B Corp Certification: The New Standards are in Effect

If you've been curious about B Corp certification or you're already certified, as shared in our prior post, 2025 marked a significant turning point. B Lab, the non-profit behind the B Corp certification, has launched its most substantial overhaul of the certification standards to date. Here's what's changing, why it matters, and what to do next.

What is B Corp certification?

B Corp certification recognizes businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. It's a globally recognized signal that a company is genuinely committed to using business as a force for good. The certification is not easy to achieve, which is precisely why it is valuable. You cannot greenwash your way into B Corp certification; it takes hard work and dedication.

How have the B Corp standards changed?

The new standards, launched in April 2025, replace the old points-based model with a more rigorous framework. Rather than scoring 80+ points across five broad impact areas, which allowed companies to offset weak spots with strong ones elsewhere, businesses must now meet minimum requirements across seven non-negotiable impact topics, including fair work, climate action, and stakeholder governance. These requirements are tailored to your companies' size, industry and market. Certification will also move to independent third-party auditing, making the process more credible and greenwashing-resistant.

When do the new standards kick-in for our company?

• The timeline depends on where you are in your certification journey:

• Certifying for the first time? You'll need to certify under the new standards.

• Already certified and recertifying this year? You'll transition to the new standards with a 12-month extension on your recertification date.

• Operating in the EU? If you use your B Corp certification in consumer-facing communications, you'll need to recertify under the new standards by 27 September 27th, 2026 to comply with the EU's new green claims rules (ECGT).

• Recertifying from 2027 onwards? All recertifications will be on the new standards.

Why this matters

These changes raise the bar; and that's a good thing. The new standards are designed to ensure B Corp remains a meaningful, trustworthy mark of impact rather than a box-ticking exercise. For businesses serious about sustainability, this is an opportunity to deepen your commitment and stay ahead of increasingly demanding regulations.

Not sure where to start?

Navigating B Corp certification and meeting a new standard can feel overwhelming, especially alongside running a business. This is where we can help. Good Clout Consulting works with companies at every stage: whether you're exploring B Corp for the first time, preparing for recertification, or trying to understand what the new requirements mean for your specific business. Feel free to get in touch to find out how we can help.

Photo credit: B Lab

Source: Clay Brown, B Lab US & Canada, October 2025