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Everyone Is Talking About B Corp

Writer's picture: Melika CorneliusMelika Cornelius

Updated: Oct 31, 2024

3 years ago someone mentioned B Corp and I didn’t have the slightest idea of what it was. But now? I'm confident that most people have at least encountered it, even if they’re not fully aware of it. Whether it’s while doing their weekly grocery shopping, grabbing their daily coffee, or simply scrolling through social media, that small "B" logo keeps appearing. And people are starting to pay attention.


So what is it? And why are people making such a big deal about it?


B Corp is a movement, a framework, a community, and a certification.

Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are companies verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. To certify, B Lab, a non-profit organisation requires companies to complete a rigorous assessment process where they are evaluated on their performance across five areas: 


  • governance

  • workers

  • community

  • environment

  • customers


For businesses, obtaining certification is a tangible way to demonstrate their commitment to social and environmental responsibility. It demonstrates that they are using their business as a force for good, putting employees, customers and the environment first.


B Corp Certification demonstrates that businesses are using their business as a force for good, putting employees, customers and the environment first.

However, B Corp Certification goes beyond product and sourcing or single-issue areas. It measures the company’s overall impact on society and environmental impact, taking into account the entire value chain. The verification process, by B Lab’s admission, is tough and demands attention, which allows businesses to identify areas on which they can improve and ensures that they don’t just talk about their values but are making a real & impactful change.


A true representation of continuous improvement, B Corp Certification requires companies to go above and beyond to ensure they meet the requirements, not an easy feat when the standards are constantly changing. Businesses are also required to re-certify every 3 years for accountability and ongoing transparency, ensuring they still meet these high standards after initial certification.


So how tough is it?

To certify, businesses must score a minimum of 80 points (out of 200) - sounds pretty straightforward right? Wrong. 1 in 3 companies fail to certify, scoring around the 50-point mark when they begin their B Corp journey. Plus achieving 80 points on the B Corp Impact Assessment (BIA) is the threshold for eligibility for B Corp certification, which means certification itself is not guaranteed.


Let's break it down - the process falls into the following phases:


  • Initial Assessment (BIA): Companies typically start with a baseline score of around 50 points, and through improvements in practices, policies, and performance, they can work their way up to the 80-point minimum required for certification.

  • Verification: Once a company hits the 80-point threshold in the self-assessment, the next step is the verification process. During this phase, B Lab (the non-profit behind B Corp certification) reviews and verifies the company's responses. It’s common for a company’s score to drop during this review, as B Lab may ask for clarification or additional evidence for the claims made in the assessment.

  • Certification: After the verification, if the company’s score remains at or above 80 points, they can earn certification, which is valid for three years (companies are required to reassess and re-certify at that time to ensure continued compliance and improvements).


Without an advocate or driving force within the business, it can take several months, even years to meet the standards - a combination of the assessment work involved, together with the verification wait times dependent on B Lab themselves.


Is it worth all the effort?

B Corp certification exists to help companies comprehensively address pressing social and environmental problems, providing a holistic framework and evaluation of a company's impact on society and the environment. It’s a trusted and credible certification that ensures businesses are continuously creating positive impact over time and provides consumers, employees and the public with a way to identify and assess responsible businesses.


Businesses that become B Corps have also seen great results: committed and motivated employees, increased customer loyalty, higher levels of innovation, and market leadership. It also helps with employee retention given that you are actively demonstrating your commitment to care for people and the planet, above profit.


With over 2000 companies in the UK now B Corp Certified (4000+ worldwide), the certification also extends an invitation to the Global B Corp Community. Aligned by purpose and practice, these like-minded businesses have the opportunity to network with other values-based corporations across the globe. They want to show there is a difference between being a good company and a company with good marketing.


What is the value?

Many businesses find that benchmarking and improving their score is one of the biggest values of their certification. However, whilst going through the verification process itself allows businesses to capture their current impact, it’s actually maintaining the certification that turns the B Impact Assessment into an ongoing management tool, ensuring they continue to improve and integrate the mission across departments.


Great! It’s an excellent framework, though it does require a significant amount of work—meaningful work, but work nonetheless. However, the long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term effort. Many people assume that the real beauty of B Corp Certification lies in its immediate environmental impact. But in reality, it's the positive effects on people that truly make it worthwhile. 


We all understand the urgency of becoming more sustainable to protect our planet. Yet, in a cost-of-living crisis where families are struggling to heat their homes or afford nutritious meals, prioritising the environment and making financial commitments to a sustainable future can feel overwhelming. 

We all want to make a positive impact

Interestingly, the 2023 Polman Report highlighted that two-thirds of UK employees want to work for companies making a positive impact on the world. Nearly half even said they would consider resigning if their company’s values didn’t align with their own, despite the current economic challenges.



Where does that leave us?

We all want to make a positive impact. We all know that we should be more sustainable, yet the bottom line is it’s difficult to do so. So why go down this path in the first place?


Here's the positive impact:


  • The certification process forces companies to look at every aspect of the business from waste to energy usage, the impact on the community, and more. Looking at all the aspects helps companies see where exactly they are and what goals they want to set to improve. 

  • B Lab reports that B Corps are found to be equally successful at securing external finance, and often, customers appreciate companies that care about more than just profits, leading to increased brand loyalty and marketing.

  • When staff are focused, productivity increases and efficiency improves, leading to better overall outcomes for the business.

  • Businesses have to continually demonstrate how their business is creating benefits for the people and the environment, creating credibility and brand integrity.


Are you convinced?

Most people aren’t fully convinced—at least not at first. The idea of transforming an entire business model to meet demanding standards can feel overwhelming (there's that word again). But when you peel back the layers, it becomes clear that the benefits of B Corp Certification go beyond the bottom line. It’s not just about being seen as a "good company," but about embedding purpose into the very fabric of the business.


For consumers, B Corp represents trust and transparency. In a world where "greenwashing" and superficial marketing claims abound, the B Corp seal gives assurance that a company is walking the walk. For employees, it means working for a company that aligns with their values—an increasingly important factor for job satisfaction and retention. And for investors, it signals long-term sustainability, both in terms of profitability and ethical responsibility.


At its core, B Corp isn't about achieving perfection. It’s about committing to a path of continuous improvement, ensuring that businesses adapt and grow in ways that benefit all stakeholders—people, planet, and profit. And that’s why B Corp has gone from a little-known certification to a movement that’s reshaping how we define success in business.


In the end, the question is less about whether B Corp certification is worth the effort and more about whether businesses can afford not to make the effort. As consumer awareness grows, and as the world faces increasingly urgent social and environmental challenges, the call for responsible business practices will only get louder.


So, are you ready to answer that call?

The good news is that we can help and support you through this journey - if you would like to find out more about B Corp, the journey or how we can assist you, please download our free guide. Alternatively, get in touch below!




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