The New B Corp Standards Explained
Everything You Need to Know
B Corp was one of the first global certifications to recognise strong corporate ethical and environmental practices and has long been a beacon for purpose-led businesses. Now, with the roll-out of Version 7 of the standards, B Lab has taken bold steps to strengthen the framework and respond to rising global sustainability demands, shifting regulatory landscapes, and growing calls for business accountability.
In a recent webinar hosted by B·ABLE, our sustainability experts Mia and Guy broke down the changes, what they mean in practice and how companies can best prepare. Watch the recording or read below for our overview of the key changes and the next steps your business should be thinking about.
Why the Standards Have Changed
The new standards were nearly four years in the making; a comprehensive 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.
The objective was clear: evolve the certification to meet rising expectations, improve clarity, and reduce ambiguity. And the result is a framework that strengthens the definition of what it means to be a business operating for good and raises the bar for businesses looking to lead in a just, inclusive, and climate-resilient future.
The new standards also address a flaw in the previous framework, where companies could overperform in one area while underperforming in another and still certify. Now businesses must demonstrate baseline performance across all impact areas.
“These new standards establish a stronger, more transparent foundation for all businesses committed to building an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative global economy”
- B Lab Global
5 Key Changes
While much has changed in the new standards, there are five fundamental updates to be aware of, especially if you’ve previously certified under the old standards.
No More 80-Point Score: The old scoring system has been retired, with businesses now expected to meet non-negotiable minimum requirements across all impact topics. Instead of the flexible point accumulation model, certification is now assessed on a pass-fail basis.
This new approach is designed to harness the full power of the B Corp community to drive systemic change at scale, by demanding more accountability and action and requiring B Corps to contribute meaningfully across all areas of impact.
New Impact Topics: Version 6 had five broad impact areas. Version 7 introduces seven specific impact topics:
Purpose and Stakeholder Governance
Fair Work
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Human Rights
Climate Action
Environmental Stewardship and Circularity
Government Affairs and Collective Action
Continuous Improvement Model: Continuous improvement has always been a core principle of the B Corp movement. Now, it is formally embedded into the certification process. After achieving certification (Year 0), companies must meet further milestones at Year 3 and Year 5, demonstrating progress and deepening their impact. 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 Third-Party Verification: Certification will now be handled by external verifiers rather than B Lab itself. This brings greater credibility, aligns B Corp with other frameworks (like CSRD and GRI), and meets the requirements of the upcoming EU Empowering Consumers Directive.
Pause on Impact Business Models (IBMs): Previously, companies could earn points for having business models with embedded impact. Under Version 7, IBMs are on hold for now, potentially increasing the workload for companies that previously relied on them for points.
The new standards mark a shift from the 80 point scoring requirement to minimum requirements across 7 Impact Topics
New Structural Features
The structure of the new standards framework now consists of three core components:
Contextualisation Mechanisms: These adjust the performance requirements based on a company’s size, sector, and geographical location, and have been designed to ensure the B Corp certification remains fair and meaningful across a wide range of businesses. Included is an Equity Mechanism that accounts for the operational barriers some companies may face due to their location, enabling them to opt out of 10-15% of sub-requirements
Foundational Requirements: Requirements that all companies must complete right at the beginning of their certification journey. These remain largely the same as in the old standards – legal accountability, stakeholder governance and eligibility checks. An additional feature is the introduction of a risk profiling tool.
Performance Requirements: The specific sub-requirements for each of the seven impact topics, with minimum standards companies must meet to certify. These can be flexed based on the outcomes of the contextualisation mechanisms.
Certification Timelines
The transition to the new standards is being rolled out in a phased approach. Here are the key timelines to be aware of.
First-time certification:
SMEs certifying for the first time can still certify under the old standards until the end of 2025
Large and multinational companies must wait until 2026 to certify under Version 7
Recertification:
Existing B Corps with a recertification date in 2026 must meet the new standards but get a 12-month extension
Those recertifying in 2027 or later must recertify under the new standards according to their original schedule
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. Applying to all businesses from September 2026, the legislation mandates third party verification for all public sustainability claims and certifications, including B Corp. The Version 7 standards comply; however, businesses certified under the old standards could face legal risk if they market their B Corp certification after that date. Businesses are encouraged to recertify under the new standards ahead of the September deadline or consult legal counsel for alternative communication strategies.
Next Steps
Ready to move ahead with certification? We recommend taking the following steps:
Get familiar with the new standards by downloading the summary and full version from B Lab’s site.
Take the self-assessment on the B Impact Assessment platform. This tool shows you what’s required based on your business profile.
Do a gap analysis to identify where you fall short and prioritise actions.
Engage your team early. Share responsibility across departments and build buy-in.
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.
“At a time when other leaders are stepping back, business must drive progress. This isn’t merely an update; it’s a complete reimagining of business impact to respond to the challenges of our time.”
– Clay Brown, Co-Lead Executive of B Lab Global
your B Corp Partners
Are you considering certification, or preparing to recertify 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.
Check out our guide: How to Become a B Corp in 2025 or reach out to our B Corp experts to start your journey toward a better future.