Our Rationale
Besides being an award that gives recognition to companies for their initiatives, the SBA is a tool for companies to assess their sustainability performance. Our submission guidelines ensure that corporations, regardless of size and type, have equal access to the awards and are fairly assessed. Larger organisations have far-reaching impacts across all areas and are therefore assessed across our 12 categories.
With the growing interest in the SBA, there has also been an increasing need to make the awards more accessible and relatable to a variety of organisations, such as SMEs and social enterprises. The SBA can help smaller organisations unlock value by identifying small changes that they can easily implement to create a better workplace or business environment.
Our Guidelines
Large Enterprises
(1) Large corporations should complete all 12 pillars for a comprehensive sustainability assessment. Only companies that submit all 12 pillars can run for the “overall winner” award of the SBA.
(2) Businesses from the Financials sector will not be required to complete the survey questions in Pillar 5: Water Management, Pillar 6: Waste Productivity & Materiality, and Pillar 9: Land Use & Biodiversity.
(3) Businesses from the Communication Services and the Information Technology sectors will not be required to complete the survey questions in Pillar 5: Water Management.
SMEs/ Social enterprises
(1) SMEs and Social enterprises are encouraged to complete all 12 pillars. However, if they are unable to, then they should complete the pillars they have initiatives for.
(2) Businesses from the Financials sector will not be required to complete the survey questions in Pillar 5: Water Management, Pillar 6: Waste Productivity & Materiality, and Pillar 9: Land Use & Biodiversity.
(3) Businesses from the Communication Services and the Information Technology sectors will not be required to complete the survey questions in Pillar 5: Water Management.
Country-specific definitions of large enterprises
Indonesia
In Indonesia’s National Entrepreneurship Draft Bill, social enterprise is defined as a venture that has a vision and mission to solve social problems and/or promote positive changes to the welfare of society and the environment through activities that have measurable impact, and which reinvests the majority of its profit to support the mission.
Thailand
According to the Royal Decree on Tax Exemption (No. 621):
1) Be established under Thai law, with the objectives of operating a business for the sale of goods or provision of services
2) Aim to promote employment at the location of its social enterprise, or solve problems or develop local communities, societies, or the environment
3) Not emphasize maximizing profits for shareholders or partners, with at least 70% of its profit invested back into the business, or for the benefit of farmers, the poor, the disabled, the disadvantaged, or other common benefits as prescribed by the Minister of Finance.
Singapore
The Singapore Centre for Social Enterprises (raiSE) defines it as “business entities set up with clear social goals; and where there is clear management intent and resources allocated to fulfill their social objectives.
Country-specific definitions of SMEs
If your company is defined as an SME, please enter under the SME section and read the guidelines for participation carefully.
Indonesia
An enterprise with net assets up to 10 billion rupiah (excluding land or buildings) AND annual sales not exceeding 50 billion rupiah
Philippines
An enterprise with up to 199 employees and/or assets valued up to P100 million
Singapore
An enterprise with at least 30% local shareholding;
AND annual sales up to S$100 million OR up to 200 employees
Malaysia
Manufacturing sector: An enterprise that has annual sales turnover of up to RM50 million OR up to 200 full-time employees
Services and other sectors: An enterprise that has annual sales turnover of up to RM20 million OR up to 75 full-time employees
Thailand
Manufacturing and service industry: An enterprise with assets up to 200 million bahts (excluding land) OR up to 200 employees
Wholesale industry: An enterprise with assets up to 100 million bahts (excluding land) OR up to 200 employees
Retailing industry: An enterprise with assets up to 60 million bahts (excluding land) OR up to 150 employees
Definition of social enterprises and NGOs
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Social enterprises are defined as typically small organisations whose business has specific objectives to maximize benefits to society and/or the environment.
NGO
NGOs are organisations that operate independently of any government and whose purpose is to address an environmental, social or political issue.