B Lab's New Standards are here - B Lab UK

New B Lab Standards

In April 2025, B Lab launched new standards to ensure B Corps continue leading the way toward a more inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy.

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Latest update: the Certification Hub

B Lab has expanded the Certification Hub — your go-to place for updates and resources if you are certifying under the new B Lab Standards.

You’ll now find:

  • Scoping Requirements Guide – information on Assessment Setup, which is used to determine eligibility and tailor your assessment based on company size, industry, and location

  • The full Certification Process Requirements and a handy overview

  • Examples of evidence for each of the seven Impact Topics

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Are you impacted by ECGT?

The Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT) Directive is a new EU legislation on green claims that may affect your B Corp Certification. This directive applies to any company making business-to-consumer (B2C) communications in the EU — regardless of your location.

All B Corps should let us know if you are impacted by ECGT by 30th November 2025 to ensure compliance and expedite your certification process. You can do this by updating your company details in B Impact.

An illustration in the shape of letter "B", composed of various icons symbolising key social, environmental, and governance Impact Topic areas.

Why certify under the new B Lab standards? 

Strengthen credibility: In the new certification model, your certification will be verified by a third-party assurance provider, demonstrating that your company upholds rigorous social, environmental, and governance standards.

Lead with purpose: The new standards move from a score-based system to having minimum requirements across seven Impact Topics, setting a clear benchmark for how businesses can address today’s most pressing challenges and adopt best practices.

Legislation compliance: Align with the EU’s ECGT Directive (see above for details) to reduce your company’s financial and brand damage risk.

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Your certification or recertification pathway

First time certifying? If you wish to certify on the old standards, Standard Approach companies have until the end of February 2026 to submit their assessments. We are no longer accepting new applications for Large Enterprises and Multinational Companies. If you are already in progress, please submit your assessment by the end of December 2025. 

For ECGT-impacted companies (see above for details), we recommend certifying on the new standards to ensure alignment with the changing EU regulation.

For recertifying B Corps, recertification under the old standards is now closed. All B Corps will transition to the new standards when their next cycle begins.

Pricing

The new certification process introduces independent assurance conducted by third-party auditors who verify company performance against the new B Lab Standards — an important and necessary step that strengthens the rigour and credibility of B Corp Certification.

However, we recognise that it is also a significant change for companies, especially those required to recertify in 2026.  To support our community through this transition, B Lab UK has committed to freezing its fees through 2026, meaning there will be no change in fees for new submissions and B Corps in 2026

  • What do the fees currently cover?

    Fees for B Corp Certification currently enable B Lab to continuously improve business standards, fund community engagement and advocacy efforts, all working towards driving positive systemic change. This includes: 

    • The use of the B Corp logo and IP: a name and logo now recognised by over half the UK population 

    • Engagement: B Corp community engagement activities and event coordination.\

    • Communications: delivery of marketing campaigns and ongoing internal and external communications.\

    • Verification/assurance: verifying company performance against B Lab’s standards

    • Standards, tech and accountability: continuing to develop the standards so that they remain fit for purpose for the future, the tech products that go alongside those standards, and the accountability mechanisms to ensure companies meet them

    • Policy and campaigning: developing and delivering advocacy work such as the Better Business Act to drive the widespread adoption of stakeholder governance at scale

    • Governance: management, finance and governance costs

    • Growth and training: activities to attract and support and develop new B Corps and B Leaders

    • Operating expenses: the day-to-day costs of doing business

  • Will fees change in the future?

    B Lab UK will continue to review the additional costs associated with third party assessments, increased diligence, and an enhanced certification experience to ensure the financial sustainability of the B Corp movement. Given the significance of the changes to our standards and certification process, it is likely that fees will change in the future.

How to prepare for certification under the new standards
1. B Impact

Sign up or log in to B Impact and complete the new Risk Profile and Assessment Setup.

2. Self-Assessment

Continue through the Self-Assessment to understand your company’s impact and identify gaps.

3. Certification Hub

Visit the Certification Hub for guides on scoping, certification, evidence requirements, and assurance providers.

4. Courses

Complete new B Lab Standards courses to build your understanding of the process and explore the seven Impact Topics.

Explore further

  

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How were the new standards developed?

The new standards were shaped over three years of extensive consultation with businesses, stakeholders and experts worldwide, incorporating 16,000+ qualitative feedback from 1,000+ stakeholders. Read the Second Consultation Summary Report.

What B Lab's Standards mean for business

The new standards mark a significant evolution of the standards in B Lab's history, offering a clear and actionable framework for businesses to raise the bar and navigate the world’s most urgent challenges. Read insights from business leaders and industry experts.

Ready to raise the bar together?

Still have questions?

Visit the FAQs or contact us at certification@bcorporation.uk.