Action Recommended. The countdown has begun. B Lab is undergoing the most significant review in its history, set to redefine what it means to be a B Corp. This evolution represents an exciting development for sustainable businesses across the world, raising the global bar for corporate responsibility and impact. Now is your chance to join this thriving community under the current standards. Starting your journey today means you can complete certification before the 2026 changes, giving you a strong strategic advantage. Now’s the time to take smart, timely action that positions you at the forefront of sustainable business.
Download our Are You Ready to B Corp Guide, speak to a B Corp expert or read on for more information.
After almost two decades of supporting businesses balancing profit with purpose, B Corp is about to undergo its most significant evolution yet. These changes promise to redefine what it means to be a responsible, ethical business today. For organisations considering certification or those already on the B Corp journey, understanding these changes is essential.
As sustainability experts, we’ve guided hundreds of businesses through the complexities of B Corp certification requirements. Now, with the certification process changing in an unprecedented way, we’re here to help you navigate its largest shift.
“With the development of new standards, B Corps will be able to position themselves as leaders in social and environmental positive impact – now and in many years to come. The process that we’re going through now is the biggest one to date.” – Joey van den Brink, Head of Certification & Standards at B Lab Europe
Raising the bar for sustainability
B Corp certification has become synonymous with businesses that prioritise social and environmental impact alongside profit. It’s a powerful sustainability management tool that over 280,000 organisations worldwide use to measure and improve their impact. B Corp represents a movement for change – a collective belief that business can and should be used as a force for good.
The certification process is both rigorous and comprehensive, enabling companies to continuously improve their impact. It is this ethos that is the driving force behind the upcoming changes to the B Corp standards.
A window of opportunity for 2025
While the exact implementation date for the new standards is yet to be confirmed, B Lab has signalled early 2026 as the target. This timeline creates a unique window of opportunity for businesses considering B Corp certification.
“There is still time to certify on the current standards. While it’s important to be keeping up to date with the upcoming changes, if you are thinking of certifying as a B Corp in the next couple of years, we recommend going for it while the current standards are still live.” – Amy Bourbeau, Cofounder and Chief Impact Officer at Seismic
Our recommendation is for companies to get started now, while certification is in its current format. By beginning the process under the current standards, businesses can:
- Become part of the B Corp movement sooner
- Already step up their performance by meeting current B Corp standards
- Take action embedding purpose throughout their team
- Join the brilliant B Corp community
Once certified, companies can shift focus to forward planning for the new standards when they recertify in 3 years time.
The certification process for a mid-sized company typically takes between 9 to 15 months. As of September 2024, we’re about 16 months away from the end of 2025. This timing is critical. It means that companies starting now have a comfortable runway to complete their certification under the current standards, while still having time to adapt to the new requirements as they come into effect.
A seismic shift in standards
The changes B Lab have outlined aren’t just procedural tweaks; they represent a fundamental and positive shift in how businesses will be evaluated and certified as B Corps.
The current system, based on accumulating 80 points on the B Impact Assessment across 5 impact areas, is set to be replaced by a more prescriptive approach. The new standards will introduce minimum requirements across 8 impact topics, the latest draft impact topics are below:
- Foundation Requirements
- Purpose & Stakeholder Governance
- Fair Work
- Justice, Equity, Diversity & inclusion
- Human Rights
- Climate Action
- Circularity & Environmental Stewardship
- Government Affairs & Collective Action
This shift is designed to define what it means to be a B Corp more clearly, building it into a standardised process. It will help B Corps reach for the highest standards across all aspects of their business, rather than potentially offsetting weaknesses in one area with strengths in another. The new set of changes will mean companies need to meet specific requirements on each of the core topics to meet certification.
Transparency, always a cornerstone of the B Corp ethos, is being further emphasised. The new standards promise clearer guidance and more detailed explanations of each requirement. This clarity will make the certification process more straightforward, providing businesses with a reliable roadmap for improvement.
Moreover, the new standards double down on continuous improvement, where certified B Corps will need to demonstrate ongoing progress in their impact over time. At recertification, companies will need to demonstrate continuous improvement as well as progress on topic-specific plans and goals. This change reinforces the understanding that becoming a force for good is not a destination but an ongoing journey.
86% of B Corp respondents think the new draft standards represent high standards & will help make meaningful progress on pressing social and environmental issues (Source: Evolving the standards for B Corp certification, preliminary consultation results).
How can the new B Corp standards benefit your business?
The changes to the B Corp standards are designed to fit your business better. They aim to be clearer about what’s expected, saving priceless time and mental bandwidth, and provide a more comprehensive insight into your organisation’s specific performance goals, so you’re clear on where you are and where you need to go.
One of the most significant improvements is the interoperability of the framework, lining up well with other global reporting standards like CSRD, IFRS Sustainability, Disclosure Standards and GRI. This alignment reduces duplication of efforts for your team, making it easier for companies that need or choose to meet additional frameworks.
It’s important to note that the new standards will be more prescriptive and have some non-negotiable requirements, which can only strengthen the value of B Corp certification. Companies will need to dedicate time and forward planning to build this performance into their structure, providing stakeholders with more confidence in what B Corp means for people and planet. We should also keep in mind that these standards are still being fine-tuned and have the potential to evolve further.
“We are living in a time where there are many many global crises coming our way, whether it’s a political, environmental or social crisis, so the need to change and to lead the way is more present than ever.” – Joey van den Brink, Head of Certification & Standards at B Lab Europe
The real value of B Corp certification
The true value of B Corp certification lies in the journey itself. The certification process provides companies with a comprehensive framework for understanding and improving their social and environmental impact. It’s an indispensable tool for pushing businesses to become better versions of themselves.
Even for companies that may not achieve certification immediately, engaging with the B Corp framework offers invaluable insights into sustainable and ethical business practices. It’s a roadmap for building a solid sustainability strategy that can drive genuine positive change within your business, your community and the world around you.
Your B Corp Partner
We understand that navigating these changes might seem daunting. Seismic is home to Europe’s largest and most experienced team of B Corp specialists, here to guide you through certification before the new standards come into effect.
The B Corp evolution brings with it an unprecedented opportunity for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to being a force for good. Are you ready to join the shift? Get in touch with our B Corp experts and join a global community working towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
