FAQs: What to know about Pending B Corp Status

• What is happening to the Pending B program?
• When will the Pending B Corp program officially end?
• Why is B Lab discontinuing the Pending B Corp program?
• If my company is currently a Pending B Corp, what does this mean for us?
• Are there any changes to the annual Pending B Corp fees?

1. What is happening to the Pending B program?

The Pending B program is being officially discontinued. As we transition to the new B Lab Standards and align with upcoming global regulatory requirements such as ECGT, the Pending B status is being deactivated globally to mitigate potential reputational and legal risks.

2. When will the Pending B Corp program officially end?

The ability to apply for Pending B Corp status will be March 2026, alongside the cut off for submitting for certification on Version 1.6 of the standards. 

Companies that are already Pending B Corps can continue using the license/claiming their Pending B Corp status until their “expiration” date, except for ECGT impacted companies who should discontinue use in September 2026. That means, if B Lab issues a Pending B Corp in September 2026, the last possible date that Pending B status ends is either September 2027 for mature markets and September 2028 for early-stage markets. Please speak to your regional B Lab representative to understand how companies in your region are categorised.

3. Why is B Lab discontinuing the Pending B Corp program?

This decision is driven by two key factors:

• Regulatory Compliance: To comply with new European legislation (specifically the ECGT Directive) coming into effect in September 2026, B Lab must ensure its programs meet the necessary requirements to remain a recognized certification scheme in Europe. Continuing the existing Pending B program poses legal and compliance risks.

• Standard Transition: The discontinuation aligns with the global sunsetting of the V1.6 standards, allowing us to focus all efforts on the transition to the new V2.1 B Lab Standards.

4. If my company is currently a Pending B Corp, what does this mean for us?

• Your company must still pursue and achieve full B Corp Certification under the standards applicable at your renewal date.

• Your ability to continue using the Pending B Corp logo will depend on specific factors, including whether your company is impacted by the upcoming European ECGT Directive. Please look for further communication regarding logo usage guidelines.

5. Are there any changes to the annual Pending B Corp fees?

No. B Lab is not planning on making any changes or decreases to the annual Pending B Corp fees. The current pricing will remain the same. Pipeline companies can choose to proceed with their existing status or pause and wait to submit on the new V2.1 standards for full certification if the program changes do not meet their needs