Navigating the New B Corp Standards

B Corp certification has always been about raising the bar for business, proving that companies can thrive while creating positive impact for people and the planet. From 2026, that bar will move higher, with new B corp standards designed to make certification clearer, more consistent, and more impactful.

At Climate Logic, we see this as a positive step forward for the B Corp community. The updated framework strengthens credibility while offering businesses a practical roadmap for continuous improvement.

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What’s Changing

The biggest shift is that certification will no longer be based on reaching 80 points in the B Impact Assessment. Instead, companies will need to meet specific requirements across seven core Impact Topics:

• Purpose and Stakeholder Governance – Embedding purpose and accountability into decision making, contributing to an inclusive and regenerative economy.
  
• Fair Work – Providing quality jobs and building positive workplace cultures.
  
• Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) – Fostering diverse, inclusive workplaces and supporting equitable communities.
  
• Human Rights – Respecting and protecting the dignity and rights of people.
  
• Climate Action – Taking measurable steps to address the climate crisis.
  
• Environmental Stewardship and Circularity – Reducing impacts, supporting the circular economy, and contributing positively to ecological systems.
  
• Government Affairs and Collective Action – Playing a responsible role in shaping fair, inclusive, and regenerative economies.
  

Alongside these, Foundation Requirements apply to all certified businesses, covering governance structures, legal accountability, and transparency commitments.

A Roadmap for Continuous Improvement

Certification is no longer a one off milestone. The new standards are designed as a phased journey of improvement:

• Year 0: Companies must meet the baseline requirements to achieve certification.
  
• Year 3: Businesses are expected to build on this foundation and comply with new requirements.
  
• Year 5: Companies must demonstrate further progress, while maintaining all earlier commitments.
  

This cumulative approach ensures that B Corps continue to raise their impact over time, reinforcing the principle that certification is an ongoing journey of accountability and leadership.

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Why This Matters

These changes are designed to ensure all B Corps, regardless of industry or size, are meeting robust standards in the areas that matter most. They make certification more consistent, easier to understand, and better aligned with global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals and science based climate targets.

Most importantly, they reflect the heart of the B Corp movement: that being a force for good means balancing social, environmental, and governance responsibilities, and continually striving to improve.

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What Businesses Can Do Now

For those considering certification or preparing for recertification, this is a good time to:

• Familiarise yourself with the new standards and what they require.
  
• Assess where you stand today, identifying both strengths and opportunities for improvement.
  
• Plan for the long term, as some areas, such as climate targets or supply chain engagement, take time to implement.
  
• Engage your team, embedding certification into culture rather than treating it as a compliance exercise.
  

Taking these first steps now will make the transition to the new model smoother and more strategic. Climate Logic can support businesses at any stage of this journey, from mapping readiness to helping embed long term improvements.

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Looking Ahead

The introduction of these new standards is an exciting milestone for the B Corp movement. It means certification will better reflect holistic, accountable impact and highlight businesses that are not only doing good today but are committed to doing better tomorrow.

For companies, this is a chance to embed purpose more deeply, strengthen resilience, and contribute meaningfully to the global challenges we all face. At Climate Logic, we will continue to share insights and practical guidance to help organisations prepare, adapt, and get the most value from their B Corp journey

Get in touch today and get your B Corp Journey Started!

Our B Corp consulting is driven by Jarrod Bosanko, a B Consultant, trained by B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand.

The B Consultants training program, run by B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand, trains consultants committed to supporting companies to improve their social and environmental impact, and to become Certified B Corporations.

At Climate Logic, Jarrod helps purpose-driven Australian organisations navigate the path to certification with clarity, structure, and impact.