Yes, recertification includes a full reassessment against Year 0, Year 3, and Year 5 requirements, along with a review of your previous audit findings.
You can find here practical information, costs, events related to the B Corp Certification, FAQ, and resources regarding B Corp Consultant, recertification, helpful tools and learning resources.
In 2006, three friends left careers in business and private equity and created an organization dedicated to making it easier for mission-driven companies to protect and improve their positive impact over time. The first 82 B Corps were certified in 2007.
Being a B Corp means your company has been independently verified as meeting rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. It reflects a genuine commitment to benefiting people and the planet – not just shareholders – backed by proof, not just promises.
The positive impact of B Corp-certified companies is supported by requirements for transparency and accountability. B Corp certification not only proves that your company excels where it excels today – it commits you to consider the long-term impact of stakeholders by integrating it into your company’s legal structure.
As B Corp certification is global, it is not possible to provide an exhaustive list of equivalents.
In Switzerland, B Corp certification is recognised, in particular, in public procurement in French-speaking Switzerland (Appendix T5) and for Swisstainable certification (subject to certain conditions).
If you wish to obtain the B Corp certification in order to benefit from these recognitions, please contact us so that we can ensure recognition before your submission.
Certification is carried out by independent, B Lab-approved third-party assurance providers, who audit your company’s policies and practices against the B Lab Standards. B Lab itself doesn’t act as an auditor – instead, it develops the standards, assigns assurance providers, oversees the integrity of the certification process, and issues the license to use the B Corp logo once you’re certified.
With over 10,000 B Corps across more than 100 countries, chances are there’s a thriving community near you. Use our Ecosystem Dashboard to search by keyword, location, or industry.
B Lab Global takes complaints seriously and appreciates those who come forward with them. Material complaints are overseen by B Lab Global’s independent Standards Advisory Council. Learn more about our complaints process here.
Eligibility is determined based on the foundational requirements outlined in the B Lab standards. Some companies have additional considerations and requirements, depending on their industries, customers, practices, and more.
While B Lab and its Standards Advisory Council (SAC) may determine that an industry as a whole is ineligible for certification because of its negative impacts or practices, they recognize that the movement aims to bring on board companies that want to have a positive impact. You can find more information on the B Impact Platform or in the Foundational requirement section of the B Lab standards.
Yes! Changing a company’s legal status is part of the certification process. All Certified B Corps must meet a legal accountability requirement to obtain and maintain Certification. Your company’s legal requirements will vary based on your legal structure. Find your specific requirement using our Legal Requirement tool.
The Pending B Corp program no longer exists since the introduction of the new B Corps standards in 2026. We encourage companies in this situation to contact us to determine which program(s) may be relevant while they become eligible. Learn more here.
Get all the details on how to meet the requirements for B Corp Certification here.
Audits may be conducted remotely, onsite, or a mix of both, depending on your certification track. Onsite audits typically happen in two stages: a remote desk review followed by a site visit. For more information, visit this ressources package
Fees are structured according to your company’s size and revenue, ensuring the process stays accessible for businesses of any scale. Full details are available on this page.
Certification fees are calculated according to the revenue of your company and based on principles of inclusivity, transparency, and fairness. As a non-profit organization, your certification fees only cover a portion of B Lab’s operating expenses. Forty percent of B Lab’s expenses are covered via philanthropy, with the remaining coming from earned revenue streams that include B Corp Certification. In general, B Lab costs associated with B Corp Certification are broken into four groups:
Technology platforms: In addition to the certification, we offer the B Impact Assessment as a free tool for companies to measure and improve their impact. These fees support the ongoing development and improvement of this tool alongside the B Hive, B Analytics, and our back-office administration platforms.
Licensing fees: This is what you pay us to license the growing ‘B’ brand on your products, services, and marketing platforms and to support efforts to grow brand awareness.
Local and global movement building: Depending on the size of your company, the surplus from your fee goes to cover costs associated with growth and engagement efforts, both in the market and in service to a growing global movement.
The internal resources necessary for the certification process will vary depending on the size of the company. In general, companies have either one person or a small CSR committee in charge of the certification who will fill in the BIA and gather information from the different departments of the company.
At B Lab Switzerland, we have elaborated different programs to help you gain the necessary skills. Contact us for more information.
“B consultants” are also part of our ecosystem can offer advice and guidance to companies thinking about, preparing for, or going through the B Corp certification process.
The length of the certification process varies based on a company’s size and complexity. Completing the certification setup the first time requires a minimum of several hours. Implementing & documenting the necessary practices to meet the requirements takes a couple of weeks to several months. Large multinationals or companies with many related entities should expect a longer process, up to a couple of years.
The total duration of the audit is estimated at three months, but may vary considerably depending on the number of organisations submitting applications at the same time, and whether the organisation needs to rectify any non-conformities before becoming certified.
B Corp Certification is valid for five years, with a recertification audit required at the end of each cycle to renew your certification and license. Along the way, you’ll also undergo a Year 3 audit and periodic surveillance audits based on your certification track.
Failing to complete your recertification audit as scheduled can put your certification and license at risk of suspension. Staying proactive with your self-assessment updates and audit scheduling helps ensure a smooth renewal.
Yes, recertification includes a full reassessment against Year 0, Year 3, and Year 5 requirements, along with a review of your previous audit findings.
B Corp Certification costs are structured around your company’s size and revenue, ensuring the process remains fair and accessible for businesses of every scale—from micro-enterprises to multinationals. Fees are typically divided across different stages of the certification journey, detailed in the B Lab Fee Schedule. This approach means no company is priced out of joining the movement, regardless of size.
B Consultants are consulting professionals trained in the B Lab Standards, equipped to guide companies through every stage of their certification journey. From defining strategy to preparing key documentation and evidence, they bring hands-on expertise to help businesses navigate the requirements with confidence. Whether you need support shaping your sustainability roadmap or fine-tuning your self-assessment, a B Consultant can turn a complex process into a clear, well-guided path forward.
Have questions about your B Corp Certification journey? Book a personal session with a member of our Certification Team at B Lab Switzerland.
Our events are either exclusively for B Corp companies or open to everyone!
