B Corp Certification isn’t set-and-forget. Our standards shouldn’t be either. It only makes sense that B Lab’s standards evolve and shift to meet the needs of society and our planet.
B Lab’s new, strengthened global standards challenge us all to level up our collective efforts. We all need to raise the bar for responsible business. Following the release of these standards, we have just launched a new, online, self-paced training resource: ‘Raising The Bar: Understanding B Lab’s New Standards. This training course is designed to support our local B Corp community, aspiring B Corps and impact-driven businesses in navigating these updated standards with confidence and clarity.
We’re buzzing to introduce you to our new training resource and what you can expect. But first, let’s refresh – what are the new standards?
What are the new B Lab standards?
After four years of consultation, with more than 26,000 pieces of feedback and input from over 1,000 stakeholders, B Lab has just launched the most significant evolution of the B Corp standards to date. The result: a bold new blueprint for what it means to be a business in 2025 and beyond, galvanising action on the world’s most pressing issues.
The new standards feature a range of refreshed criteria, including foundational eligibility, accountability mechanisms, and enhanced requirements for larger companies, among others.
Notably, certification decisions will now be made by independent third parties, not B Lab itself. This is to increase impartiality and bring an additional layer of independence.
Perhaps one of the most significant changes, however, is the move away from cumulative points scoring towards minimum requirements which B Corps must meet across all seven impact topics: Purpose and Stakeholder Governance, Climate Action, Human Rights, Fair Work, Environmental Stewardship & Circularity, Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, and Government Affairs & Collective Action.
What can you expect from ‘Raising The Bar: Understanding B Lab’s New Standards’?
This free, self-paced online training program is designed for participants to gain a deeper understanding of the new standards, feel equipped to embed them in policy, and put them into practice within the context of their own workplaces. It is composed of eight modules in total: an introduction to the new standards, followed by seven modules that deep dive into each of the seven impact topics.
Module One
In this Introduction to B Lab’s New Standards, explore high-level changes in the new standards and how they drive a movement to transform the economic system and use business as a force for good.
Module Two
Here, we’ll discuss Government Affairs & Collective Action—driving positive change beyond our own workplaces by engaging with external stakeholders and broader systems.
Module Three
Learn about the concept of Purpose and Stakeholder Governance—ensuring businesses are accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
Module Four
In this module, we dive into the topic of Fair Work—building workplaces where employees feel valued, heard, and empowered.
Module Five (Coming September 2025)
Understand new standards pertaining to Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and how they encourage us to establish inclusive and diverse work environments and contribute meaningfully to just and equitable communities.
Module Six (Coming September 2025)
Explore what the new standards require in terms of Environmental Stewardship & Circularity, including resource responsibility, regenerative practices, and climate resilience.
Module Seven (Coming October 2025)
In this module, we’ll cover the new standards surrounding Human Rights, which include understanding and addressing how your business may impact rights across the value chain.
Module Eight (Coming October 2025)
In our final module, we explore the role of Climate Action in B Lab’s new standards, including the development of science-based targets, plans to keep global warming within 1.5°C, and GHG emissions for larger companies.
Will this training help me in completing the B Impact Assessment (BIA)?
This collection of courses is not designed to guide you through B Impact itself, but rather to offer a more thorough deep dive into the new standards in a self-paced course format.
For further assistance completing your BIA, consider our comprehensive Beyond the Basics online course, engaging a B Consultant, or reaching out to our team. You might also like to connect with B Corps in your area through your nearest B Local community.
Who should enrol?
‘Raising The Bar: Understanding B Lab’s New Standards’ is designed for current and aspiring B Corps. In particular, individuals in leadership and impact positions, as well as those who head up the business’s Certification and involvement in the B Corp community (aka beekeepers). Current or aspiring B Consultants will also benefit from gaining a deeper understanding of the new requirements in order to best guide their clients through the B Corp journey.
However, the training is open and free to all, and we warmly welcome anyone with an interest in B Corp to enrol!
Boost your confidence in B Lab’s new global standards
Set yourself up to navigate the new standards with clarity, apply them with confidence, and smoothly introduce your team to this new generation of what it means to be a B.
Click here to enrol and get started on the introductory module.
Seeking more information on the new standards? Download B Lab Global’s New Standards Guide.
