Spotlight on: what the new B Corp standards mean for you
Jessica has supported dozens of leading brands on their B Corp journeys. She is co-founder of Twelve, a B Corp certified sustainability consultancy that works with brands like Finisterre, Charlie Bigham’s, Pukka Herbs to help them have more positive impact. In this Spotlight on article she gives an overview of the upcoming changes to B Corp as an ‘insider’ to the B Corp movement.
A major shift is coming for businesses striving to be a force for good. The B Corp movement is evolving, and with it, the standards that define responsible business leadership. In 2025, the new B Corp standards will roll out, replacing the existing flexible scoring system with clear, minimum requirements across seven critical social and environmental impact areas.
For businesses in Bristol – whether large or small, B Corp certified or not – these changes are an opportunity to measure yourself against a high bar for ethical and sustainable business practices.
The bigger picture
This isn’t happening in isolation. Globally, sustainability progress is at a crossroads. In the US, climate and social policies are being rolled back, while here in the UK and EU, we’re seeing more regulation, compliance, and corporate accountability. Meanwhile, the polycrisis continues to deepen.
The message is clear: as governments flail, businesses need to step up – not just to tick compliance boxes, but to lead with integrity towards a liveable and socially just future. The new B Corp standards provide a roadmap for exactly that.
Why the change?
For those of us familiar with the B Corp framework, we can all agree – it’s due an update. The current standards have been in place since January 2019, and the world has changed a huge amount since then. The new framework is designed to reflect this reality, setting a higher bar for business as a force for good.
Five key changes you need to know about the new standards
1. No more scores
The 80-point threshold is going, and businesses will no longer get a numerical score. Instead, businesses must meet or exceed clear minimum standards. This is a big deal – the old flexible scoring system meant companies could cherry-pick the areas they were good at while neglecting others (which has allowed weaker businesses to certify). The new approach raises the bar and ensures businesses meet a well-rounded set of requirements across all impact topics. Which brings me on to my next point…
2. New impact topics
The familiar five pillars (Governance, Workers, Environment, Community, and Customers) are being replaced with seven impact topics, including a stronger focus on human rights, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI), and climate action. This shows how some areas that were buried away in the old assessment are now being put front and centre, so their importance cannot be ignored.
3. Stronger recognition for Impact Business Models (IBMs)
Businesses that embed impact at their core will now be recognised with new ‘levels’ (e.g. Developing or Leader), giving them greater flexibility in meeting other criteria. The details on this are still emerging but this is one to watch.
4. New digital platform
The B Impact Assessment platform is getting a much-needed refresh. It will be a lot easier for businesses to understand if they are eligible for B Corp at the start of the process, and we understand that the tool will be more user-friendly and less overwhelming too.
5. Encouraging collective action
One of the most exciting updates is that all certifying businesses must now participate in collective action – in other words taking steps to drive positive impact outside your immediate business. This could be through mentoring other businesses, knowledge sharing, or industry-wide collaborations, or general thought leadership activities. This shift acknowledges that no business can change the world alone, and it actively encourages cross-sector learning.
Why this matters (even if you’re not a B Corp)
Even if your organisation isn’t a certified B Corp – or isn’t eligible due to its legal structure – the new standards provide a best-practice framework for responsible business. They offer a solid foundation for sustainability strategy, governance, and social impact – and a free tool to explore them. Sustainability practices are under fire right now, and this provides a welcome north star – and a beacon for positive practices.
Want to get ahead?
You can check out the draft standards on the B Lab website now, before the final version lands in the next few months (we’re told June 2025 at the latest). Then all businesses (certifying and recertifying) will be using the new standards from January 2026. Most of the details are already in place, so there’s no reason to wait to see how you match up against the new standards – we are already doing this work with some of our clients.
Jessica will be sharing more updates and insights as the new standards roll out in the coming weeks and months. If you want to stay in the loop, sign up for her newsletter. Or get in touch with her: www.twelvefutures.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-ferrow/.
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