Services
Everything WBWO does for its members starts with certification. Once you’re certified, all of these are part of your membership, with no extra fees unless we say so.
Core services
Business identity
A WBWO number, certificate and public record that buyers, banks and partners anywhere can check.
- A permanent WBWO number, such as WBWO-KE-19-0412
- A public record showing your country, sector, certification status and last audit date
- A seal generated from your number, printed on your certificate and shown on your record
- A printable certificate, reissued every year you stay certified
- A digital badge for your website, invoices and email signature that links to your live record
Member platform
Log in to manage your membership, and find and connect with other certified businesses.
- Your membership in one place: certificate, seal, renewals, invoices and documents
- A searchable directory of certified businesses by country, sector and product
- Connect with other certified members straight from their profile
- Letters of introduction from WBWO to a prospective buyer, supplier or bank
- Trade desk help with export paperwork, payment terms and Incoterms
Independent audits
Accredited auditors check your registration, ownership, finances, tax and how you treat your workers.
- An audit matched to your size: a remote foundation check for startups, a remote audit for small and mid-sized businesses, and an on-site audit for large companies
- A written report with findings and anything you need to fix
- The result and audit date on your public record
- A fresh audit every year, so the result stays meaningful
Financial support
Loans from the Welfare Fund when hardship hits, and introductions to investors when you’re ready to grow.
- Hardship loans from the Welfare Fund, on terms agreed with you in writing before any money is paid
- Introductions to investors and lenders in the WBWO network
- Help preparing your case, from the figures to the paperwork
- A welfare officer who stays in touch while the business recovers
Member support
Dispute mediation
Settle disputes with other members quickly, without going to court.
- A trained, neutral mediator from a different country from both parties
- Online sessions, so nobody has to travel
- A written settlement agreement for both sides to sign
- A free first session, then fixed fees shared between the parties
Contract and compliance desk
Model contracts and plain answers to compliance questions, before they become problems.
- Model sale, supply, agency and distribution contracts
- Written answers to compliance questions within 5 working days
- Sanctions and restricted-party checks on a new partner
- Referrals to vetted lawyers in other countries, at member rates
Export academy
Short, practical courses on exporting, compliance and running a sound business.
- Preparing for certification: identity checks, business checks and your first audit
- Export basics: Incoterms, customs and payment terms
- Getting paid: letters of credit, escrow and trade finance
- Looking after your people: employment standards and staff welfare
Policy representation
We speak for genuine businesses when trade and regulatory rules are being written.
- Responses to public consultations on trade, customs, due diligence and business identity
- Member surveys, with the results published
- Regional member forums twice a year
- Plain-language guides to rule changes that affect members, published on wbwo.org