Large companies
B Lab will be launching the new standards for B Corp Certification in 2025. To facilitate the transition to the new standards, B Lab is no longer accepting new applications under the current Large Enterprise or MNC Approach until further notice.
B Lab sincerely appreciates the commitment of businesses to drive positive impact at scale. Therefore, we aim to ensure that all companies newly applying for B Corp Certification are able to certify under the most updated and impactful framework. The B Corp certification process varies based on size and complexity, and the certification of large enterprises and multinational corporations is a multi-year process. To accommodate the longer, more complex process for larger companies, all new large company applicants will begin their certification journey under the new standards to prevent disruptions. Therefore, B Lab is no longer accepting new applications under the current Large Enterprise or MNC Approach until further notice.
If you have any questions or need guidance in preparing for the new standards, please don't hesitate to contact us at certification@bcorporation.uk.
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When will you hear more?
Once the new standards are launched, clear guidance will be provided on how companies can engage with them, learn from them, and prepare to participate in the certification process in the future.
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Which companies are affected?
Companies that fall into B Lab’s Large Enterprise Approach - this includes large companies and multinational corporations (MNCs) that fall into one of the following categories:
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Companies that have consolidated annual revenues between $100M – $1B that operate in more than one country and have over 10 subsidiaries; or
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Companies with annual revenues above $1B, regardless of complexity.
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How can affected companies still prepare for B Corp Certification?
We encourage businesses to start preparing for the new standards, which are scheduled to be published in the coming months. In the meantime, companies can explore the latest draft standards to get a head start.
You can also reach out to us at certification@bcorporation.uk for support and advice on getting ready for the new standards.
Which businesses will need to follow this pathway?
All companies with $1bn+ in revenue will be required to proceed through this approach, as well as companies $100m+ with a significant level of complexity (e.g. numerous subsidiaries, locations in various countries and/or operating in multiple industries).
If you think this could apply to you, get in touch with us and we will determine whether this certification process is appropriate for your business.
Companies with $5bn+ in revenue would be required to join our B Movement Builders programme.
Related entities
Some larger businesses may want to begin engaging in the B Corp Movement by certifying a subsidiary well suited for B Corp Certification. Find out more about our rules for certifying related entities.
The multi-stage Large Enterprise Approach
This process represents a more manageable pathway to B Corp Certification for larger or more complex businesses over time. Additional costs will be incurred for each required stage featured below, determined by company revenue.
1. Application
Large Enterprises and Multinationals interested in B Corp Certification are required to submit an application to evaluate the readiness and needs of their company as well as identify key risks that may preclude them from Certification. The application form will be provided by B Lab UK following confirmation of the approach and will collect key preliminary information about the company’s culture, structure, operations and impact.
2. Risk screen
This risk screen is a review of sensitive or controversial aspects of a company’s performance that are not explicitly featured in the company’s B Impact Assessment (BIA) score but nonetheless may affect the company’s eligibility for certification. For large and complex companies, or companies that operate in potentially controversial industry spaces, B Lab’s risk screen process provides an early indication of sensitive or controversial issues related to a company’s operations or industry, and will empower the company early on in its B Corp Certification journey with any relevant or impactful risks and concerns specific to company eligibility. For some companies this is a required stage but for most it will be optional.
3. BIA performance consultation
The company may choose to take a BIA performance consultation, which is a 6-8 week long learning opportunity for the company and B Lab’s Certification Team to exchange and discuss information to better understand the company’s strategy to meet the 80 point bar performance requirement for B Corp Certification. The BIA Performance Consultation has been designed to enable the company to gain experience in B Lab’s verification techniques and identify impactful improvement strategies before entering the actual resource-intensive Verification Process, thereby increasing the chances for a for the company to meet the B Corp Certification Requirements.
4. Scoping
During scoping, companies provide B Lab with information regarding the comprehensive structure of the business and how it is managed. This information will be reviewed to determine the company’s appropriate path to verification, including the number of B Impact Assessments the company will be required to take and the scope of each of those assessments.
5. Assessment and improvement
In this stage of the certification process, a company begins reporting and managing its impacts through the necessary B Impact Assessments, and integrates operational improvements as needed. The company must score above 80 points on the BIA overall and will need to dedicate both time and resources to making score improvements as necessary.
6. Verification
As a company exceeds 80 points and is ready to submit its BIA/s for score verification, B Lab will work with the company to verify each B Impact Assessment score through assessment review calls, supporting documentation and/or site reviews at B Lab’s discretion.
7. Certification
Upon achieving B Corp performance requirements as verified by B Lab, a company will be issued their B Corp Agreement, which contains the terms and conditions of its Certified B Corporation status, including the conditions of its ongoing recertification. Once the B Corp Agreement is signed, the company will receive guidance on communication for the announcement of its certification as well as access support and materials exclusive to the B Corp Community.
Complex structure guide
How to determine your scope and understand how your company structure impacts your B Corp Certification.
Embracing stakeholder governance
Download a guide to meeting the B Corp Legal Requirement for Boards and Investors.
