Environmental and Social Value Certification
Stand out and sell more with Environmental and Social Value
UK buyers are increasingly required to consider Environmental and Social Value (ESV) when awarding contracts. In the public sector, this is a legal requirement. Consumers also increasingly want to buy from companies that have a positive impact on people, planet and place.
As a Made in Britain member, you already offer what those buyers are looking for, including: employing and training people in the UK, supporting local communities, and operating in line with UK legislation and regulations on ethics and environmental sustainability.
Now your company can draw out and promote this impact and gain a new commercial edge in a highly competitive UK market.
Designed specifically for UK companies, the Environmental & Social Value (ESV) Certification is a practical, rapid, and accessibly priced way to promote your company’s positive impact and to use that to win new orders and contracts. With a focus on your UK-based operations and impact, even if you're part of a global business, using language aligned with UK procurement priorities and regulations.
Whether you work in marketing, sustainability, purchasing or preparing bids within the company, the ESV Certification gives you clear, accessible tools to show the value and positive impact your company already delivers.
Developed in collaboration with MAP UK & International, the Made in Britain ESV Certification helps UK manufacturers to stand out, without having to change operations or jump through hoops.
The Certification sits as part of Made in Britain’s ESV Programme.
Check out the ESV News section of our website to see more work and impact by Made in Britain members.
Complete the ESV Certification now
The ESV Certification is £390 excluding VAT for all Made in Britain members.
What is ESV Certification?
The ESV Certification recognises your company’s current contributions and commitment to the environment and society. It is designed to draw out and promote what your company already does, and help communicate that to your customers and stakeholders, be they consumers, businesses, government, politicians or any other entity.
The ESV Certification is valid for 12 months and is issued to companies that complete a 15-question survey informed by the UK Government’s updated procurement priorities (PPN002 and the Social Value Model – see more below), which covers:
• Jobs and skills
• Community engagement
• Environmental sustainability
• Ethical and local supply chains
It should take no longer than 10-15 minutes to complete.
The ESV Certification recognises your company’s current contributions and commitment to the environment and society.
Once completed and processed by Made in Britain and MAP, your company will be issued a personalised ESV Certificate that you can:
- Link from your company’s website, email signatures or social media;
- Attach to bids for new business, or correspondence with stakeholders and your company’s local MP; and/or,
- Print off and frame for your factory floor or office walls.
Additionally, your company will also receive a tailored ESV Pack within three working days.
This Pack is designed to provide Certified companies with practical tools, including:
- Findings Report: A concise summary of your company’s ESV metrics (e.g. carbon reduction, local employment and support for the local community).
- Press Release Template: Customisable text for immediate publication, announcing your company’s ESV Certification publicly.
- MP Outreach Letter: A ready-made template letter you can send to your company’s local MP and adaptable for other stakeholders.
- Social Media Toolkit: A prepared set of social media messages and graphics to help share your company’s Certification online and accompany your company’s posts.
- Guidance on ESV in Bids: Practical tips on how to feature your company’s ESV credentials most effectively to bid more competitively for government and commercial contracts.
The ESV Certification is £390 excluding VAT for all Made in Britain members.
Note: The ESV Certification is based on self-declared responses and is not a formal accreditation, qualification, or third-party audit. It is not recognised as a regulated compliance or assurance standard. The ESV Certification is designed to support transparency and promote positive environmental and social practices among UK companies.
How is ESV Certification different from other accreditations?
Unlike broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, the ESV Certification is informed by the UK Government’s Social Value Model and Procurement Act 2023. This regulation, coupled with consumers increasingly want to buy from companies that have a positive impact on people, planet and place, mean UK buyers are increasingly required to consider Environmental and Social Value when making a buying choice.
It is therefore designed specifically for UK companies that sell to UK consumers, businesses and government, and explicitly to promote your company’s positive environmental and social practices and, crucially, help your company stand out and sell more.
Complete the ESV Certification now
The ESV Certification is £390 excluding VAT for all Made in Britain members.
What is Environmental and Social Value?
