A Certified B Corporation, or B Corp, is a for-profit company that meets high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. This certification is issued by B Lab, a global nonprofit organization that assesses a company’s entire impact from supply chain practices to employee wellbeing and governance. Unlike standard sustainability efforts or CSR initiatives, B Corp certification signals that a business values more than just profits and actively balances purpose and profit.

What sets B Corp apart?

B Corporations stand out because they:

• Operate under a legally binding commitment to consider the impact of decisions on all stakeholders, not just shareholders.

• Complete a B Impact Assessment (BIA) that measures their effect on workers, community, customers, environment, and governance.

• Undergo independent verification and recertify every three years to maintain credibility.

• They are part of a global movement of businesses driving systemic change through ethical operations.

B Corp status is not for a single product or service. It is a review of your entire company’s impact.

Who can become a B Corporation?

Any for-profit business, regardless of size or sector, can apply to become a Certified B Corporation. This includes:

• Startups (with at least 12 months of operations)

• SMEs offering professional services

• Global brands with complex supply chains

• Mission-driven social enterprises

B Lab offers tailored certification tracks depending on business size, revenue, and structure. Whether you’re a two-person firm or a multinational, the pathway is accessible.

The B Corp certification process

Certification typically includes several key phases that assess a company’s readiness, performance, and legal accountability.

Foundation requirements: your starting point for B Corp certification

All businesses must meet B Lab’s Foundation Requirements regardless of size or sector before progressing to impact-related criteria. These foundational elements ensure that a business is ethically grounded and structurally ready for certification.

• Meet Eligibility Criteria: The business must be legally incorporated, in operation for at least 12 months, and in compliance with applicable local and national laws.

• Commit to Stakeholder Governance: Companies must adopt the B Corp Legal Requirement, embedding stakeholder governance into their legal framework. This includes signing the B Corp Declaration of Interdependence, which affirms accountability beyond shareholders.

• Conduct a Risk Assessment: Using B Lab’s risk profiling tool, companies assess their risk exposure and determine any additional due diligence requirements needed for certification.\

Impact topic requirements

Once the Foundation Requirements are met, companies must take meaningful, measurable action across B Lab’s new Impact Topic standards, which aim to define what it means to be a responsible, forward-thinking business. These include:

• Purpose and Stakeholder Governance: Embedding purpose and inclusive governance into decision-making structures.

• Fair Work: Ensuring job quality and cultivating a positive workplace culture.

• Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI): Building inclusive workplaces and supporting equitable communities.

• Human Rights: Respecting and upholding the dignity and rights of all individuals.

• Climate Action: Proactively addressing the causes and impacts of climate change.

• Environmental Stewardship and Circularity: Minimizing ecological impact while promoting sustainable practices and circular systems.

• Government Affairs and Collective Action: Contributing responsibly to public discourse, economic infrastructure, and systemic change.

Depending on a company’s sector, size, and location, they may be subject to between 20 to 124 specific requirements. Additionally, eligibility for equity mechanisms varies by region and business model.

For more details, please visit B Lab’s official standards page.

Why B Corp certification matters in 2025 (and beyond)

• As the demand for ethical and sustainable business practices intensifies, B Corp certification offers:

• Credibility and trust with customers, investors, and partners

• A framework for continuous improvement in ESG performance

• Access to a global community of like-minded businesses

• Differentiation in a crowded marketplace

• A magnet for purpose-driven talent

In regions such as Southeast Asia, where ESG regulation is accelerating, certification can serve as both a compliance advantage and a strategic signal.

The B Corp movement

The B Corporation movement is expanding rapidly. As of 2024:

• Over 7,000 Certified B Corps exist in 90+ countries and 160+ industries

• Notable B Corps include: Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, Allbirds, and Natura

• B Lab Global and its regional partners support growth across APAC, Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

This growing community champions the belief that business can be a force for good through verified action.

Fuller Impact is also a certified B Corporation

We’re proud to share that Fuller Impact is a Certified B Corporation, joining a global community of businesses committed to using profits and growth as a force for good. This certification reflects our dedication to high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. With a verified B Impact Score that highlights our strengths across governance, workers, community, and the environment, this milestone reinforces our mission to equip others with the knowledge and tools to drive meaningful, lasting change.

• View us here: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/fuller-impact/

• Explore the B Corp Directory to discover global examples.

Ready to Become a B Corporation?

If your organization is exploring B Corp certification, Fuller Impact can guide you every step of the way. Through our expert-led courses, workshops, and advisory support, we help businesses navigate the certification process with clarity and confidence, from understanding the Foundation Requirements to preparing your B Impact Assessment. Start your journey toward meaningful impact with the right tools, structure, and guidance.

Contact us today.