The B Corp standards have shifted. The audit process has changed. The documentation expectations are higher. Ready or not, this is the new era.
In this episode, former B Lab standards analyst Jeffrey D. Stewart joins us to unpack what that shift really means for companies on the ground. If you are certified, preparing for recertification, or even just exploring B Corp, this conversation is about what changes now, what stays the same, and what you should actually do next.
Jeffrey brings a unique lens as both a B consultant and professional interpreter. We explore how “translation” is at the heart of this new era — translating standards into operational reality, translating global requirements into local practice, and translating technical audit language into something leadership teams can act on. We discuss the expanded Certification Hub, the move to third-party auditors, the difference between major and minor nonconformities, and how European regulation is reshaping the ecosystem.
Most importantly, we focus on what this means for you. If your company has a 2027 recertification date, the clock is already ticking. Understanding your year zero requirements, conducting a gap analysis, and building a realistic roadmap are no longer optional. Tune in today!
What You’ll Learn:
- Why the “new B Corp era” represents a structural shift, not just incremental updates
- How the Certification Hub changes transparency and access to resources
- What major vs. minor nonconformities mean for your audit timeline
- How the separation between B Lab and third-party auditors affects your process
- Why continuous improvement is now built into the five-year lifecycle
- What companies with 2027 recertification dates should be doing now
Quotations:
“Whether it’s through guiding companies on their B Corp certification journey or through our language practice, we are always rooted in sustainability, and we’re rooted in moving toward a wider consideration of stakeholders, which is what, of course, B Corp certification is all about.” — Jeffrey D. Stewart [0:07:01]
“It really seems that way, that B Lab is moving toward that new directive from the European Union, and it really has affected the entire framework of these new standards. One of the biggest themes of it all is the separation between B Lab as an entity and the actual standards.” — Jeffrey D. Stewart [0:36:29]
“We really need to start by educating ourselves, whether it be through the support of a consultant or through your own internal teams. It’s important simply to understand what we need to do first, and then we can make a plan to get there accordingly.” — Jeffrey D. Stewart [0:50:15]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
- Jeffrey D. Stewart — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-ds/
- Enharmonic Encounters: https://enharmonicenc.com/
- Certification Hub: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/standards/certification-hub/
- B Impact Platform: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/programs-and-tools/b-impact/
- SCS Global B Corp Audit Webinar Recording: https://tinyurl.com/55nw9fnb
- B Corp Champions Retreat: https://usca.bcorporation.net/champions-retreat-2026/
- LEVEL Applications Open through March 23, 2026: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgxDItUDRhy7sIaFnPWLVw73Oyq35gD8OcfVuTvNQ-p1BeOA/viewform
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Gratitude
Thank you to Corey Lien, Nozomii Torii, and Kirsten G. Bryant for being our monthly contributors at Beyond the B!
