B Corp certification is an international recognition, granted by the non-profit organisation B Lab, that demonstrates a company meets high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. In Spain it has become a strategic credential: the movement marked ten years in the country in 2025 with more than 330 certified companies and, as of 2026, it has passed 340 certified companies, with over 14,000 organisations using its standards.
There is a fundamental change every interested company needs to know about: in April 2025 B Lab published new standards that replace the previous points-based model. This guide explains how the certification works under the current rules, what it costs and how to navigate the process.
What is B Corp certification?
B Lab was founded in the United States in 2006 with the goal of transforming the economy towards a more inclusive and sustainable model. A company that earns the B Corp seal demonstrates that it embeds social and environmental impact into how it operates and makes decisions, not just into its communications.
In Spain, this approach connects with the figure of the Sociedades de Beneficio e Interés Común (SBIC), recognised in law by Law 18/2022 on business creation and growth, which allow companies to write a social and environmental purpose into their articles of association alongside the profit motive. It is worth knowing that the implementing regulation is still pending, so the legal form exists but is not yet fully operational.
B Corp's new standards (2025): from 80 points to 7 impact topics
Until 2025, to become certified a company had to achieve a minimum score of 80 points in the B Impact Assessment (BIA), a questionnaire in which weak areas could be offset by strong ones. That model has changed.
With the new standards published in April 2025, the points system disappears. Instead, a company must meet requirements across seven mandatory impact topics, with no possibility of trading one off against another:
- Purpose and stakeholder governance: act in line with a defined purpose and involve stakeholders in decision-making.
- Fair work: offer quality jobs, fair wages and a good workplace culture.
- Justice, equity, diversity and inclusion: foster diverse and inclusive workplaces and contribute to more equitable communities.
- Human rights: identify and mitigate negative impacts on human rights in operations and the value chain.
- Climate action: develop an action plan aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5°C; for larger companies, with validated targets.
- Environmental stewardship and circularity: assess environmental impacts and take measures to reduce them across operations and the value chain.
- Collective action and government affairs: take a leadership role towards a fairer, more regenerative economy.
Compliance is progressive: a company must meet a first block of requirements to become certified (year 0) and then advance with additional requirements in the following years (typically at year 3 and year 5). In addition, verification is carried out by independent third parties in line with ISO 17021-1-type requirements, which strengthens the rigour compared with the old self-assessment model. The change responds, in part, to the EU's stricter sustainability regulation and to criticism of the flexibility of the previous system.
What is the cost of B Corp certification in Spain?
The cost of being a B Corp has two main components: an annual certification fee paid to B Lab that scales with the company's revenue, and the internal cost of the process (team hours and, in many cases, external consultancy to prepare the assessment and verification).
As a general rule, the larger the company, the higher the annual fee. On top of this comes the investment needed to implement the improvements the impact topics require (for example, calculating and reducing the carbon footprint or revising labour policies). The specific fees are set and updated by B Lab in revenue bands, so it is worth checking the current figure directly through its official channels before budgeting for the project.
What are the benefits of obtaining B Corp certification?
Beyond reputation, the B Corp seal brings strategic advantages:
- Attracting and retaining talent: companies with a demonstrable purpose connect better with professionals who prioritise values and impact, an increasingly relevant factor in recruitment.
- Access to ESG-aligned finance: more and more banks and funds apply environmental, social and governance criteria; a B Corp usually presents a more attractive profile for sustainable investment.
- Brand and reputation: the seal works as a visible mark of trust for clients and consumers, helping the company stand out.
- Internal efficiency: the process forces a review and optimisation of energy use, waste management, labour policies and supplier relationships, which usually generates operational savings. We go into this in our profitable corporate sustainability strategies.
- An edge in tenders: many public authorities view sustainability credentials favourably in their procurement processes.
How to obtain B Corp certification in Spain
The journey can be divided into several stages:
- Initial assessment: the company evaluates where it stands against the seven impact topics and identifies its strengths and gaps.
- Internal improvements: the necessary changes are implemented, from reducing the carbon footprint to revising labour policies or redesigning the supply chain.
- Meeting the certification requirements: the company demonstrates that it satisfies the year 0 requirements in each impact topic and provides the corresponding evidence.
- Verification by an independent third party: the data is checked and compliance with the standards is confirmed.
- Certification and continual improvement: once the seal is obtained, the company must maintain it and progress towards the requirements of the following years, with periodic recertification.
A strategic sustainability decision
B Corp certification is an investment that goes beyond reputation: it brings order to your sustainability strategy, improves efficiency and strengthens the trust of clients, employees and investors. With the new 2025 standards, the bar is higher and the seal gains credibility, so it is wise to plan the process well in advance.
If your company wants to position itself as a sustainability leader, this is a good time to start preparing. We recommend complementing this read with our guide to sustainable practices for companies.
Frequently asked questions about B Corp certification
Does the 80-point score still exist?
No. With the new standards published by B Lab in April 2025, the 80-point threshold of the old B Impact Assessment no longer applies. You now have to meet requirements across seven mandatory impact topics, with no trade-offs between areas.
How long does the certification process take?
It depends on each company's starting point. It usually takes several months and can run longer if significant internal changes are needed to meet the requirements.
How often does the certification need to be renewed?
The seal is not indefinite: it requires periodic recertification and the progressive fulfilment of new requirements in the years after the first certification.
Do companies already certified under the old model have to adapt?
Yes. B Corps certified under the points model must migrate to the new standards at their next recertification, according to the schedule set by B Lab.
