Made in Britain, the not-for-profit trade body championing UK-made products, has launched a new Environmental & Social Value (ESV) Certification – designed to give British manufacturers, especially SMEs, a fast and practical way to demonstrate their positive impact and win more work.

The purpose-built certification helps draw out and promote the value many manufacturers already deliver through local job creation, community engagement, environmental stewardship, and ethical supply chains.

Developed in collaboration with supply chain specialists MAP UK & International, the ESV Certification aligns with the UK Government’s updated Social Value Model (2025) and the Procurement Act 2023. It offers all 2,200 Made in Britain members a commercial advantage by helping them better articulate their contribution to society, the economy and the environment.

It’s also a useful tool for buying authorities and businesses looking to work with suppliers who are committed to responsible practices and local prosperity.

John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain, said:

“The ESV Certification offers members a practical, quick and inexpensive way to showcase their social value via a rapid and straightforward assessment. It recognises what companies are doing as part of their day-to-day business operations, without burdening them with having to do and spend more.

Environmental and Social Value is increasingly central to how the UK buys, builds and grows. Made in Britain companies are already showing exactly the kind of positive impact that buyers, stakeholders and communities want to see – the ESV Certification is simply helping them to showcase this impact and how they’re doing better business for people, planet and place.”

Shirley Cooper OBE, Small Business Crown Representative, added:

“UK SMEs are the backbone of our economy – driving sustainable growth, creating jobs and strengthening communities across the country. I am pleased to support accessible and credible initiatives that help SMEs stand out, win new orders and get more recognition for their commitment and contribution to the environment and society.”

Several businesses have already gone through the certification process – and are reaping the benefits.

Mark Moody, Sales & Marketing Director at WDS Components Ltd, said:

“As a small manufacturer, we really appreciated how straightforward the process was. It helped us reflect on what we’re already doing around Environmental & Social Value and gave us a new way to demonstrate that to customers and buyers.”

David Osborne, CEO of Roman Ltd, added:

“This is a great initiative for Made in Britain companies. It gave our team simple and practical tools to help communicate our contribution to people, planet and place, in a credible and confident way.”

The Environmental & Social Value Certification is now available to all Made in Britain members. To learn more, visit: www.madeinbritain.org/about/environmental-social-value

To discover verified UK manufacturers, visit: www.madeinbritain.org