There are ways to verify whether a company values sustainability, and a tried-and-true way for companies to prove this is to display a B Corp logo on their products. Due to past events, this is no longer the case. 

What Is B Corp Certification? 

B Lab is a nonprofit organization that gives out the B Corp certification. The certificate is based on the rating the company receives for its environmental and social impacts; a score of 80/200 is considered a passing grade. A foundational issue is that the companies can appear more environmentally friendly by compensating for poor environmental performance by offsetting it with better scores in other areas. It is possible for a company to still be harming its environment and land a B Corp certification.

Real Examples

And this is not some unfounded worry; Nespresso got  B Corp Status in 2022. Yes, the same Nespresso whose main product is fundamentally harmful to the environment (single-use aluminum coffee pods), and received accusations of human rights violations regarding their supply chain. A Fast fashion brand, Princess Polly, got it in 2025.  Clearly, these standards can be gamed.

What Changed in 2025

B Lab has done well to address these concerns and, in April 2025, made sure there were mandatory minimums that companies had to meet to receive its blessing. There are seven specific areas they will review, so companies can no longer hide their poor environmental scores by scoring well in other areas.

This will go on to be a cautionary tale. B Corp’s certification status depends on whether its requirements are stringent. If just any company can grab a certification, it loses its value. It’s important as well that if you spot a B Corp logo on a product, make sure you look up its actual scores.  They could be fudging the truth.

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