Recertifying Under the New B Corp Standards
What it means for your b corp journey
As the B Corp movement matures, so too must its standards. In April 2025, B Lab officially launched Version 7 of its certification framework, arguably the largest standards overhaul to date, designed to sharpen accountability, raise the bar for impact, and align more closely with global sustainability regulations. For existing B Corps (the community has just hit 10,000!), this shift presents both challenges and opportunities.
In our recent webinar, our B Corp experts Mia and Guy unpacked what these changes mean for businesses navigating recertification under the new standards.
Why the Standards Have Changed
The sustainability landscape has evolved dramatically since B Lab first introduced its certification framework in 2006. Today, we face an intensifying climate crisis and widening social inequalities. At the same time, changing consumer expectations, regulatory pressures, and the need for systemic impact are all increasing.
B Lab’s updated standards respond to these shifts, with the new framework designed to:
Ensure greater clarity and consistency across certified B Corps
Improve alignment with frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
Eliminate symbolic actions in favour of measurable, systemic change
These updates follow a four-year development process, involving multiple rounds of public consultation, over 26,000 pieces of stakeholder feedback, and contributions from 67 countries, 70 focus groups and dozens of subject matter experts - a testament to B Lab’s commitment to community-informed standards.
The new framework also addresses critiques of the previous model, specifically the points system which allowed businesses to offset underperformance in one area by scoring highly in another, creating inconsistencies in real-world impact.
What’s Changed With Recertification?
B Corp recertification is the process where certified companies must re-assess and demonstrate their ongoing social and environmental impact to maintain their B Corp status.
Previously, businesses completed the B Impact Assessment (BIA), submitted evidence, and underwent verification by B Lab. Under the new framework, three key changes apply:
New Impact Platform:
Recertification is managed through B Lab’s new and improved B Impact Platform, which houses the new Self-Assessment tool which B Corps can use to prepare for recertification.
Continuous Improvement: Recertification now includes a structured improvement pathway, with new sub-requirements introduced at the three- and five-year marks. This ensures businesses embed sustainability and accountability into their core operations and demonstrate continuous improvement over time. All businesses begin at Year 0. Beyond Year 5, companies are expected to continue evolving, though B Lab has yet to release the full details on the long-term recertification framework.
Independent Verification: Certification is now verified by a third party rather than B Lab, bringing greater credibility and compliance with the EU Empowering Consumers Directive (ECD). Details on what this looks like are still to be released by B Lab.
What’s Changed in the Standards?
For businesses recertifying, the most significant changes to be aware of include:
A Shift from Points to Performance Threshold: The 80-point system is gone. Minimum requirements must now be met across each impact topic. You either meet the requirements, or you don’t, making the process both more rigorous and more transparent.
New Impact Topics: While Version 6 organised impact into five areas; Version 7 introduces seven Impact which are more action-oriented and future-focused. They are:
Purpose and Stakeholder Governance
Fair Work
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Human Rights
Climate Action
Environmental Stewardship and Circularity
Government Affairs and Collective Action
Reassessment of Impact Business Models (IBMs) : IBMs previously played a key role in scoring. Under the new standards, they are on pause while B Lab reevaluates how they fit within a more uniform certification system. This potentially increases the workload for companies that previously relied on them for points.
Track Size Changes: Track size is a contextualisation mechanism used by B Lab to adjust the standard requirements to ensure they’re appropriate and achievable for the company in question. Historically track size was based on headcount, but in the new standards it is now based on full-time equivalent (FTE) workers or annual revenue thresholds, whichever is higher. It is worth checking if your track size has changed.
Risk Tool Introduction: A risk profiling tool has been introduced to eligibility requirements. Depending on the results of this assessment, companies may be required to comply with additional due diligence requirements.
Navigating the Transition
Whether your recertification is coming up this year or further down the line, understanding your timeline is essential. B Lab has shared the following guidance:
2025: If you missed the June 2025 submission deadline for recertifying under the current standards, you’ll now need to complete recertification under the new standards in 2026.
2026: Organisations recertifying in 2026 receive a 12-month extension to their recertification date, but it’s important to start preparing now.
2027 and beyond: If your recertification date falls in 2027 or later, your timeline remains unchanged. Begin preparations early to make sure you’re ready to meet the new standards.
What It Means in Practice
As Giulia McMurdo of Matrix Brands shared in our webinar, the new standards “remove the ability to shape the mold to fit your business. You either meet the requirements, or you don’t.” While daunting at first glance, Giulia noted that this clarity has its advantages, particularly for accountability and internal buy-in.
Matrix’s approach involved:
Mapping year 0, 3, and 5 requirements across the full five-year period
Creating offline, stakeholder-specific versions of the BIA
Proactively engaging leadership in conversations around feasibility and strategic alignment
One insight that stood out: the new standards don't necessarily increase cost, but they do demand ongoing consistency. Instead of a “crunch period” every three years, businesses will need sustained focus over time.
Implications for the EU Market
An important factor to be aware of for businesses operating in the European Union (EU) is the EU Empowering Consumers Directive (ECD). From September 2026, the ECD mandates third party verification for all public sustainability claims and certifications, including B Corp. Companies certified under the old standards could face legal risk if marketing their B Corp status after this date. Businesses should plan to recertify under the new standards before the deadline or seek legal guidance on communication.
How to Get Started
If your business is recertifying soon, here’s a recommended path forward:
Download the new standards and familiarise yourself with the structure, terminology, and impact topics.
Log into the B Impact Assessment platform and complete the self-assessment to identify your current compliance status.
Engage internal stakeholders early. Assign impact topic owners and ensure leadership understands what’s required.
Conduct a gap analysis and develop a realistic action plan. Keep in mind that some year 3 requirements may require groundwork today.
Seek expert support. A partner like B·ABLE can help simplify the process, conduct gap assessments, and support ongoing strategy implementation.
Keep an eye out for updates. Some details, such as third-party verifiers and risk tools, are still pending. The B Lab Certification Hub is where you can find all the latest updates.
Your B Corp Partner
Are you preparing for recertification under the new B Corp standards? Are you feeling a little overwhelmed? We understand. We’ve guided many businesses through their B Corp certification, and we’re ready to help you too.
Reach out to our B Corp experts to start your journey toward a better future.