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Global standards

There is growing demand for businesses that put people and planet first.

But it can be hard to tell the real thing from marketing hype.

To help change this, People and Planet First global verification sets five clear minimum standards for social enterprise.

No greenwashing. No social washing. Just businesses that put people and planet first.

The five global standards make clear what a social enterprise is - providing a simple and transparent framework recognised worldwide.  

They outline that social enterprises do five things:

  • Exist to solve a social or environmental problem

  • Prioritise purpose, people, and planet over profit in operational decisions 

  • Have a self-sustaining revenue model

  • Reinvest the majority of any surplus towards their purpose

  • Choose legal structures and financing that protect and lock-in purpose long term.

All social enterprise peak bodies in Australia endorse the global standards. We endorse the standards because they are: 

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    Independent:

    No single organisation sets the standards and verifies social enterprises - they are collectively owned by a global network.

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    Clear:

    They set the bar on what a social enterprise is, in a way that is visible and easy to understand.

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    Global:

    The standards cross borders and mean recognition and opportunities within and beyond Australia.

Download the standards