In today’s business landscape, success is increasingly measured not just by profit margins but by the positive impact companies have on society and the environment. Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are at the forefront of this movement. These are for-profit companies verified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. By committing to consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders—not just shareholders—B Corps redefine what it means to be a successful business.
So, What is a B Corp?
A Certified B Corporation is a business that meets high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency across a range of social and environmental factors.
To become certified, a company must:
- Demonstrate verified positive impact on workers, customers, community, and the environment
- Amend its legal governance structure to be stakeholder-oriented, not just shareholder-driven
- Undergo a rigorous, independent assessment every three years through B Lab
Today, over 8,000 businesses across 95 countries—including Patagonia, Allbirds, and Ben & Jerry’s—proudly hold this designation.
How Did B Corp Certification Work Until Now?
Historically, certification relied on the B Impact Assessment (BIA)—a 200-point questionnaire measuring performance across five key areas:
- Governance
- Workers
- Community
- Environment
- Customers
To certify, companies had to:
- Score at least 80 points on the BIA
- Pass a review by B Lab analysts
- Make legal commitments to stakeholder governance
This approach allowed flexibility. For instance, a company could offset a weaker environmental score with stronger community engagement. While practical, this model opened the door for inconsistencies and accusations of “impact gaps.”
What’s Changing in the New 2025 Model?
The new B Corp standards, published in April 2025, aim to close those gaps by replacing the flexible scoring system with non-negotiable performance requirements in key impact areas.
The shift includes:
The 7 mandatory Impact Topics:
- Purpose & Stakeholder Governance
- Climate Action
- Fair Work
- Human Rights
- Environmental Stewardship & Circularity
- Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI)
- Collective Action & Ethical Conduct
Each topic includes clear requirements, such as:
- Committing to science-based climate targets
- Providing living wages
- Conducting human rights due diligence
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Engaging transparently in public policy
B Lab has also introduced continuous improvement requirements, with specific progress milestones expected after 3 and 5 years of certification.
When Do the Changes Take Effect?
- April 2025: New standards officially published
- Until June 30, 2025: Companies can still recertify under the old standards
- Starting 2026: First cohort begins certification under the new standards
All companies will be expected to transition as part of their next certification cycle.
Why This Matters
The new approach brings greater credibility and consistency to the B Corp brand. It ensures that every certified company:
- Walks the talk across all impact areas
- Aligns with leading frameworks like GRI, SBTi, and UN SDGs
- Has a verifiable, measurable impact
For companies serious about sustainability, this change is welcome. It turns the B Corp badge into a true benchmark for responsible business.
🛠 How CarbonSuite Can Help
Whether you’re a current B Corp or preparing for the new model, CarbonSuite provides the tools to support your certification journey:
- Track your Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions
- Benchmark against key environmental KPIs
- Automate disclosures that align with B Corp and other ESG frameworks
- Monitor and adjust your reduction targets in real time
CarbonSuite is the only Built for NetSuite solution for the mandatory changes to the B-Corp. As certified experts in both NetSuite and sustainability reporting, CarbonSuite helps you streamline and integrate your sustainability process within your existing financial and operational processes in your NetSuite ERP system.
CarbonSuite uses Built for NetSuite features like our Emission Workbench and our AI Data Scanner to automate the sustainability reporting process. Our SuiteApp ensures that you stay compliant and up to date with sustainability reporting mandates.
Make your B-Corp Certification a breeze by using NetSuite to get prepared today. Contact us to get started.
