Patagonia Earns B Corporation Certification

VENTURA, Calif., Jan 17, 2011 – Today, Patagonia earned certification as a B Corporation, joining more than 500 leading businesses from 60 industries that share a common goal to redefine success in business. Certification follows Patagonia’s filing to become one of California’s first Benefit Corporations on January 4th, 2012.

“Patagonia’s strives not only to make the best product, but to build the best company,” said Jay Coen Gilbert, co founder of B Lab, the non-profit organization that certifies B Corporations. “Earning certification as a B Corporation, demonstrates that Patagonia is succeeding in their efforts not only to be the best in the world at what they do, but to be the best for the world in how they do it.”

Certified B Corporations meet rigorous, independent, and transparent standards of social and environmental performance. B Lab certifies sustainable businesses as the U.S. Green Building Council certifies green buildings, or Fair Trade USA certifies fair trade coffee.

“I learned at an early age that it’s better to invent your own game; then you can always be a winner,” said Patagonia’s founder Yvon Chouinard. “B Corps have invented their own game of business, a game in which the rules are no longer about maximizing value for shareholders, but about maximizing value for society. By playing this new game, and inspiring others to join us, we all win.”

“Registering as a benefit corporation enabled Patagonia to meet the legal requirements for certification and gave us a tool to maintain Patagonia’s stewardship over time,” said Casey Sheahan, President of Patagonia. “Joining the growing community of Certified B Corps gives us a platform to leverage Patagonia’s leadership beyond the outdoor and apparel industries.”

About Patagonia:
Patagonia, Inc., based in Ventura, California, is a leading designer of core outdoor, surf and sport-related apparel, equipment, footwear and accessories. With sales last year of $414M, the company is noted internationally for its commitment to authentic product quality and environmental activism, contributing over $43M in cash and in-kind donations to date. Incorporating environmental responsibility into product development, the company has, since 1996, used only organically grown cotton in its clothing line. Committed to making its products landfill-free, the company’s entire product line is recyclable thorough its Common Threads Initiative. The company also advocates corporate transparency through its interactive website, The Footprint Chronicles, which outlines the environmental and social footprint of individual products. Patagonia was featured as The Coolest Company on the Planet on Fortune Magazine’s April 2007 cover.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jen Rapp, Patgagonia, 805-667-4768, jen_rapp@patagonia.com