Help:Dimensions

Dimensions

Companies and brands are described using a consistent set of objective criteria we call "dimensions."

These dimensions offer a framework to help contributors organize content consistently across brand profiles. They are not rigid rules, and contributors are not required to use the exact headings or wording provided — as long as the intent and meaning of each section is preserved.

Not every profile needs to include all twelve dimensions. This is a living, collaborative directory. Add what you can — others may expand on your contributions over time.

Some overlap between dimensions is expected. For example, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) may appear in multiple sections, such as Social Impact, Leadership, or Labour Practices. Use your judgment to place content where it fits best, without being needlessly repetitive.

All content must be written in neutral, fact-based language. It should avoid promotional tone, speculation, or bias. All factual claims must be supported by credible and verifiable sources — ideally public, reliable, and independently verifiable.

The goal is editorial coherence and public trust. These guidelines will continue to evolve with input from the community.

The following definitions explain what each dimension means in practice, including the types of data and behaviour we aim to document.

Ownership and Jurisdiction of Corporate Control

• Country of origin and where the ultimate parent company is headquartered, including whether the company is registered in a tax haven, known for political instability, or subject to foreign sanctions.
• National distribution of major shareholders or controlling interests, with an emphasis on transparency around private equity, state ownership, or foreign sovereign wealth fund involvement.
• Reinvestment in the local economy, such as through domestic R&D, capital expenditures, or sourcing from regional suppliers.
• Degree to which products are manufactured within the region where they are sold, as opposed to being imported from abroad, with consideration for local economic impact, job creation, and transportation-related emissions.
• Consideration of geopolitical conduct, including the parent jurisdiction's record on human rights, labour standards, democratic institutions, trade practices, and military aggression.
• Disclosure of beneficial ownership structures and clarity around corporate control, especially in cases involving subsidiaries, shell companies, or complex international holding structures.

Social Impact, Inclusion, and Public Engagement

• Support for human rights and fair treatment of employees, customers, and communities, including policies aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
• Involvement in social justice initiatives such as LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, Indigenous reconciliation, gender equity, and disability rights.
• Charitable giving and community partnerships, including matching donation programs, philanthropic grants, and employee volunteerism.
• Ethical marketing and advertising practices, with attention to representation, consent, and the avoidance of misleading claims.
• Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), including formalized EDI strategies, transparent reporting on representation, and integration of inclusive practices across hiring, promotion, and governance.
• Engagement with vulnerable or marginalized populations in both policy development and product/service design.
• Participation in global or national social responsibility benchmarks, such as the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark (CHRB) or the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

Environmental Sustainability and Climate Impact

• Measurement and reduction of carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions across direct operations, logistics, and supply chains.
• Use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, or certified green power, and reporting on percentage of energy mix.
• Comprehensive waste reduction programs including landfill diversion targets, zero-waste certifications, and investment in closed-loop manufacturing or circular economy models.
• Sustainable sourcing of raw materials, with verification through third-party standards (e.g., Rainforest Alliance, FSC, RSPO) and prioritization of recycled or regenerative inputs.
• Attainment of environmental certifications and adherence to voluntary frameworks such as B Corp, LEED, CarbonNeutral, ISO 14001, or Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
• Disclosure of environmental impact data in annual sustainability or ESG reports, including goals, baselines, and year-over-year performance.
• Policies and practices to minimize ecological harm in areas such as water usage, biodiversity protection, chemical management, and packaging innovation.

Employment Practices and Working Conditions

• Provision of fair, living wages and comprehensive benefits (e.g., healthcare, parental leave, retirement plans), with third-party verification where applicable.
• Enforcement of robust occupational health and safety standards, compliance with national regulations, and investment in proactive injury and illness prevention programs.
• Recognition of unionization rights, freedom of association, and collective bargaining agreements across operations, including supplier relationships.
• Evaluation of working conditions in all facilities, both domestic and offshore, including protections for seasonal, migrant, or subcontracted labour.
• Strict policies prohibiting forced labour, debt bondage, human trafficking, and child labour, with supply chain auditing and remediation mechanisms in place.
• Availability of grievance mechanisms and whistleblower protections to address workplace abuse, discrimination, or retaliation.
• Transparency in workforce reporting, such as employee turnover, wage gaps, and incidents of labour violations, disclosed through ESG or impact reports.

Supply Chain Integrity and Disclosure

• Public disclosure of suppliers and sourcing regions, including names of key manufacturers, tiered supply chain structures, and geographic sourcing maps.
• Traceability of raw materials from origin to finished product, using batch tracking systems, blockchain verification, or third-party traceability frameworks.
• Regular auditing and monitoring of supply chain practices, either internally or through independent organizations, with publication of summary findings and follow-up actions.
• Accountability mechanisms for violations, including contract enforcement, corrective action plans, supplier remediation support, and consequences for repeat non-compliance.
• Supplier code of conduct requirements covering labour, environmental, and ethical standards, with mandatory sign-on and training programs.
• Assessment of risk exposure in sourcing regions, such as prevalence of forced labour, environmental degradation, or political instability, and how risks are mitigated.
• Participation in industry-wide transparency or ethical sourcing initiatives (e.g., Open Supply Hub, Ethical Trading Initiative, Fair Trade certification programs).

