B Lab Standards & EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT) Directive

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What is ECGT and who’s impacted?
• What does this mean for your B Corp Certification?
• What is the first step?
• You’ve self-identified as ECGT-impacted. What next?
• What if I did not submit on V2 by July 15, 2026?
• What if I don’t take any action by September 27, 2026?

What is ECGT and who’s impacted?

The Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (ECGT - Directive 825/2024/EU) seeks to enable consumers in the European Union (EU) to make informed purchasing decisions that contribute to more sustainable consumption practices – a goal that B Lab shares. EU Member States must transpose the directive into national law by March 27, 2026, with the new rules becoming applicable on September 27, 2026. 

For B Corps, this matters because ECGT changes the legal context for how sustainability labels and claims can be used in the EU. As a certifying organization operating in the EU, B Lab has been actively preparing for ECGT for years, building awareness and relationships in Brussels. Our policy team has engaged with legislators, certification peers, legal, and assurance specialists to understand how this directive impacts us and develop our approach to meeting its requirements. 

In 2025, we officially communicated to B Corps that under B Lab’s new certification model and B Lab Standards V2, B Corp Certification meets the legal requirements for a valid sustainability label in the EU. Our new third-party verification system uses ISO 17021-1 accredited assurance providers. In January 2026, we launched new logo use and claims guidelines for B Corps. That means companies certified under the new standards and third-party assurance model will be able to communicate their B Corp status with confidence.

We are closely following the ongoing development of the transposition of ECGT into national laws by EU Member States. We empathize with the challenges B Corps face in responding to legislation that is still evolving. We will keep the community informed of any changes in our position or approach.

What does this mean for your B Corp Certification?

ECGT applies to companies that engage in business-to-consumer (B2C) communications in the European Union (EU). Like data privacy or other consumer protection laws, companies can be impacted regardless of their own geographic locations.

If your company is one of those impacted by ECGT, early action is important. B Lab's recommendation for these companies is to recertify on the new standards (V2). Companies that intend to recertify before the ECGT rules start applying should begin working in B Impact and submit their self-assessment as soon as possible.

While recertification may not be finalized before the ECGT rules start to apply on September 27, 2026, submitting on V2 is the clearest way to demonstrate that your company is actively working toward compliance and to reduce your legal and reputational risk in the meantime.

→ Find out more about the benefits of recertifying with V2 standards.

What is the first step?

The first step is to self-identify in B Impact, telling us whether or not your company is impacted by ECGT.

Self-identification helps B Lab understand which companies are affected by ECGT so we can provide the right communications and support.

How to self-identify:

• Log in to B Impact: Go to your company account in B Impact and sign in.

• Open your account settings: In the top-right corner of the screen, click on your profile initials.

• Select “Manage account”: From the dropdown menu, click Manage account.

• Go to the Company section: In the left-side menu, select Company.

• Find the “Regulatory Information” section: Scroll until you see Regulatory Information.

• Locate the ECGT field: Find the section labeled ‘EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT)’.

• Click “Add”: Click Add to complete the self-identification step.

• Confirm whether your company is impacted: Indicate whether your company is impacted by ECGT.

• Once completed, your response will be saved in B Impact.

You’ve self-identified as ECGT-impacted. What next?

1. After you self-identify as ECGT-impacted, B Lab will contact you via email to confirm your self-identification and outline next steps.

   • If your company has self-identified after July 15, 2026 → Go to this section.

2. Start your recertification process and complete the Self-Assessment, available now in B Impact.

3. Submit for recertification as soon as possible 

   • If your company submitted its self-assessment by July 15, 2026: 

     • Your company can continue using the B Corp logo and making certification‑related claims while your recertification is being completed, even if the audit process is not fully finalized by September 27, 2026. 

     • B Lab does not guarantee that recertification will be completed by September 27, 2026, as timelines depend on auditor availability, your company’s readiness, and the outcome of the verification process. 

4. Adopt new logo use and claims guidelines, in compliance with the new brand book, by August 31, 2026.

What if I did not submit on V2 by July 15, 2026?

After July 15, 2026, ECGT‑impacted companies that have not submitted their self-assessment are expected to sign the 2026 Amendment to the B Corp Agreement to continue using B Corp intellectual property while they work toward recertification on V2.

Companies that choose this alternative will:

• Remain a certified B Corp on V1.6. 

• Commit to complete recertification on V2 by your next scheduled recertification date as reflected in B Impact.

• Adopt new logo use and claims guidelines by August 31, 2026.

• Sign an amendment to your current B Corp agreement by September 27, 2026, including:

  • A liability waiver, agreeing not to take legal action against B Lab in the event of any ECGT-related challenges resulting from your choice to continue using the B Corp logo and claims before recertifying on V2.

  • Agreement to the terms of the updated third-party verification process.

  • An acknowledgment that V2 and the updated certification process are an evolution of the current B Corp certification.

• Assume heightened legal risk, including potential lawsuits under ECGT.

Even if your company is ECGT-impacted and has not submitted on V2 by July 15, 2026, and needs to sign the Amendment, B Lab’s strong recommendation remains the same: prepare your B Impact self‑assessment on the new B Lab Standards (V2) and submit as soon as possible.

What if I don’t take any action by September 27, 2026?

ECGT-impacted B Corps that do not submit their self-assessment on the V2 Standards by July 15, 2026, nor sign the 2026 Amendment to the B Corp agreement by September 27, 2026, will lose the right to use the B Corp logo or refer to themselves as Certified B Corporations.

Companies must remove all use of the B Corp logo, trademarks, and certification claims across all current materials and channels (including packaging, marketing materials, digital platforms) by September 27, 2026. 

These companies may not engage in any public communication about their certification.

• B Lab will not confirm their certification if asked by journalists or other members of the public.

• Companies may participate in community events, but they cannot imply or claim certification (e.g., participating in B Corp panels, B Corp Month campaigns, etc.).

• B Lab will not refund certification fees since only companies that fail to respond to the other options will be in this situation.

If the company later completes recertification under V2 and signs the new B Corp agreement, they will be able to adopt the new logo guidance and claims and once more refer to themselves as a Certified B Corporation.

While strict, this measure is not intended to be punitive. 

• As a global, interdependent movement, we must protect trust in our certification and the reputation of B Corps that do comply.

• B Lab may take legal action to protect our community and trust in our brand.