Explore the B Lab Standards
The B Lab Standards define social, environmental, and governance practices for purpose-driven businesses. Learn more about what you can find in our standards, and how they drive our mission of economic systems change.
A globally recognized framework for lasting business impact
About the B Lab Standards
The B Lab Standards are at the heart of the B Corp movement, and our Theory of Change. They are the foundation of not only B Corp Certification, but our policy work worldwide, supporting our mission of building an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative global economy.
Our standards are developed with the B Lab Standards Advisory Council, an independent, multi-stakeholder group composed of members from around the world with backgrounds in business, government, academia, and the nonprofit sector.
A blueprint for business impact
As the climate crisis intensifies and societal inequality grows, the need to bring about systemic change is clear. Since B Lab was founded in 2006, we have continually evolved our standards to equip companies to manage their impact and drive meaningful, sustainable change.
In 2025, we launched the latest version of our standards, raising the bar for responsible business by establishing minimum requirements across seven key social, environmental, and governance topics. Get to know the requirements for businesses here.
Download the B Lab Standards in full
Explore the new standards in their entirety, available to download in multiple languages.
Breaking down the B Lab Standards
Understand our framework for lasting business impact.
Part 1: Foundation Requirements
The first step in a company’s certification journey is meeting the Foundation Requirements. This ensures that your company is fundamentally suitable for B Corp Certification before you take the next step.
Part 2: Impact Topic Requirements
Our Impact Topic requirements help companies take concrete actions across seven key social, environmental, and governance areas. This integrated approach gives a broader assessment of a company’s true impact. From taking action on the climate crisis to human rights, the standards have been designed to raise the bar on what it means to be a purpose-driven business, giving companies a clear blueprint for leadership in responsible business practices.
Impact Topics
Purpose and Stakeholder Governance
Companies act in accordance with a defined purpose and embed stakeholder governance in decision making.
Climate Action
Companies take action to combat the climate crisis and its impacts.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Companies have inclusive and diverse workplaces and contribute to just and equitable communities.
Government Affairs and Collective Action
Companies play a leadership role in fostering shared understanding and implementing solutions toward an equitable, inclusive, and regenerative economy.
Fair Work
Companies provide good quality jobs and have positive workplace cultures.
Human Rights
Companies treat people with dignity and respect their human rights.
Environmental Stewardship and Circularity
Companies demonstrate environmental stewardship and contribute to the circular economy in their operations and value chain.
Understand B Corp Certification
Individual paths to certification
Different companies will have different paths to B Corp Certification, with tailored requirements depending on size, sector and industry. We call this your company’s “track”. We also have an equity mechanism to ensure the standards are fairly implemented worldwide, accounting for companies that face unequal conditions based on their location and political landscape.
The benefits of B Corp certification
B Corp Certification signals to your customers, employees, and investors that your business is committed to making a difference. It connects you to a global community of like-minded, purpose-driven leaders taking collective action on society’s most critical challenges, and helps your company stay relevant, compliant, and trustworthy in a changing world.
A credible business framework
B Corp Certification is a globally recognized framework for purpose-driven businesses, and we maintain a rigorous process to keep certification credible and trustworthy. The certification process starts with a self-assessment against the B Lab Standards, which is later independently verified and audited by a third party based on ISO 17021-1 requirements.
A commitment to continuous improvement
B Corp Certification isn’t a one-off; it’s a commitment to continuous improvement. During the certification journey, B Corps are expected to continuously improve their impact over a five-year period, which ensures that the community evolves alongside global challenges and pushes the boundaries of what responsible business can achieve.
Assess your company against the B Lab Standards
Sign up to our impact management tool, B Impact™, to take a free self-assessment to see how your company measures up.