Mission-driven company

Mission-driven company: definition

Have you ever wondered what a mission-driven company really is? Since the PACTE law of 2019, this legal status has allowed French companies to clearly display their desire to reconcile economic performance with social or environmental commitment. In other words, they are no longer content with simply "making money"; they seek to have a positive impact on society. 

In short, a mission-driven company acts for the common good. It makes a public and lasting commitment to addressing the challenges of our time, such as ecological transition, social justice and local development, while growing its business.

What are the characteristics of a mission-driven company?

Adopting the status of a mission-driven company means making a deep commitment to a structured, demanding and transparent approach. What are the key elements that make up this approach? 

The raison d'être 

The purpose is the compass of the mission-driven company. It expresses the "why" of its existence, its contribution to the common good. This purpose is written in black and white in the articles of association, which legally commits the company to respect it.

Social and environmental objectives 

A mission-driven company must also define concrete objectives aligned with its purpose. These may be environmental or social objectives. These objectives guide the company's actions at the operational level:  

• Improving quality of life at work;
• Supporting the development of the local and solidarity economy;
• Combat discrimination and inequality;
• Retain talent and build trust with employees;
• Combating waste and digital pollution;
• Adopting a responsible purchasing policy with committed suppliers. 

Monitoring with a mission committee 

To verify that commitments are being met, a mission committee has been set up. It is composed of members from both inside and outside the company. Their role? To monitor, advise and alert if necessary. It is a supervisory body, but also a driver of continuous improvement within the mission-driven company. 

Verification of commitments by an independent body

One of the specific features of mission-driven company status is the obligation to be accountable. To ensure the objectivity of this assessment, regular verification is carried out by an Independent Third Party (ITP). 

The ITO's role is to verify whether the company is actually meeting the social and environmental objectives set out in its articles of association. This verification is carried out through internal audits, analysis of strategic documents (such as the mission committee report) and site visits. 

The first verification takes place within 18 months of the mission statement for companies with more than 50 employees, and within 24 months for those with fewer than 50 employees. Subsequently, an inspection must take place at least every two years, or every three years for smaller organisations, if they so request. The mission-driven company chooses the ITP itself, for an initial maximum term of six years, renewable once.

The governance body 

Finally, the governance body (often the board of directors) plays a central role in mission-driven companies. It ensures that the mission is integrated at all levels of decision-making. This implies consistency between strategy, management and operational actions.

Purpose-driven companies vs. B Corp certification: what are the differences? 

The concepts of mission-driven companies and B Corp certification are often mentioned when discussing social and environmental commitments. Although they share common goals, there are notable differences between them in terms of legal framework, commitments and recognition. 

Status and regulatory framework

The mission-driven company is a French legal status established by the PACTE law in 2019. It allows a company to include in its articles of association a purpose and social and environmental objectives that it undertakes to pursue. This approach is legally regulated in France and is legally binding on the company. 

B Corp certification is an international private certification issued by the American NGO B Lab. It certifies that a company meets standards in terms of social and environmental performance, transparency and responsibility. This certification has no legal value in France but offers international recognition. 

Objectives and commitments 

A mission-driven company defines a specific purpose and social and environmental objectives, which are enshrined in its articles of association. It must set up a mission committee responsible for monitoring the achievement of these objectives and publish an annual report on the progress of its mission. 

With B Corp certification, the company is assessed in five areas: governance, employees, community, environment and customers. It must obtain a minimum score of 80 points out of 200 on the B Impact Assessment to be certified. 

The certification and assessment process 

For a mission-driven company:  

1. Definition of a purpose and social and environmental objectives
2. Amend the articles of association to incorporate these elements
3. Establishment of a mission committee responsible for monitoring
4. Assessment by an Independent Third Party Organisation (ITP) at least every two years to verify that the objectives have been achieved 

For B Corp-certified companies:  

1. Completion of the B Impact Assessment
2. Achievement of a minimum score of 80 points out of 200
3. Amendment of the articles of association to include consideration of stakeholders
4. Verification by B Lab and recertification every three years 

Recognition and corporate image 

The status of mission-driven company is legally recognised in France, strengthening the company's credibility with stakeholders at the national level. It demonstrates a strong commitment to societal and environmental objectives. 

The B Corp label is internationally recognised, promoting the company within a global community. It offers visibility and can facilitate access to foreign markets that are sensitive to CSR issues. 

Financing  

Mission-driven companies attract investors who are sensitive to social and environmental commitments, particularly impact investment funds. The legal status can reassure financiers about the sustainability of the commitment. It also increases the possibilities for financing from the State, particularly subsidies. 

B Corp certification can attract international investors and funds dedicated to responsible companies worldwide. 

Mission-driven company: more than a label, a structuring commitment 

This table compares two recognised approaches: the status of mission-driven company, enshrined in French law, and B Corp certification, which is international in scope. 

