The B Corp certification has always been the gold standard for businesses balancing profit and purpose. Now, B Lab is rolling out the most significant update to its standards in the movement’s history, fundamentally changing how companies achieve and maintain their status.
The shift is clear, B Corp is moving away from an aggregate “pass/fail” score and toward mandatory minimum performance requirements across crucial social and environmental topics. This evolution is about raising the bar and ensuring every certified B Corp is taking concrete, consistent action on the world’s most pressing challenges.
Here’s a breakdown of the key changes and how the new standards compare to the old model.
Old vs. New: The Core Difference
The foundational difference lies in the certification mechanism itself; the transition from a flexible scoring system to a strict compliance model.
The Old Standards: The 80-Point Score (Version 6)
Under the previous model, companies certified using the B Impact Assessment (BIA) needed to achieve an aggregate score of 80 points out of 200.
Performance Benchmark
The requirement is a minimum score of 80 points on the BIA. The ‘loophole’ is that high performance in one area (for example, generous worker benefits) could offset low performance in another (such as moderate environmental impact).
Structure
The framework is organised into five sections: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers. The ‘loophole’ here is that the emphasis was on getting enough points, not necessarily excelling in every area.
Recertification
Recertification is required every three years and focuses on maintaining the 80-point threshold. The ‘loophole’ is that improvement was encouraged, but not a mandatory structural requirement.
The New Standards: Mandatory Performance & Continuous Improvement
The new standards eliminate the aggregate scoring system. Instead, companies must demonstrate that they meet a defined list of mandatory minimum performance requirements across all core impact areas. This removes the ability to ‘score’ your way around a weakness.
Performance Benchmark
There are no points. Companies must satisfy specific, non-negotiable, mandatory requirements across all Impact Topics. The new imperative is that every B Corp must now demonstrate meaningful action in all critical areas.
Structure
The framework is organised into seven Core Impact Topics (plus a required legal framework). The new imperative is that it focuses on issues demanding urgent global action, such as Climate Action and Human Rights.
Continuous Improvement
Certification is a phased journey (Year 0, Year 3, Year 5). The new imperative is that companies must show measurable progress over time, with new, more rigorous requirements mandated at each recertification phase.
The 7 Core Impact Topics
The new framework introduces mandatory performance requirements across seven central themes. This ensures a consistent “floor” of positive impact for every B Corp, regardless of industry or size.
Here are just a few examples of the rigorous new focus areas:
- Climate Action: All B Corps must measure and publicly report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (including their value chain) and establish a climate transition plan to reduce those emissions in line with limiting global warming.
- Human Rights: Companies must conduct human rights due diligence across their operations and value chain to assess, prevent, and mitigate negative impacts on people.
- Fair Work: Mandatory requirements to ensure fair wages (a living wage, where applicable), establish positive workplace cultures, and incorporate worker feedback into decision-making.
- Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI): Companies must have an inclusive and diverse workplace and contribute meaningfully to more just and equitable communities.
- Purpose & Stakeholder Governance: The legal requirement is reinforced, ensuring purpose and stakeholder consideration are embedded in the company’s decision-making and legal structure.
What This Means for Business
The new B Corp standards are not just an update; they are a redefinition of leadership in responsible business.
- Increased Rigor and Credibility: By mandating action across all major impact areas, B Lab enhances the credibility of the certification and prevents greenwashing or social washing.
- A Clear Roadmap: The new standards provide a clearer, more explicit roadmap for impact. Instead of chasing points, companies have a definitive set of criteria guiding their investments and strategy.
- Global Alignment: The updates better align B Corp standards with global regulations (like the EU’s corporate sustainability directives) and leading frameworks (like the GHG Protocol), making compliance easier for multinational companies.
For both aspiring and currently certified B Corps, the message is the same: standing still is no longer an option. The future of business demands continuous, deep commitment to impact, and the new B Corp standards are the blueprint for leading the way.