UK firms could be decertified in B Corp standards overhaul

B lab – a global non-profit responsible for issuing B Corp certifications, which signify a company is going above and beyond the average when it comes to social and environmental performance – is majorly overhauling its scoring criteria.

The changes are being made in response to several high profile cases of large, multinational companies achieving B corp status, despite falling short in key areas related to environmental impact and workplace culture. 

The changes to the organisation’s points-based system could see huge numbers of UK businesses teetering around the minimum thresholds for a number of categories lose their status.

B Corp changes standards

The B Corp movement started in the mid-2000s. Over the past two decades, it’s become one of the most widely-revered ethical certifications a company can achieve.

Until now, if a B Corp business had fallen short in one of the five B Corp assessment areas, it could simply “make up” the points in another area. If a business achieved an average score of 80 points across these five categories, then they were certified as a B Corp.

However, under the new, stricter regime, this will not be possible. All businesses will have a baseline standard in every one of the non-profit’s seven new core categories, including “Environmental Stewardship & Circularity”, “Government Affairs & Collective Action” and “Human Rights”.

In other words, if you come in under the specified points total in one category, you won’t be certified at all.

Big names to blame

The move comes after several big-name companies with B Corp status were named and shamed in the news for sub-par business practices. 

Among those that hit the headlines was beleaguered beer brand Brew Dog, which publicised its B Corp status, but was also accused of fostering a toxic work environment. 

However, as the Guardian reports, they are not the only certified business that has kicked up a stir. When Coffee giant Nespresso was awarded B Corp status in 2022, for instance, it prompted an open letter from the Oregon-based non-profit Fair World Project criticising the decision, while natural soap brand Dr. Bonner handed back its own certification in protest.

International food group, Danone, also won the accreditation despite accusations that it was not addressing its packaging waste issues; and that it was just a greenwashing bid. 

B Corp certification explained

As we’ve covered, previously, ventures need to get at least 80 points out of a potential 200 to be certified. This is their B Impact Assessment (BIA) score and must be updated and verified every three years. 

To get their score, businesses must answer around 200 questions, which B Lab says are “tailored to your company’s size, sector and location”. These questions are designed to measure a business’ positive impact in categories from employee wellbeing through to environmental footprint. 

The process also includes filling out a disclosure questionnaire highlighting “sensitive practices, fines, and sanctions related to the company”. 

Along with needing to reach a baseline threshold in seven core categories, applications will now also have to be rubber-stamped by an external organisation.

What does this mean for UK B Corp businesses?

For the majority of the more than 2000 ventures in the UK that have achieved B Corp status, this will just be a paperwork exercise when they come to reapplying. This is because the majority – including many of the Startups 100 2026 nominees – are way above the threshold. 

However, The Guardian says there are hundreds of UK companies sitting on or slightly above the 80 point threshold, and therefore may struggle with new certification rules. 

Others, such as Startups 100 alumni Presto Coffee, have a B Corp rating of 95.3 points, so will likely find it easier to recertify.

The target, though, appears to be larger companies, and it’ll go a long way in ensuring that the B Corp certification remains something to aspire to .