How to Spot a Real B Corp (and Why It Matters)
B Corp is one of the most rigorous business-wide certifications. Here's how to verify a company actually holds it and what the score really means.
Key takeaways
- 1.B Corp certifies companies, not individual products.
- 2.Every certified company's scorecard is public and searchable.
- 3.Scores above 110 out of 200 are genuinely rare.
- 4.Pair B Corp with product-level marks for the strongest signal.
What B Corp actually certifies
B Corp certifies whole companies — not single products — against a public standard called the B Impact Assessment, scored across governance, workers, community, environment and customers. Companies must score at least 80 out of 200 and recertify every three years.
Unlike marketing terms, the entire scorecard is public on the B Lab directory. If a brand claims B Corp status, you can verify it in 10 seconds.
Verification in three steps
1. Search the brand on bcorporation.net/find-a-b-corp. 2. Check the certification date — if it's more than three years old without a re-cert, the status has lapsed. 3. Open the impact report — scores under 90 are common; scores above 110 are rare and meaningful.
What B Corp does not guarantee
B Corp evaluates the company, not every product line. A B Corp can still sell single-use plastics or use conventional cotton. Pair B Corp with product-level certifications (USDA Organic, GOTS, Leaping Bunny) for the strongest signal.
Frequently asked questions
Can a big corporation be a B Corp?+
Subsidiaries of large groups can certify, which is controversial. Check the scorecard and whether the certified entity is the brand you are buying.
How often do B Corps recertify?+
Every three years, against a standard that has tightened over time. A certification date more than three years old without renewal means the status has lapsed.