Animal Ethics and Welfare Standards

• Use of animal testing or validated alternatives, including company-wide bans, exceptions for legal compliance, or investment in cruelty-free innovation.
• Ethical treatment of animals in sourcing, such as the use of certified cage-free eggs, pasture-raised livestock, and humane slaughter practices, where applicable.
• Support for animal welfare organizations or causes through direct donations, collaborative campaigns, or in-kind contributions.
• Transparency in labelling and claims related to animal welfare, including clear use of terms like "cruelty-free," "vegan," or "not tested on animals," with third-party verification where possible.
• Adherence to recognized animal welfare certifications such as Leaping Bunny, Certified Humane, Global Animal Partnership, or local equivalents.
• Company policies on the use of animal-derived ingredients or materials (e.g., wool, leather, gelatin) and efforts to transition to ethical or plant-based alternatives.
• Public stance on controversial practices such as fur farming, live animal exports, or the use of exotic animal materials, including any phase-out commitments or position statements.

Diversity in Leadership

• Gender and racial diversity in executive, board, and senior leadership positions, with year-over-year tracking and benchmarking.
• Representation in mid-level management, pipeline roles, and key decision-making bodies, including succession planning strategies.
• Formal policies promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), with clear governance structures, accountability mechanisms, and leadership performance metrics.
• Public EDI reports and progress updates that include disaggregated demographic data, equity targets, and independent reviews.
• Inclusion of disability, neurodivergence, and other historically underrepresented identities, with targeted recruitment and support programs.
• Transparency around executive pay equity, leadership development access, and promotion rates by identity group.
• Board diversity charters or mandates that align with regional or industry-specific standards (e.g., 30% Club, NASDAQ board rules, Canadian Board Diversity Policy).

Responsible Tax Conduct and Compliance

• Tax transparency, including country-by-country reporting of tax payments, deferred liabilities, and effective tax rates.
• Disclosure of corporate tax strategies and governance structures related to taxation, including oversight by audit or ethics committees.
• Identification and scrutiny of the use of tax havens, special purpose entities, or artificial profit-shifting mechanisms.
• Compliance with domestic tax laws and international standards such as OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) guidelines.
• Public reporting on alignment with responsible tax principles, such as the B Team’s Responsible Tax Principles or Fair Tax Foundation standards.
• Contribution to public services through timely and appropriate tax payments that reflect actual economic activity in each jurisdiction.
• Avoidance of exploitative tax rulings, loopholes, or settlements that undermine fair taxation in host countries.

Civic Partnerships and Regional Development

• Investment in local infrastructure, education, public health, transportation, or digital access projects, especially in underserved regions.
• Hiring from and sourcing within local communities, with a focus on economic inclusion, skills development, and long-term job creation.
• Partnerships with local non-profits, co-operatives, Indigenous organizations, and community-led enterprises to support culturally relevant and regionally responsive programming.
• In-kind contributions such as product donations, volunteer hours, or use of facilities to benefit community initiatives.
• Engagement with community advisory boards, resident consultations, or participatory budgeting processes to shape investment priorities.
• Response to community needs during crises (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics, displacement), including emergency relief funding and logistical support.
• Measurement and reporting of community impact outcomes, such as improvements in wellbeing, employment, or access to services, often aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Political Contributions, Affiliations, and Oversight

• Disclosure of political contributions at all levels, including direct donations to candidates, parties, and ballot initiatives, and whether contributions are made in the company’s name or through PACs or trade associations.
• Transparent reporting on lobbying expenditures and topics, including positions taken on specific legislation, regulatory issues, and whether lobbying aligns with public sustainability or rights commitments.
• Disclosure of public policy stances, including alignment or conflict between the company’s operations and its publicly stated values on climate action, human rights, or economic justice.
• Support for candidates or parties aligned with or opposed to consumer and stakeholder values, with explanation of how endorsements or contributions are evaluated and approved.
• Membership in or financial support of third-party groups (e.g., chambers of commerce, think tanks, lobbying coalitions), including where such groups have taken controversial or contradictory public positions.
• Policies governing political engagement, including board oversight, employee participation, and restrictions on dark money channels or influence operations.
• Participation in voluntary political transparency initiatives or adherence to frameworks such as the CPA-Zicklin Index, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), or OpenSecrets disclosures.

Data Stewardship and Privacy Standards

• Transparency in data collection, storage, retention, and usage, including disclosures on what data is collected, for what purpose, and how long it is retained.
• Consumer control over personal data through opt-in/opt-out mechanisms, accessible privacy settings, and user-friendly consent frameworks.
• Public reporting of any history of data breaches, leaks, or misuse, with details on scope, regulatory response, and remedial actions taken.
• Ethical AI practices that include explainability, fairness, bias mitigation, and human oversight in algorithmic decision-making.
• Policies and disclosures related to third-party data sharing, including involvement in data broker networks, adtech systems, or cross-platform surveillance.
• Implementation of privacy-by-design principles in product and system architecture.
• Compliance with relevant privacy laws and standards (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, PIPEDA), and participation in voluntary certifications or audits.
• Board-level or senior leadership accountability for privacy and data ethics, with dedicated roles or committees overseeing compliance and innovation risks.

Product Safety, Durability and Quality

• Adherence to national and international safety regulations, industry-specific standards, and voluntary quality certifications (e.g., ISO 9001, CE, UL).
• Frequency, scope, and transparency of product recalls, including response time, root cause analysis, and remediation efforts.
• Rigorous product testing protocols for safety, durability, toxicology, and user hazards, including third-party lab verification where applicable.
• Commitment to high product performance, reliability, and lifecycle quality, including tracking of defect rates and return rates.
• Availability of repair services, spare parts, and support documentation, and avoidance of design features that contribute to premature obsolescence.
• Consumer feedback channels, complaint resolution systems, and transparency in product review moderation.
• Initiatives promoting sustainable product design, such as modular construction, recyclable materials, or environmental impact labelling.