Guidance for all B Corps due to recertify in 2026 and 2027

Modified on Fri, 20 Mar at 2:00 PM

Purpose

Recertification Routes for B Corps

Brand Requirements

Transition Period

Approximate Audit Timelines

Subsequent Audits

Related Resources

Purpose

From February 2026, existing B Corps have been able to certify against the Y0 requirements of the V2 standards.

This guidance outlines the required recertification routes for B Corps with recertification due dates in 2026 and 2027. Guidance for companies with recertification due dates after 2027 will be provided in due course.

Aspiring B Corps certifying for the first time are not covered by this policy. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for information relevant to this group.

Recertification Routes for B Corps

We encourage all B Corps to submit their completed self-assessment as soon as possible to secure a place in the audit queue. The latest date a B Corp may submit their self-assessment for audit is their current recertification due date.

Special provisions apply to B Corps affected by the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT - Directive 825/2024/EU) Directive, which applies to companies that engage in business-to-consumer (B2C) communications in the European Union (EU). If you think your company is in the scope, please let us know. Find more information here.

Company Profile	Recertification Route	Notes
1. B Corps affected by ECGT (regardless of recertification date)	Companies in this group have two options: Pathway 1 (Recommended): Recertify by September 27, 2026. Submit your assessment as soon as possible. The latest possible date to submit your assessment is July 15, 2026.	If you do not submit your assessment by 15 July 2026, you will automatically move to Pathway 2.
	Pathway 2: Submit your assessment by your current recertification due date. Sign the Amendment to the B Corp Agreement by September 27, 2026 and submit your assessment by your current recertification due date.	If you choose this option, your company will assume heightened legal risk, including potential lawsuits under ECGT. We strongly encourage you to seek advice from your own legal advisers before deciding.
	Companies that don’t select either of these pathways lose the right to use the B Corp IP after the 27th of September 2026.
2. B Corps not affected by ECGT with recertification due dates in 2026 and 2027	Submit your completed self-assessment as soon as possible. The final deadline to submit your self-assessment is your current recertification due date.	If you are unsure of your recertification due date, please contact your Account Manager, or Global / Country Partner contact.

Additional Information

Brand Requirements

All B Corps, regardless of recertification dates, must update all digital and newly printed materials to comply with the new Brand book.

Transition Period

As we are in a transition period with new standards and audit processes, B Lab may refine submission guidance as we learn more about process timelines. Updates will be published if policies change.

Approximate Audit Timelines

As companies progress through the audit process, we are gaining further insight into typical timelines. Approximate audit timelines are outlined below and are intended to support planning and decision-making.

Audit scheduling: The audit will be scheduled within 50 days of clicking “submit” in B Impact.
Audit duration: Audits typically require 1–10 days, depending on company size (companies operating multiple sites may require additional time for site sampling)
Certification decisions: An audit report is shared at the end of the audit process. This details the results of the audit, whether any non-conformities were found, and the overall certification decision. A positive certification decision can still be made if the company has only minor non-conformities. If major non-conformities are identified which prevent a positive certification decision, the company will be afforded 6 months to close major non-conformities, resulting in a final certification decision for the initial audit.

Subsequent Audits

Certification is valid for five years, however, companies must undergo subsequent audits to maintain their certification.

Following a positive certification decision after the initial audit, the Assurance Provider (AP) will schedule subsequent audits 12, 24 or 36 months from the “certification valid from [x]” date listed on the certificate (see AP Certification Requirements 9.6.1.1).

For more information on pre-audit actions that a company has to complete before a subsequent audit, see Table 7 (p. 40) in the document Certification Process Requirements for B Corps.