CERTIFYING ON THE B LAB STANDARDS

At B Lab, we are committed to evolving our standards to address the complexities of global challenges and drive meaningful impact. We are in a moment of transition, and we acknowledge this can feel a little uncertain. This page serves as a central resource, providing comprehensive information and support for both existing B Corps and companies pursuing certification for the first time. 

It’s important to be aware of new developments that might impact your certification journey—this hub is designed to keep you informed and on track (don’t miss links to key resources at the end of the page).

In April 2025, we introduced our reimagined standards, designed to be more robust and relevant than ever. Once certification on the new B Lab Standards begins in 2026, they will be B Lab’s main offering. It’s important that we are collectively using cohesive language to describe them and clearly indicate the version of the standards that a company is meeting. To reflect this evolution, and to account for future updates, we’ve introduced a new naming and versioning approach:

*The new B Lab Standards (released April 8th - 11 August 2025) are formally considered V2.0, noting that in the PDF downloadable version of the new standards released at that time was referred to as V1.0.

We want to be as transparent as possible about upcoming dates and milestones that your company might need to know as you prepare for certification on the new B Lab Standards. Here’s what we know (updated August 12, 2025): 

August 2025: Standards Refinement and Scope Clarification

• B Lab Standards V2.1 Update: The latest version of the B Lab Standards has been updated, incorporating feedback and learnings since its April 2025 launch. Please note, as part of this update, several sub-requirements and compliance criteria have been merged or removed for clarity. This has led to numbering changes to some sub-requirements. Additionally, some sub-requirements under Climate Action (CA1.2, CA3.6, CA3.7) were made applicable to all sectors, including the “Service with Minor Footprint” sector to correct an error in the previous version. To understand where changes have occurred, you can see the full change log here.

• Risk Tool Questionnaire Published: One of the most significant updates in V2.1 is the introduction of a Risk Tool (Foundation Requirement 3.1: The company creates a risk profile and meets any additional sub-requirements) to identify and manage risky practices not addressed elsewhere in the standards. You can learn more about the Risk Tool here. If your company is preparing to certify on B Lab Standards V2.1, we encourage you to get familiar with the 14 questions and understand how the results might impact your company’s certification. This content has been published in B Impact, simply navigate to Self-Assessment > Foundation Requirement 3.1 to view. Please note: While you can see the content and anticipate your answers, additional sub-requirements won’t be automatically added to your Self-Assessment— this functionality will be integrated in the coming months.

• New Scoping Rules Published: Detailed rules for determining which company entities are in scope for certification, based on a company’s corporate structure, are now published— you can read them here. Scoping rules will be integrated into the Assessment Setup journey the coming months. 

• Pilot Testing in Progress: Pilot programs are currently underway with a cohort of B Corps to test new scoping and track rules within the Assessment Setup feature, ensuring the correct requirements are applied to your company’s Self-Assessment. Speak to your regional representative if your company would like to be included in upcoming pilots. 

By the end of 2025: Full Digital Experience and Certification Requirements Guidelines

• Full Assessment Setup Launch: The complete Assessment Setup process will be available for all recertifying companies including integrated scoping rules. Companies will be encouraged to revisit the Setup process and Self-Assessment to answer any newly applied questions. 

• Risk Tool integrated into the Self-Assessment: The Risk Tool will be integrated into B Impact enabling companies to interact with the questionnaire, applying relevant sub-requirements to their Self-Assessment where they answer ‘yes’. 

• Certification Requirements for B Corps: A set of requirements and accompanying guidance for prospective and recertifying companies. This will help companies to obtain and maintain their B Corp Certification, including information on:

  • Requirements and process steps for application, certification scoping, self-assessment, audit by a B Lab approved third-party assurance provider, addressing nonconformities, and the certification decision.

  • What the certification cycle will look like, covering the type and frequency of auditing the B Lab Standards for Year 0, Year 3 and Year 5 sub-requirements.

  • Requirements for maintaining the certification over the certification cycle, and recertification.

    • Please note, the documentation needed to meet the Performance Requirements is still being defined through ongoing pilot tests, due to finish in late 2025. Once concluded, further information will be provided— we anticipate this to be January 2026.

• Further information on Pricing: B Lab will provide information regarding the pricing and fee structure for B Corp Certification on the new B Lab Standards.

Early 2026: Brand Guidance and Performance Requirements Certification Guidance 

• New B Corp Brand Book shared: A detailed guide outlining the proper use of the B Corp logo, intellectual property, and associated taglines will be released.

• Performance Requirements Requirements Certification Guidance: Further information on what evidence is needed to meet the Foundation and Impact Topic requirements will be shared.

To begin your certification journey, follow these steps:

Step 1: Initiate Your Journey with B Impact

Access B Impact, B Lab’s project management tool designed to facilitate the measurement and management of your company’s impact across social, environmental, and governance areas. This platform provides:

• Transition Planning: Support to help plan your transition to the new standards through the Self-Assessment.

• Organizational Support: Features to keep your certification progress organized.

• Progress Tracking: Real-time updates on your B Corp journey.

Your personalized homepage will offer insights into company strengths and areas for improvement, track progress, and provide access to relevant resources. For recertifying companies, existing company details will be automatically transferred, allowing you to access your current assessment or review past assessments. Watch the video to learn more about the new platform.

Step 2: Review the Requirements

Navigate to 'Self-Assessment > Requirements' within B Impact. Here, you can review how the new B Lab Standards apply to your specific company context, and understand your Year 0 requirements—the initial set of requirements under the new system.

The B Lab Standards emphasize continuous improvement. All businesses will be required to demonstrate year-over-year progress, with initial requirements set for Year 0, followed by additional requirements after 3 and 5 years. This approach encourages progressive adoption of the new standards. Information on this phased adoption is available here. You can also download the complete requirements (Year 0, 3, and 5 as they apply to all companies) here.

Please note: If your company has previously certified or created a B Impact Assessment account for Version 6 of the standards, your Year 0 requirements displayed in B Impact are likely influenced by this historical data. We are currently conducting a pilot program for our newly defined scoping and track rules with a select group of companies. All B Corps will be asked to revisit the Assessment Setup process in B Impact to ensure they are meeting the correct requirements based on their scope. The full launch of this new process is scheduled for later in the year, and we will communicate any necessary actions required from your company.

Step 3: Begin Your Self-Assessment

Once you have reviewed the standards, proceed with your Self-Assessment. For each sub-requirement, you will indicate your company’s current status. Your responses will populate a dashboard that identifies key gaps, tracks the number of requirements met, and highlights areas for focused improvement.

Completing the Self-Assessment is an essential preparatory step for certification and a valuable tool for ongoing impact management. Additional documentation may be requested during the verification process, with further details to be provided by B Lab.

Step 4: Stay Informed on Standards Updates

As companies engage in Self-Assessments and verification processes are established, we will continue to refine our standards and processes based on insights gained. Thanks to those who have engaged with the tool or participated in pilot testing so far—your insights and data help us build a better experience. 

We will provide notice before major updates take effect, and any new versions of the standards will be clearly indicated.

To stay informed, follow B Lab’s social media channels and subscribe to your regional newsletter.

B Lab is actively exploring how Impact Business Models can continue to be integrated and valued within, and beyond, B Corp Certification. You can sign up here to engage in the development process.