Why become an accredited social enterprise?

Key benefits of achieving accreditation for your social enterprise

Benefits of accreditation: credibility

Benefits of accreditation: differentiation

Benefits of accreditation: prove your social impact

Benefits of accreditation: validation/assurance

Benefits of accreditation: business development

Benefits of accreditation: get noticed


Prove your social enterprise credentials, by submitting to the scrutiny of a rigorous external assessment process. With annual reviews, you can engage with and assure stakeholders that you are operating ethically, commercially and upholding sector-agreed standards.

The Social Enterprise Mark is the only accreditation to independently assess organisations against sector-agreed criteria to provide a guarantee of a commitment to trading for the primary benefit of people and planet. 


We offer tailored support and guidance to applicants and renewing Mark holders in articulating their social impact. We provide detailed guidance in responding to how your organisation meets Criterion F of the Social Enterprise Mark:

Our social impact questions are designed to help you think about the social impact you create, and to communicate this clearly and succinctly. We also create a Social Impact Declaration for all Mark holders, to summarise how you are striving to make a difference and standing up to scrutiny of purpose as a social enterprise. We also publish statements of how you commit to make a difference (social value).


Stand out from competitors, by demonstrating you have been externally scrutinised against robust accreditation criteria, and have proven that your organisation puts people and planet before the interests of shareholders.

Statistics from 2016 Social Enterprise Mark CIC stakeholder survey


Almost 3/4 of social enterprises use their social enterprise status in marketing their products and services* – the Social Enterprise Mark helps with this.

Create buyer/partner confidence – displaying the Social Enterprise Mark lets them know you are truly giving back for social good. 

*2019  State of Social Enterprise Report


Get featured in a unique directory that lists only accredited social enterprises and shows their social impact, which is viewed by approx. 400 visitors per month.

Social Enterprise Mark holders have their own profile on the directory, which includes details about the organisation with contact details and links to website and social media channels, as well as evidence of social impact. This will indicate your commitment to social enterprise principles as an approved Mark holder, as well as providing a public statement of how you commit to make a difference (social value).


Promote good practice and leadership in operating as a social enterprise, upholding sector-agreed standards and creating impact for the communities in which you operate and wider society.


During the assessment process, we will help you to recognise how your organisation complies with the best practice criteria defined by the Social Enterprise Mark, and may provide considerations for future development, including:

  • How changes in governance or sources of income may affect your eligibility
  • How you are reporting on distribution of profits
  • How you are reporting on impact created for social beneficiaries




See what Social Enterprise Mark holders have to say



Apply today