good" and highlighting those that reconcile profit with societal purpose. The B Corps are part of a movement to transform businesses to contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive economy and society.
The B Corp certification has been awarded to IBA by B Lab, the non-profit organization behind the B Corp movement worldwide. The rigorous assessment of the company's business model and operations demonstrated that IBA meets some of the highest environmental, transparency and social responsibility standards. This prestigious label, internationally recognized as one of the most comprehensive and demanding in its field, attests to IBA's effective commitment to objectives that are aimed at both the collective interest and shareholder profit. The performance is particularly remarkable for an international industrial company of IBA's size. The community of 4,000 B Corps worldwide, which includes many reputable companies such as Patagonia, Triodos Bank, Alpro, Chiesi Group, Alessi and Ben & Jerry's, comprises of only 24 stock listed companies.
The B Corp certification process covered all of IBA's activities and assessed five main areas of impact: governance, workers, community, environment and customers. The company was able to demonstrate socially and environmentally responsible practices in the areas of energy, health, welfare, compensation, diversity, transparency and more. IBA obtained a score of 90 points, 10 points higher than the reference score of 80, required for certification. In accordance with B Lab requirements, IBA has also modified its articles of Association to formally integrate its commitment to consider the consequences of its activities and the interests of all stakeholders (patients, shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, the community, the planet, etc.) in social, economic, legal, societal and environmental areas.
Olivier Legrain, CEO of IBA, commented: "We are proud of this recognition, which is the culmination of a long process that involved all aspects of the company. However, certification is not an end in itself. It is only the starting point of a new approach which was already present in our culture but which will now take on a whole new dimension. With the assessment that led to our B Corp certification, we have identified the points that we can work to improve upon. This is just the beginning. "
Hubertine Roessingh, Managing Director of B Lab Benelux, said: "We are delighted to welcome IBA to the B Corp family. The company's reputation, the nature of its industrial activities and its specificities in terms of size, geographical reach, as well as the fact that it is listed on the stock exchange, constitute a real contribution to the Belgian and international B Corp community. Their commitment to doing business differently will undoubtedly inspire others and help spread the idea that the success of companies is measured just as much by their impact on people and the planet as by their profits.”
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About IBA
IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) is the world leader in particle accelerator technology. The company is the leading supplier of equipment and services in the field of proton therapy, considered to be the most advanced form of radiation therapy available today. IBA is also a leading player in the fields of industrial sterilization, radiopharmaceuticals and dosimetry. The company, based in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, employs approximately 1,500 people worldwide.
IBA is listed on the pan-European stock exchange EURONEXT (IBA: Reuters IBAB.BR and Bloomberg IBAB.BB).
More information can be found at: www.iba-worldwide.com
About B Lab
B Lab is transforming the economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, our global network creates standards, policies, and tools for business, and we certify companies—known as B Corps—who are leading the way. To date, our global community includes over 3,900 B Corps in 74 countries and 150 industries, and over 100,000 companies manage their impact with the B Impact Assessment and the SDG Action Manager. There are currently over 600 certified B Corps in Europe, more than 130 in the Benelux, including 20 in Belgium.
More information can be found at: www.bcorporation.eu
CONTACTS
IBA - Olivier Lechien B Lab Europe
Corporate Communication Director +31 20 737 0269
+32 10 475 890 benelux@bcorporation.eu
communication@iba-group.com