B Impact Assessment (BIA)
B Lab Company's official digital platform hosting the B Lab Standard. The only route to B Corp certification under Standards V2.2, published on 20 February 2026.
Context
The B Impact Assessment (BIA) is B Lab Company's official digital platform hosting the B Lab Standard. It is the only route for a company to certify as a B Corp. Under Standards V2.2 (published 20 Feb 2026), the BIA replaces the 0-200 point scoring system with binding requirements differentiated by size and sector.
Fundamental change V1 → V2
| Aspect | V1 (until Apr 2025) | V2 (from Feb 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| System | 0-200 point scoring | Compliance with binding requirements |
| Threshold | ≥80 points to certify | Foundation Requirements + Performance Requirements |
| Differentiation | Single cross-industry questionnaire | Differentiated by size + sector |
| Commitment | Static on certifying | Progressive Year 0 → Year 3 → Year 5 |
The 8 axes of Standards V2
Foundation Requirements · basic eligibility.
Purpose & Stakeholder Governance · binding governance with stakeholder interest.
Climate Action · decarbonisation and climate resilience.
Fair Work · decent working conditions and participation.
Human Rights · comprehensive respect across operations and supply chain.
Environmental Stewardship & Circularity · responsible use of resources.
Government Affairs & Collective Action · political transparency and collective action.
Justice / Equity / Diversity / Inclusion · substantive equity and diversity.
Certification process
Registration of the company on the BIA platform (free of charge).
Meeting the Foundation Requirements: legal structure, transparency, no industries contrary to the Theory of Change.
Meeting the Performance Requirements across the remaining 7 Impact Topics according to size and sector.
Signing the B Corp Declaration of Interdependence + Legal Requirement (amendment of the articles of association).
Verification by B Lab and issuance of the certificate.
Timeline of the standard
B Lab founded
B Lab Company is incorporated in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, with the first B Impact Assessment questionnaire.
Standards V2 launched
Replacement of the 0-200 scoring by a system of compliance with Foundation + Performance Requirements.
Standards V2.1
Refinement of sectoral criteria following initial feedback from the global B Corp network.
Standards V2.2 in force
Current version of the standard with a progressive commitment Year 0 → Year 3 → Year 5.
Applied case
A textile brand begins its B Corp certification to differentiate itself in the professional B2B market and access transition funds. The typical process unfolds in four phases.
Month 1-2 · Registration on the BIA platform + meeting the Foundation Requirements (amendment of the articles of association to recognise stakeholder interest · notarial cost EUR 800).
Month 2-6 · Implementing the Performance Requirements across the 7 Impact Topics (Climate Action: SBTi 1.5°C, Fair Work: sector wages +5 per cent, Human Rights: multi-tier due diligence, ESC: GOTS + RCS across >70 per cent of the catalogue).
Month 6-9 · Verification by B Lab + remediation plan for minor gaps. Annual membership cost approx. EUR 15,000.
Month 9-12 · Final certification + public communication. Progressive commitment Year 3 (compliance review) and Year 5 (full V2.2 renewal).
Common mistakes
The BIA is not a 0-200 point scoring system as in V1.
In V1 (pre-2026), the BIA was a questionnaire scored 0-200 with a minimum of 80 to certify. In V2 (from April 2025) it is a system of compliance with Foundation Requirements + Performance Requirements differentiated by size/sector, with no public numerical scoring. A profound change of model.
Completing the BIA does not guarantee automatic certification.
B Lab manually verifies the information provided in the BIA. If it detects inconsistencies, a lack of documentary evidence or material risks (controversial industry, prior complaints, ESG issues), it may deny certification or require remediation before certifying. Certification is not transactional.
The BIA is not the same as an ESG rating or sustainability index.
The BIA is B Lab's platform for B Corp certification — a mark for companies with a binding stakeholder commitment. It is NOT a commercial ESG rating (MSCI, Sustainalytics, ISS) nor a sustainability index. The B Corp methodology is proprietary to B Lab and focuses on governance + impact, not on financial disclosure.
There is no such thing as "B Corp partial certification" — it is binary.
A company is either B Corp certified or it is not. There are no grades or tiers. Under V2, companies demonstrate progress towards Year 3 and Year 5 milestones, but the certification itself is binary: certified or not certified. Re-certification every 5 years is required.
Frequently asked questions
What is the B Impact Assessment (BIA)?
B Lab Company's official digital platform (a non-profit organisation founded in 2006, headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania) hosting the B Lab Standard. It is the only route for a company to certify as a B Corp. Under the V2.2 standard (published 20 Feb 2026): compliance with the Foundation Requirements + Performance Requirements across 7 Impact axes + signature of the B Corp Declaration of Interdependence + a binding Legal Requirement.
How much does it cost to certify as a B Corp via the BIA?
Annual membership fee scaled by turnover: from rates for micro-enterprises through to rates for large corporations. For medium-sized companies the indicative fee sits in the mid-range of the official band. In addition: internal cost of implementing the assessment estimated at 200-400h of team time + possible external consultancy. Renewal every 5 years with full V2.2 re-compliance.
How long does it take to certify as a B Corp?
Typically 6-12 months from the start of the BIA to final certification: 3-6 months to complete the assessment + adoption of the Foundation Requirements + internal due diligence; 1-2 months of B Lab verification; 1-2 months of remediation of detected gaps; 1 month for the final signature of the B Corp Declaration + Legal Requirement (amendment of the articles of association to recognise stakeholder interest). A timeframe manageable with internal planning.
What changed in the BIA with version V2?
V1 was a questionnaire scored 0-200 points (minimum 80 to certify · a scoring system). V2 (launched April 2025, V2.1 Aug 2025, V2.2 Feb 2026) replaced the scoring with a system of compliance with Foundation Requirements + Performance Requirements differentiated by size/sector, with a progressive commitment Year 0 / Year 3 / Year 5. Eight binding axes: PSG, CA, FW, HR, ESC, GACA, JEDI, FR. A profound paradigm shift: behaviour-oriented rather than score-oriented.
Is the B Impact Assessment the same as a commercial ESG rating?
No. The BIA is B Lab's proprietary platform for B Corp certification — a mark for companies with a binding commitment to stakeholder-oriented governance (amendment of the articles of association with legal effect). ESG ratings (MSCI, Sustainalytics, ISS, Refinitiv) are external assessments oriented towards DISCLOSURE, for investors, without any binding commitment by the company, based on public data and without audit. A B Corp renews every 5 years; ESG ratings are updated annually or continuously without formal renewal.
Fuentes oficiales
- B Lab Company20 feb 2026Private standard in force
- B Lab Company2025-2026Official transition guidance
- B Lab Europeago 2025Regional guidance Europe
