description B Lab Overview
Behind B Corp certification, B Lab is a nonprofit organization that develops standards for businesses' social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Its framework asks companies to consider how their decisions affect stakeholders beyond shareholders, including workers and the communities where they operate. Certification connects a company's stated purpose with requirements for its practices and governance. B Lab also works toward a more responsible and equitable economy through its wider network and support for stakeholder governance.
It is relevant to mission-driven businesses seeking a structured way to examine their impact, and to people assessing corporate responsibility. What distinguishes its approach is the connection between measurable business practices and formal accountability, rather than relying only on a company's public promises.
help B Lab FAQ
What does B Lab actually certify when a company becomes a B Corp?
B Lab certifies companies through the B Corp Certification process, which evaluates social impact, environmental practices, governance, workers, and customers. Certified companies must meet a minimum verified score on the B Impact Assessment.
Is B Lab the same thing as a benefit corporation?
No. B Lab is the nonprofit behind B Corp Certification, while a benefit corporation is a legal corporate form available in some jurisdictions. A company can be one, both, or neither depending on its certification and legal structure.
Do well-known companies actually have B Corp Certification?
Yes. Companies such as Patagonia and Ben & Jerry's have been widely associated with the B Corp movement. Certification is meant to signal verified standards rather than just a self-published sustainability claim.
Why do companies have to recertify with B Lab?
B Corp Certification is not a one-time badge, because businesses can change ownership, policies, suppliers, and operations. Recertification pushes companies to keep meeting B Lab's standards over time.
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