FAQ &Objections

It is an independent, data-driven assessment that measures how your business performs across environmental, social, and governance criteria. You submit data, we score it against industry benchmarks, an analyst reviews the results, and you receive a certified ESG score and tier. Think of it as a credit score for your company’s sustainability performance.

CleanIndex certification aligns with major international reporting frameworks including ESRS, GRI, ISSB, and SASB. While no single certification replaces regulatory filing requirements, the CleanIndex process generates data and documentation that directly supports compliance with frameworks like CSRD, SEC climate disclosures, and ISSB standards. Many companies use their CleanIndex certification and CleanIndex ESG report as the foundation for their regulatory submissions.

B Corp certification evaluates a company’s entire social and environmental performance with a strong emphasis on mission and stakeholder governance. CleanIndex focuses specifically on ESG reporting metrics aligned with investor and regulatory frameworks. B Corp is excellent for values-driven branding. CleanIndex is designed for companies that need investor-grade, compliance-ready ESG credentials. Many companies hold both.

CleanIndex certified companies use their credentials in investor relations, procurement processes, regulatory filings, marketing materials, and stakeholder communications. Our certification is structured to meet the data requirements of ESG-focused investors, enterprise procurement teams, and regulatory bodies. The certification’s value comes from its methodology rigor and data transparency, not from a single endorsing authority.

The standard process takes 30 to 35 days from registration to certification. This includes:

• 2 to 3 days for onboarding
• 14 to 18 days for data submission
• 3 to 5 days for automated scoring
• 4 to 7 days for expert review and certification issuance

You need operational data across three categories:

• Environmental: energy usage, emissions, waste, water
• Social: employee demographics, health and safety, training, community engagement
• Governance: board structure, policies, compliance history, executive compensation

The CleanIndex platform guides you through every field with definitions, examples, and help text. You do not need prior ESG experience.

Most companies do not have perfect data when they start. CleanIndex allows you to report what you have and identifies gaps in your submission. Missing data points are scored as zero for that indicator, which affects your overall score but does not disqualify you from certification. Your improvement roadmap will highlight exactly what data to prioritize collecting before your next cycle.

Absolutely. If you already produce sustainability reports under other frameworks, much of that data can be directly mapped to CleanIndex requirements. Our platform includes a framework mapping tool that shows which existing data points satisfy which CleanIndex indicators.

You can request a detailed score explanation from your assigned analyst. If you believe a data point was misinterpreted or an indicator was scored incorrectly, you can submit a formal review request. We will re-evaluate the specific indicators in question and provide a written response within 10 business days.

Pricing is based on company size and ranges from entry-level rates for small businesses to enterprise pricing for large multinational organizations. Exact pricing is provided during registration. The investment is designed to be proportional to your company’s scale so that no business is priced out of verified ESG accountability.

Companies report that the CleanIndex certification pays for itself through:

• Improved access to ESG-focused investment capital
• Inclusion in enterprise procurement shortlists that require verified ESG credentials
• Stronger customer trust and loyalty from verified rather than self-reported claims
• Smoother regulatory compliance because the certification process generates audit-ready data
• Better employee retention and recruitment from demonstrated values alignment

The average CleanIndex certified company reports a return of 3–5x the certification cost within 12 months of certification.

No. Your score is confidential until you choose to publish it. Many companies start at Tier 1 or Tier 2 and use their first certification cycle to identify gaps and build an improvement plan. The certification is designed as a growth tool, not a public shaming exercise. You decide when and how to share your results.

Only if you make it public. Certified companies choose whether to appear in the CleanIndex directory and how much detail to display. Your raw data is never shared with anyone outside the CleanIndex review team.

The CleanIndex methodology uses industry benchmarks, cross-referenced public data, and independent analyst review. We do not set scores to make clients happy. We set scores to reflect reality. Companies that submit incomplete or inaccurate data receive lower scores.

The methodology is published transparently, and our independent advisory board oversees scoring integrity. If we inflated scores, our certification would have no value to investors or procurement teams. Our credibility depends on accuracy, which is why we protect it.

Yes. The CleanIndex methodology is overseen by an independent advisory board. Additionally, our scoring engine is audited periodically by external reviewers to confirm alignment with stated methodology and benchmark accuracy.

Three safeguards:

• Automated consistency checks that flag mathematically impossible or implausible submissions
• Cross-referencing against public data sources
• Analyst review of every submission

Additionally, CleanIndex reserves the right to revoke certification if post-certification evidence reveals materially inaccurate submissions.

Annually or every three years. Your certification is valid for 12 or 36 months from the date of issuance.

Yes. Your baseline data carries over. You only need to update data that has changed. Recertification typically takes 15 to 20 days instead of 30 to 35 days.

Your tier adjusts to reflect your current performance. If your score drops below a tier threshold, you move to the lower tier. This is not a penalty. It is accurate reporting. Your analyst will provide specific recommendations for recovering lost ground.