Last September Havas won the Shell global media account and shortly thereafter a watchdog group called Clean Creatives coordinated a demand by 26 advertising and communications agencies that B Lab strip B Corp status from agencies working with fossil fuel companies and other major environmental polluters.
It noted that several Havas-owned agencies with B Corp status will be working on the Shell account.
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The assignment took effect on Jan. 1 and now B Lab confirms that it has launched a formal inquiry into the matter.
In response to a query a representative for B Lab responded that “The main allegations and concerns to be investigated are:
Whether the addition of new clients in controversial industries impacts Havas’s compliance with limits on such clients
Whether there are indications of possible inaccuracies or misrepresentations in the statements made by the company during the certification process
Possible breaches of the B Corp Community core values
Additional allegations or issues that arise throughout the investigation process.”
Possible outcomes of the probe include certification revocation or suspension, although B Lab stressed that it could also decide to uphold Havas’ certification, depending on what it finds during the course of the investigation.
Four Havas agencies with B Corp status will be investigated separately, including offices in New York, London, the Netherlands and Indonesia.
“The Complaint Process is an accountability mechanism B Lab employs as a part of the B Corp Certification and is designed to recognize a variety of issues that should be considered as part of a company’s certification eligibility. We aim to conclude formal investigations within 90 days. This minimum amount of time is critical to ensure a thorough and objective process and arrive at a fair decision.”
The rep said B Lab hopes to wrap up the entire process by June 30.