The B Corp certification is verified by non-profit network B Lab, which assesses the social and environmental impact of each brand with more than 200 questions, covering governance, employees, communities and the environment. 

"We are honoured to be the first producers in Champagne to achieve Certified B Corporation status and are fully committed to B Lab's vision of working towards an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economic system," EPI Group's Wine and Champagne division president Damien Lafaurie said. "We hope to inspire others in the wine industry to join the cause!"

To achieve B Corp Certification, a company must meet a score of at least 80 points on the B Impact Assessment. Champagnes Piper-Heidsieck, Charles Heidsieck & Rare Champagne, part of the EPI stable along with Italian wineries Isole e Olena and Biondi-Santi, achieved 91.9 points.

Concrete initiatives by the Champagne houses:

• Integrating a purpose in the status of the company, and becoming therefore a benefit corporation aiming to create a material positive impact on society and the environment
• Reducing the carbon footprint in line with the Paris climate agreement by 61% in absolute on scope 1 and 2 and by 46% in intensity per bottle produced on scope 3 by 2030 by joining the Science-Based Targets initiative and achieving net-zero carbon well before 2050
• Launching a drastic energy saving programme (-40% by 2025), completely eliminating the use of fossil fuels in production activities, and using 100% renewable electricity
• Moving 100% of suppliers to Europe by 2030
• Continuing sustainable environmental practices in their owned vineyards. The Houses use zero herbicides, zero pesticides, zero chemicals to treat rot, and zero CMR products. They also advocate the use of organic amendments, vitiforestry and initiatives that promote biodiversity in the vineyards.
• Supporting the VDC (Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne) conversion of all winegrower partners by 2025
• Introducing sustainable development objectives for every employee to accelerate the spread of best practices in all sectors and levels of the company
• A continued commitment to gender parity at every level of the organisation
• Encouraging a wide variety of employees by focusing on inclusion and the hiring of young talent from diverse backgrounds, as well as supporting “Nos Quartiers ont des Talents”.

There are more than 5,000 B Corps spread across 80 countries and 155 industries, according to the B Lab website.