Social Value became a formal part of public sector procurement through the Social Value Act 2012. It is now even more central under the Procurement Act 2023, which strengthens the expectation that public bodies must consider the broader social, economic, and environmental impact of what they buy. The UK government recently updated procurement priorities through PPN002 and the Social Value Model.
With £350 billion of UK government procurement spend every year, companies and supply chains are increasingly also demanding Social Value. Read any CEO statement in a public company’s annual report and you will see reference to it.
We call it Environmental and Social Value as the government’s definition covers environmental as well as social factors.
We also know that consumers increasingly want to buy from companies that have a positive impact on people, planet and place. For example, Made in Britain’s 2024 Environment and Society Barometer highlighted that reputation (76%) and customer expectations (69%) are among the main reasons why companies prioritise having a positive impact.
For UK SME manufacturers, Environmental and Social Value is not just about doing the right thing – it’s about doing better business: winning work, building resilience, and achieving and supporting long-term growth.
Start now — It’s simple, fast, and built for your company
Whether you’re bidding for commercial contracts, communicating with consumers or just want to show your company’s value more clearly, ESV Certification is built for your company.
Thousands of UK manufacturers already meet many ESV standards without knowing it — this Certification simply helps your company prove and promote it.
Complete the ESV Certification now
The ESV Certification is £390 excluding VAT for all Made in Britain members.
Need help or want to know more? Contact us at esv@madeinbritain.org. And a reminder to keep an eye on the ESV News section of our website to see how other Made in Britain members are leading the way.
FAQs
My company isn’t a Made in Britain member – can I still access the ESV Certification?
The ESV Certification is currently only available to Made in Britain members. If you're not currently a Made in Britain member, please see more information on how to apply.
Do I have to complete the survey all in one go?
No. You can save your progress and return later. However, completing it in one session usually takes just 10–15 minutes.
What if I don’t know the answers to some questions?
That's fine. Answer as fully as you can based on the information available. If unsure, you can select "Don’t know" or "In development" where options are provided. Or save and check with a relevant colleague.
Will my company still receive Certification regardless of my survey responses?
Yes. ESV Certification recognises your company’s current contributions and commitment — it is about drawing out and promoting what your company already does.
Does ESV Certification guarantee higher scores in bids?
No certification guarantees success, but ESV Certification provides credible, recognised evidence that strengthens your company’s Social Value responses — especially under PPN 002 and the Procurement Act 2023.
Do I need to tailor my ESV Certification data to each contract?
Yes. Public procurement expects contract-specific commitments. Use your company’s ESV metrics as evidence but clearly explain how they are relevant to that specific bid.
How is ESV Certification different from other accreditations?
Unlike broader ESG frameworks, ESV Certification is built specifically around the UK Government’s Social Value Model and Procurement Act 2023. It is designed to align directly with public sector procurement requirements, with a focus on your company’s UK operations and supply chains, and designed to be far more accessible, faster to complete, and cost-effective for SMEs.
Can we integrate this with B Corp or other schemes?
Yes. Highlight where your company’s ESV data overlaps with those frameworks (e.g. carbon tracking, employee wellbeing). Presenting both can show a strong, consistent ethos.
How long is the ESV Certification valid?
ESV Certification is valid for one year from the date of issue. Check the specific date on your company’s Certificate and consider scheduling a renewal or reassessment when it nears expiry.
How do we update our data if things change?
If your company makes substantial improvements (e.g. a new training programme or increased local sourcing), you can request an update to your company’s ESV data or wait until your next annual review. Keeping figures current strengthens your company’s credentials in bids.
Is there a renewal process?
Yes. Near the end of your company’s Certification period, you’ll be invited to resubmit updated data or confirm continuing practices. Renewals help maintain credibility and ensure your company’s ESV performance is up to date.
Who can I contact for support?
Please email esv@madeinbritain.org for any queries about the survey, Certification process, or technical support.
Complete the ESV Certification now
The ESV Certification is £390 excluding VAT for all Made in Britain members.