02 Mar 2026
The B Corp cheat sheet:
- B Corp is short for Certified B Corporation
- Brands are independently certified by B Lab
- Evaluated on their social and environmental impact
- Required to meet high standards across 5 key areas
- Recertified every 3 years
Ever spotted a small circular symbol on smol packaging that’s just the letter “B”?
That little mark means B Corp certification and it’s one of the most respected standards a business can earn.
Becoming a B Corp takes months (sometimes years). It’s tough to get but 100% worthwhile.
so what does B Corp actually mean?
It means a company has gone through a rigorous (and independent) assessment to show it operates responsibly. Not just financially, but socially and environmentally too.
To become certified, a company must:
- Complete the B Impact Assessment
- Score at least 80 out of 200 points
- Pass a risk review
- Legally commit to considering all stakeholders (not just shareholders)
- Publish its impact profile publicly
- Recertify every three years
In other words it means a brand is accountable ongoing… they haven’t just earned a one-off badge.
who certifies B Corps?
B Corp certification is awarded by B Lab, a nonprofit organisation that was founded in 2006.
B Lab assesses companies across five impact areas:
- Governance (ethics, transparency and accountability)
- Workers (pay, benefits, working conditions and culture)
- Community (supply chains, diversity and local impact)
- Environment (emissions, waste, materials and resource use)
- Customers (product responsibility and value)
Thousands of companies are now certified. Over 27,000 in the UK alone, from household names to smaller challenger brands (hello!).
why do companies become B Corps?
Because (thank goodness) modern business is changing. Companies recognise now the value in this certification to:
- Build trust with their customers
- Attract and hold onto employees whose values align with the business
- Strengthen governance and accountability
- Join a global community of like-minded businesses
- Drive long-term business resilience
why B Corp status matters.
For decades, success in business has been measured by profit. And now B Corps are challenging that idea. They believe businesses should:
- Be a force for good
- Reduce harm where possible
- Create positive impact for workers, communities and the planet
- Think long term
It’s certainly NOT about being perfect but it IS about being accountable. And in a sector flooded by greenwashing and scaremongering… we think this B Corp matters.
is smol a B Corp?
Yes. B Corp is now baked into our operations:
- Designing concentrated products that cut unnecessary water and waste
- Reducing chemical load without compromising performance
- Investing in initiatives like hygiene poverty support
- Building a business model that prioritises long-term impact
It holds us to a standard and that’s why we value it.
B Corp FAQs
what does it mean if a company is a B Corp?
It means the company has been independently assessed and certified by B Lab for meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.
is a B Corp the same as a nonprofit?
No. B Corps are still for-profit businesses, they’re just structured to balance profit with purpose. Nonprofits also operate under a different legal and tax structure.
how do companies qualify for B Corp certification?
They must complete the B Impact Assessment and score at least 80 points. They must also meet baseline standards, legally commit to stakeholder governance and agree to public transparency.
how often do B Corps have to recertify?
Every three years because certification isn’t permanent.