Your path to B™ Company Certification
Becoming a B Company is to validate that the success of your business is intrinsically linked to its positive impact. But do you know where to start? Explore here everything you need to start your certification process successfully.
What is B Corp Certification?
B Company Certification is a comprehensive verification that validates an organization's social, environmental and governance impact, ensuring that it meets the high levels of performance required by the B Lab™ Standards.
Becoming certified as a B Company sends a powerful signal to your stakeholders - customers, employees and investors - that your business is committed to responsible practices that benefit people and the planet, not just shareholders.
By obtaining it, your company joins a global movement that uses the power of the market to build a more inclusive, equitable and just economy. Unlike other certifications, the B Corporation certification makes a legal commitment to protect its mission in its bylaws, ensuring that its purpose endures over time.
How long does certification last?
Under the B Lab Standards (Version 2), the B Company Certification cycle lasts 5 years.
During this period, companies go through different verification instances that ensure compliance with the standards and progress in their continuous improvement process. This includes audits and sub-requirements at key moments in the cycle, particularly in years 0, 3 and 5, the latter being the time of the recertification audit.
What to expect and how to prepare
The path to B-Company Certification begins with your registration at B Impact™, our free, customized sustainability management tool.
Through this platform, you will perform an in-depth impact assessment: a comprehensive diagnostic that measures your company's current performance against the B Lab Standards. This process will allow you to report key information about your company's 7 Impact Issues and draw a clear roadmap for your continuous improvement.
Looking for more details on stages, timing and additional resources? Find everything you need at Certification Process.
Collaborative work
To complete the process, it is likely that different people and areas within your company will be involved, as it will be necessary to gather information and evidence from different teams.
Preparation time
The certification process can take several months, depending on the company's level of preparation and the time it takes to gather the required information. Therefore, it is advisable to anticipate and prepare for each stage.
5-year cycle
Once obtained, the B Company Certification lasts for five years. During this period, the company undergoes audits at different points in the cycle: the initial audit (Year 0), a follow-up audit in the Year 3, and the recertification audit on the Year 5.
Associated costs
Eligible companies must submit their information for verification through B Impact and pay the corresponding rates during the process. In addition, to maintain certification and the license to use the Company B logo, companies must pay an annual certification fee each year.
Tips for before you start
Explore the platform B Impact
Before you formally start the process, you can create an account on the platform and familiarize yourself with the 7 Impact Issues. This will allow you to understand what kind of information and practices are evaluated.
Review the Fundamental Requirements
Within B Impact You will find the Fundamental Requirements, where the basic conditions that companies must meet to advance in the B Company Certification process are reviewed.
Involve different areas of your company
The information needed to complete B Impact usually comes from different teams, such as Human Resources, Operations, Finance or Sustainability. Involving these areas from the beginning makes the process much easier.
Think of the process as a tool for improvement.
Beyond obtaining B-Company Certification, many companies are using B Impact as a guide to identify opportunities for improvement and strengthen its impact practices.
Shall we begin?
Create an account in B Impact and start exploring how your company can move towards B-Company Certification.
Are you looking for strategic advice on how to measure and manage your impact?
Connect with the official network of B. Business Consultants.
Independent professionals trained by Sistema B™ in the B Lab™ Standards V2, ready to lead the transformation of your business and guide you on your path to B Corporation™ Certification.
