What is B Corp?

B Corp is a certification that documents for-profit companies taking responsibility toward society, their employees, the environment, and all stakeholders beyond ordinary profit-focused operations. This certification is granted by focusing not only on the company’s financial performance but also on its social and environmental impacts, governance structure, transparency, and accountability. Thus, companies document that they adopt “a responsible, fair, transparent, and sustainable business model” rather than just “making money.”

B Corp represents a corporate understanding that recognizes ethical, social, and environmental responsibility at an institutional level and considers all stakeholders. It’s not just a “green marketing” logo but a documented commitment system; however, as with many systems, there are aspects we need to question as consumers. In this article, we will examine the B Corp certification in all its details.

Who Founded It, When, Why?

B Lab is a non-profit international organization that manages the B Corp certification process. Founded in 2006, the organization’s goal was to spread the understanding of “working in the business world not only with a profit focus but also by creating value for society and the planet.” The first B Corp certifications began to be issued in 2007. From that day to today, B Lab has been certifying companies by evaluating them not only on financial performance but also in many areas such as environmental impacts, social responsibility, governance, and supply chain.

B Corp Certification Process

A company that wants to become a B Corp goes through the following steps:

1. B Impact Assessment: The company is undergoing a comprehensive assessment of its governance, employees, community and supply chain, environment, and customers. This assessment measures the company’s operations, business practices, and environmental and social impacts.
2. Scoring/Basic Compliance: The traditional system required a minimum score of 80 out of a maximum of 200 on the B Impact Assessment. However, by 2025, the system has changed: instead of a flexible points-based system, companies are expected to meet minimum “mandatory standards” in all core areas. *
3. Risk Assessment & Transparency: Factors such as the company’s scope of operations, supply chain structure, and production processes are subject to a risk assessment. Additionally, the company’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and corporate governance is examined.
4. Governance & Purpose: The company must commit to acting in favor of stakeholders, not just profits, in its decision-making processes, and this must be reflected in its corporate bylaws. In some countries, this commitment requires a legal amendment; if this is not legally possible, the company must sign a “B Corp Agreement.”
5. Recertification/Continuous Improvement: Certification is not a one-time requirement; reassessment and renewal of certification against current standards are typically required every three years. This allows companies to continually review their performance.

The most significant change in 2025: B Lab Europe and B Lab Global have revised their standards, introducing more stringent, measurable, and traceable criteria. The new standards specifically prioritize environmental responsibility, climate action, supply chain transparency, governance, environmental and social impact, as well as the assessment of “potentially harmful risks.”

This approach strengthens B Corp’s claim to be not just a “goodwill + marketing” model, but also an “accountable, transparent, and ethical” model.

Environmental Responsibility Criteria

The environmental responsibility criteria for the B Corp certification have become much clearer, more ambitious, and more comprehensive with the 2025 update compared to previous years. Below is concrete information about these criteria:

New Standards and Mandatory:

• New standards (B Lab Standards V2.1), published in 2025, introduce minimum performance requirements for all companies. The old, flexible, points-based system is being replaced by a “basic compliance + continuous improvement” model.
• These standards specifically address environmental responsibility and climate action.

Environmental Liability Assessment Scope

The following environmental and responsibility criteria are examined when evaluating companies:

• Carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG): Companies must measure, report, and develop plans to reduce their emissions.
• Ecological impacts & circularity: Factors such as production processes, resource use, water consumption, waste management, packaging, recycling, and supply chain material selection are reviewed. The company is expected to minimize harm, maintain sustainable procurement, and manage waste and post-waste processes.
• Transparency of supply chain & raw material sources: Issues such as the source of raw materials, suppliers’ working conditions, and the environmental/social impacts of production are reviewed.
• Transparency & accountability: Certified companies must publicly disclose their environmental/social performance, greenhouse gas inventories, action plans (e.g., a climate action plan), and sustainability policies. This transparency enables consumer and stakeholder oversight.
• Corporate governance & stakeholder-focused decision-making: Issues such as the company’s bylaws, decision-making mechanisms, and management structure are also reviewed. The goal here is a governance system that is not solely profit-oriented but also considers stakeholders such as employees, the community, and the environment.

Process & Audit

• With its 2025 renewal, B Lab announced a shift to a third-party verification and independent audit model. This means that, in addition to companies’ own reporting, independent auditors will also be required to assess performance, transparency, and compliance.
• This change aims to enhance the credibility of B Corps and provide transparency and accountability against criticisms of greenwashing.

Criticisms, Controversies, and Limitations—Why Not Every B Corp Is Perfect

While B Corp certification is an important step, there are some points where this system is criticized or questioned. Understanding these points is crucial for being realistic, both for the consumer and the brand:

• The 2025 update to the standard led some brands that had experienced B Corp experience to withdraw from the process or announce that they would “re-evaluate.” This demonstrates that certification is not a static process, but a dynamic and evolving one.
• Some critics question the lack of radical improvements in areas such as supply chain, waste, and single-use packaging among large companies that have received B Corp certification in the past; or the fact that the certification is used as a “label” for marketing purposes rather than for genuine environmental/social responsibility.
• In sectors such as beverages, alcohol, and consumer goods: The certification assesses the company’s sourcing, production, and management processes; however, issues such as the product itself, its packaging, and where and how post-consumer waste ends up can still remain controversial. This reminds us that B Corps are a tool for “impact reduction,” aiming to “minimize harm” rather than “eliminate impact.”
• More importantly, even if certified, it’s essential to regularly monitor the company’s policies, reports, and commitments; to question green claims; and to focus on independent assessments and transparency. Otherwise, the certificate may remain just a logo or marketing tool.

These criticisms are not meant to belittle the logic and potential of B Corp; they demonstrate the need to use it correctly, read it correctly, and be careful to achieve real impact.

What is B Corp?

It is a reference but not an absolute guarantee.

B Corp certification is a strong reference for those seeking a “conscious, responsible, and transparent business model” in the modern business world. It demonstrates that companies can take responsibility for the environment, community, and employees, as well as financial success. It offers a broad assessment scope, from the supply chain to packaging, from production to management structure.

However, this doesn’t always translate to perfection or “full sustainability.” Certification is a starting point or a commitment. The true impact depends on how seriously a company takes these commitments, its level of transparency and accountability, and the entire ecosystem, from the supply chain to the after-sales service.

The updates made in 2025 have made this commitment more robust, but this isn’t enough to simply say “certified = problem-free.” Critical thinking, monitoring, and transparency are still essential.

This article aimed to explain what B Corp is, how it works, and in which areas it offers a significant accountability mechanism. However, the final assessment is up to conscious consumers, entrepreneurs, and communities like you.