While B Corp certification is an excellent indicator of responsible commitment, it remains an external and one-off recognition. Conversely, mission-driven company status is part of the very DNA of the organisation. It is not just another label, but a fundamental, structuring and lasting choice, enshrined in the articles of association and monitored by dedicated bodies. 

Mission-driven companies profoundly transform the way decisions are made, projects are managed, people collaborate and innovation occurs. They engage the entire organisation, from the executive committee to the teams on the ground, in a clear, committed and measurable social project. They work on a daily basis to combine economic utility and positive impact with rigour, transparency and consistency.

What are Upcoop's missions? 

We have always placed people, the community and social progress at the heart of our decisions. Our purpose is based on five main pillars that structure our CSR approach and our strategic plan. 

Governance, a democratic and participatory model

We uphold the democratic values of the social and solidarity economy both internally and externally. Our parent company is a cooperative society of committed employees, and our employee-members own 100% of the capital and elect their board of directors. One person = one vote. It's simple, fair and deeply rooted in the culture of our mission-driven company. 

We have set up a mission committee to ensure consistency between our strategic decisions and our mission. All our subsidiaries now include employee representatives in their governance. 

Social, social dialogue and attractive working conditions 

We believe that employee engagement requires respectful and stimulating working conditions. Teleworking, the right to disconnect, a gym, a solidarity fund, solidarity leave, company crèches: we are implementing concrete solutions to improve the quality of life at work within our mission-driven company. 

We invest in training, inclusion and the fight against discrimination, and we have signed an ambitious professional equality agreement. Our employees are also trained in CSR and the climate emergency: 1,650 have already participated in the Fresque du Climat (Climate Collage) initiative. 

Society, solidarity and proximity at the heart of our concerns 

We support the most vulnerable in France and in 14 other countries through our corporate foundation. Since 2017, more than 80 solidarity projects have been funded. We take action to promote access to food, housing, healthcare and education. Our partnerships (Action contre la Faim, Bleu-Blanc-Cœur, La Tablée des Chefs, Le Rire Médecin, Les P’tits Doudous, ANLCI) give meaning to our actions. 

We are also signatories to the Responsible Purchasing Charter and set responsible purchasing objectives by including social clauses in our contracts. 

Economic, an alliance of purchasing power and responsible consumption

Our many solutions, such as the déjeuner Upcoop meal voucher and Cadhoc Upcoop gift vouchers, give everyone the means to consume better. We have launched the "Acting together for more responsible consumption" programme and are developing practical tools, such as the "Consume responsibly" filter in our Store Locator, to enable consumers to locate responsible businesses in their area. 

Environmental, supporting the ecological transition 

Protecting the environment is one of our mission-driven company's ambitions. We measure our carbon footprint every year across scopes 1, 2 and 3, and have already committed €20 million to socially responsible investments (SRI). Our sites are powered by renewable energy and the paper used for our cheques comes from sustainably managed forests. 

Our offerings include: a carbon calculator, anti-waste solutions, responsible consumption filters... all tools designed to help our users embrace the transition.

Each pillar is broken down into operational objectives that we document and share with our mission committee. Because at Upcoop, being a mission-driven company is not a fixed status: it is a living dynamic, built collectively, day after day. 

Why choose Upcoop, a cooperative society of employees (Scop) and mission-driven company? 

For Upcoop, being a mission-driven company is a way of acting, of designing our relationships, our offerings and our choices. 

The first mission-driven Scop in France 

In January 2023, we became the first cooperative and participatory society (Scop) with a mission. Our raison d'être, "Cooperating sustainably for purchasing power with social and local utility," is the result of the collective work of our employees and reflects the history, utility, and ambition of a group that campaigns to promote access to healthier food, culture, and leisure activities for all, as well as responsible consumption. 

Solutions tailored to the needs of our customers, partners and beneficiaries 

We offer solutions to address the challenges of purchasing power, well-being and social ties: meal vouchers, gift vouchers, culture and reading vouchers, multi-benefit cards, ticketing, CSE management services, etc. There is something for everyone and every taste! 

Solutions with a strong social and environmental impact 

Our vouchers and services are levers for inclusion, solidarity and ecological transition. We support local consumption, culture for all, sustainable food, access to leisure activities, and more. We offer payment solutions and services with social and local utility that give companies, works councils, associations, local authorities and public authorities the means to improve the purchasing power and quality of life of employees and populations at the heart of their territories. 

Cooperation that combines humanity and efficiency 

By choosing the mission-driven company Upcoop, our customers and partners benefit from a genuinely human relationship based on strong values of solidarity, cooperation and respect. Our employee-members are committed, motivated and responsive. They share the same ambition: collective success. We support our customers through change with scalable solutions, innovative tools and end-to-end support.