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B Corp Certification in the UK: How to Get Certified Under the New Standards

B Corp certification in the UK changed in 2026. B Lab, the non-profit that runs it, replaced the 80-point B Impact Assessment with new standards: there is no longer an overall score to reach, and every company has to meet a fixed set of requirements across seven Impact Topics, with more added at year 3 and year 5. First-time applicants now certify on the new standards, and the decision is made by an independent assurance provider rather than by B Lab itself. This page explains the requirements, the five steps to certification, the legal change UK companies must make, and what it costs.

What changed with the new standards

Under the old model, a company answered around 200 questions in the B Impact Assessment and needed 80 points out of a possible 200 or so to certify. The points could come from anywhere, so a business strong on governance could make up for a weak climate record. The new standards close that gap. B Lab says certification now requires independently verified performance across all seven Impact Topics, from climate action to human rights.

The other big change is who decides. Previously, B Lab's own analysts reviewed the evidence. Now a B Lab approved assurance provider, working to requirements based on ISO 17021-1, assesses compliance, and B Lab says 100% of certification decisions are made by a third party. Companies already certified are moving across as they recertify.

The requirements

Foundation Requirements

Before the Impact Topics, every applicant passes the Foundation Requirements: eligibility checks on business type, size and sector, a review of risks and controversies connected to the business, and the legal requirement to embed stakeholder governance. Companies in some industries face extra scrutiny.

The seven Impact Topics

Each topic has requirements to meet at certification and further ones that apply at year 3 and year 5, scaled by company size, so a micro business is not held to the same tests as a multinational. If you are starting from scratch on emissions, our guides on measuring a carbon footprint and building a net zero plan cover the groundwork the Climate Action topic expects.

How to get certified: five steps

1. Check eligibility. Read the Foundation Requirements for your size and sector. Most UK limited companies, partnerships and sole traders can apply; check before you invest time.
2. Self-assess. Work through the requirements on B Lab's online platform, gathering evidence as you go: policies, payroll data, emissions figures, supplier checks and board minutes. This is where most of the time goes.
3. Make the legal change. Amend your articles of association to add the stakeholder governance wording (see below).
4. Verification. Submit, pay the submission fee and engage an approved assurance provider, who reviews your evidence, asks follow-up questions and decides whether you meet the standards.
5. Certify. Sign the B Corp agreement, pay the annual certification fee and follow B Lab's rules on using the logo and making claims. Certification runs on a three-year cycle.

Timescales vary with how much evidence a business already holds. A small firm with good records can move quickly; one writing its first policies from scratch should plan for months rather than weeks.

The legal requirement for UK companies

A UK company must change its articles of association so that directors are required to consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders, not only shareholders, using B Lab UK's model wording. It goes further than the existing duty in section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, which asks directors to have regard to employees, suppliers, the community and the environment while promoting the success of the company for its members.

Changing articles needs a special resolution, passed by at least 75% of votes cast, and a copy of the amended articles must be sent to Companies House within 15 days of the change taking effect. Talk to shareholders early, especially investors with consent rights. Our page on directors' duties under the Companies Act 2006 explains section 172.

What it costs

B Lab UK charges three fees, each set by revenue band and excluding VAT: a one-off submission fee, a verification fee and an annual certification fee. For a business turning over less than £150,000, year one comes to £1,560 (£200 submission, £360 verification and £1,000 annual fee). Our full breakdown is in B Corp certification cost in the UK. The bigger cost for most small firms is staff time spent gathering evidence, writing policies and answering the assurance provider.

Is it worth it?

B Corp status is recognised by customers, recruits and some investors, and the process forces a business to write down policies it may have meant to write for years. It is also a commitment: annual fees, recertification every three years and rising requirements at year 3 and year 5. And it is a certification, not a legal form. If you want a legal structure with an asset lock instead, compare it with a community interest company in our guide to B Corp vs CIC vs social enterprise. Whichever you choose, keep public claims accurate: the CMA can now fine businesses directly for misleading consumers, and our page on UK greenwashing rules sets out what that means.

Sources: B Lab, Certifying on the B Lab Standards and FAQs on certifying on the new standards (bcorporation.net and the B Impact knowledge hub); B Lab UK pricing; Companies Act 2006, sections 21, 26 and 172. Checked 17 October 2026. Back to the E-Business Ethics homepage.