The B Corp standards are undergoing the most significant change in its history. B Lab, the certifying body, has been working diligently to evolve the standards to ensure that B Corps remain leaders in social and environmental impact.
In our July Breakfast Briefing, we took a look at the latest updates, exploring how they will impact aspiring B Corps and current B Corps looking to recertify after 2026 – from the different challenges they may face when certifying, to the various opportunities they have to make a positive impact. Our Cofounder and Chief Impact Officer, Amy Bourbeau, was joined by Joey van den Brink, Head of Certification & Standards at B Lab Europe, to share their insights and recommendations for the evolving B Corp standards.
Watch the recording to recap, or discover some of the key takeaways below.
What changes can we expect?
The world is facing unprecedented challenges, from the global climate crisis, the cost of living crisis and the ongoing social crisis. We at Seismic, along with B Lab believe that businesses can play a critical role in addressing these issues, and the evolving standards aim to reflect this. The new changes seek to be clearer, more impactful, and more responsive to the changing landscape. Here are the key changes you need to know:
- From points to minimum requirements: The current B Impact Assessment (BIA) uses a points-based system, but the new standards will focus on meeting minimum requirements across 10 core impact topics.
- Increased transparency: The new standards will provide clearer guidance on what is expected of B Corps, with detailed explanations of each requirement and how to comply.
- Focus on continuous improvement: Businesses will be required to demonstrate ongoing progress and improvement on their impact over time
What this means for your business
The changes coming into place will effect your business depending on where you are in your B Corp journey. For existing B Corps, if your recertification is due by the end of 2025, you will still use the current standards. For recertifications and beyond, you will need to transition to the new standards.
Businesses that are considering B Corp certification can still certify under the current standards if they begin the process soon. However, it’s we recommend that teams familiarise themselves with the new standards and prepare for the transition.
Even if you’re not seeking certification, the news standards provide a valuable, holistic and robust framework for building a strong sustainability strategy, which is why we encourage businesses who are building their sustainability strategy to also familiarise themselves with the standards to improve their environmental and social impact.
Next steps
In order to stay ahead of the curve, here are 4 recommendations for how you can prepare for the upcoming changes:
- Stay informed: Keep up to date on the evolving standards by keeping up with updates B Laband Seismic.
- Conduct a gap analysis: Identify where your business is currently meeting the new standards and where there are opportunities for improvement.
- Start planning: Develop a high-level plan for when and how your business will engage with the new standards.
- Take action: Begin implementing changes to your business practices to align with the new standards.
Your partner for change
The evolution of the B Corp standards is an exciting development for the movement. It’s a chance for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to social and environmental impact and to be part of a global community working towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
If you’d like to learn more about how your business can approach the new standards, speak to a B Corp expert.
