B Lab’s new certification process marks a major shift in how companies assess impact and prepare for audits. In this episode of Beyond the B, co-hosts Emmy Allison and Ryan Honeyman unpack B Lab’s updated 2.1 certification process and explore what it means for companies navigating these changes.
They walk through the full 14-step journey, from the new eligibility workflow in the B Impact Platform to the expanded scoping tools that help companies understand their track before they begin. Emmy and Ryan highlight why completing the self-assessment remains the most time-intensive stage and share insights from their work supporting clients through the transition.
They also break down the shift to independent assurance providers, what companies can expect during upcoming audits, and how non-conformities will be assessed and resolved under the new model. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the benefits of these updates, including stronger accountability, clearer expectations, and a certification process that better serves the range of company sizes and structures B Lab now needs to account for.
Tune in to learn how these changes aim to strengthen integrity across the B Corp community and what steps companies can take now to prepare for the transition.
What You’ll Learn:
Quotations:
“B Lab has created a workflow that's all contained within the B Impact app, [and] it tells you if you're eligible for certification.” — Ryan Honeyman [0:04:52]
“Step four is easily the step that takes the absolute longest. [For] six months to three years, you're working on the self assessment.” — Emmy Allison [0:10:05]
“B Lab is really driving this point home, which is [that] the verifiers are no longer B LAB employees, the verifiers are independent of B Lab.” — Emmy Allison [0:12:44]
“It's truly incredible what B Lab has put into this, [and] what the community has put into this. We're really close to being able to see the effects.” — Emmy Allison [0:47:22]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
We Want to Hear from You
We want to hear from you! Email us at beyond@lifteconomy.com with requests for content, suggestions for future guests, and feedback about our episodes.
Unlock Your Free B Corp Values Assessment
Our 200 point B Corp assessment tool helps you measure how well your organization embodies B Corp values. Get it for free today! https://go.lifteconomy.com/b-corp-newsletter
B Corp Consultant
Interested in certifying, recertifying, or maximizing the value of your B Corp certification? Learn more about our B Corp consulting services at LIFT Economy: https://www.lifteconomy.com/secrets-of-b-corp-consulting
Gratitude
Thank you to Corey Lien, Nozomii Torii, and Kirsten G. Bryant for being our monthly contributors at Beyond the B!