B Corp New Standards: Your FAQs Answered
It’s been almost five months since the new B Corp standards were released, and at B·ABLE we’ve been busy helping businesses understand what the changes mean for certification and recertification.
In today’s blog, we answer some of the most common questions we’ve been hearing.
What does the third-party verification process look like?
There have been many questions about the third-party verification process, partly because B Lab has yet to release full details on what it will look like. For those unfamiliar, under the new standards B Lab will no longer directly certify companies. Instead, certification will be managed by an independent third party, bringing greater credibility and assurance to the process while aligning with rising regulatory expectations.
Although B Lab has not yet confirmed exactly how this process will work, they have stated that updates will be shared before the end of the year. In the meantime, we recommend keeping an eye on the Certification Hub, where all updates are now being published.
Are the Foundation Requirements mandatory for all companies?
Yes. All companies, regardless of size or sector, must meet the same Foundation Requirements at the start of their certification journey. These remain largely the same as the previous standards and are based around eligibility and legal requirements.
The new standards also introduce a Risk Profile Tool, which all companies must complete. Depending on the outcome, some may need to meet additional sub-requirements to demonstrate proactive risk management.
As an existing B Corp, do I recertify on the Year 0 requirements?
Yes. All companies begin at Year 0, even if previously certified. Recertifying businesses must meet the baseline Y0 requirements and then follow the five-year continuous improvement model from there.
To certify, will our company need to demonstrate a full year of evidence? e.g. have had a Climate Action Plan in place for at least a year.
No. There isn’t a standard minimum timeframe for evidence, unless specified. What matters is that you can demonstrate the required actions are in place and truly embedded into company practices.
Are both the old standards and the new standards accessible on the B Impact portal?
Yes!
New standards (V2.1): Found under the Self-Assessment tab, with sub-requirements tailored to your profile.
Old standards: Still accessible under the Measure tab, including previous assessments and in-progress work.
Will the workload required for the new certification under the new standards be higher?
It depends. Certification workload varies by individual business context and starting point. Workload is relative to size, with larger companies facing more requirements than SMEs. And workload may also be greater, if you previously relied on Impact Business Model points, which don’t exist under the new framework.
What’s most important is consistency. Under the new standards, B Lab wants to see accountability and processes embedded systemically, rather than work being ramped up only at recertification.
How can B·ABLE support companies with certification or recertification?
We provide tailored support depending on where you are in your B Corp journey. Here are some of the ways we can support your business:
SMEs certifying under the old standards (available until end of 2025): We can support with accurately completing the BIA, building out a road map and action plan, with reviewing documents and evidence, and guiding you through the verification process.
Existing or aspiring B Corps transitioning to the new standards: We can help you with understanding the new standard expectations, conduct gap analyses to identify what needs to be done, and design road maps and action plans for certification.
We’ve guided many businesses through their B Corp certification, and we’re ready to help you too.