In this interview, Armelle Duvieusart, Community & Impact Lead at B Lab Germany, discusses the new B Corp standards.
What exactly is the B Corp certification?
The B Corp certification is considered one of the most rigorous sustainability labels worldwide. For over 15 years, the B Corp movement has stood for a simple idea: businesses can—and should—be a positive force for people, society, and the environment.
Why was it time for new B Corp standards?
The climate crisis, social inequality, and supply chain risks require new responses. These global shifts led B Lab to update the standards, aiming to increase focus, impact, and clarity.
Which areas do the new B Corp standards cover?
From now on, seven impact areas take centre stage: Purpose & Stakeholder Governance (responsibility, transparency, and stakeholder engagement), Fair Work (fair wages, safety, worker representation, and workplace culture), Climate Action (measuring emissions and implementing climate transition plans), as well as Environmental Stewardship & Circularity (closing material loops and conserving resources).
Additional areas include Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (promoting diversity and participation, creating inclusive workplaces and products/services), Human Rights (due diligence across the entire value chain), and Public Policy & Collective Action – responsible lobbying and engagement both locally and globally.
What exactly is changing?
The new standards place even greater emphasis on impact and accountability. It’s no longer just about scoring points for good practices (outputs), but about the actual positive outcomes that contribute to global systems change.
To get certified, companies must meet specific minimum requirements in each of the seven areas. Certification will now also be conducted by an accredited third party, increasing transparency. Regular progress checks will support continuous improvement. The new standards are also aligned with international frameworks, making data collection and reporting significantly easier.
What should companies keep in mind for certification and recertification?
Companies should begin with a self-assessment of their current state. Evaluating the status quo helps identify existing gaps.
Then, it’s essential to engage leadership and the entire team to embed responsibility throughout the organisation. Making as much data measurable as possible is also crucial – it enables clear goals and trackable progress. To take action, companies should create a targeted roadmap and allocate the needed resources.
My recommendation: Think long-term and view B Corp as both a strategic tool and a reflective learning process that holistically evaluates and improves the company.
What do the new standards mean for the future of responsible business?
The new standards are demanding – but they also present a real opportunity to embed sustainability systematically. They make responsible business more binding and measurable. They push companies to look beyond their own operations, use business as a force for good, and become agents of economic transformation. Responsibility isn’t a trend – it’s the future.
About Armelle Duvieusart
Armelle Duvieusart is Community & Impact Lead at B Lab Germany. B Lab Germany is the national organisation of the global B Lab movement and promotes an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.
