B Lab, the nonprofit behind B Corp Certification, is making a significant shift from its current 5-domain assessment framework to a more detailed and nuanced model with 9 domains. This transition, expected to be fully implemented by 2025, reflects B Lab's commitment to a comprehensive approach to assessing corporate responsibility and impact. By expanding the domains, B Lab aims to capture a more detailed and accurate picture of a company's efforts in social and environmental responsibility, governance, and inclusivity. This evolution of the B Corp Certification standards not only aligns with current global expectations but also provides businesses with more precise guidance on areas for improvement. Partnering with an experienced consultancy, like BR-ND People, is highly recommended to make a smooth and effective transition to this new framework.

Why B Lab is moving to 9 domains?

The current 5-domain model has served as a strong foundation for evaluating companies on their impact, covering the essential areas of Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers. However, as business practices and global standards have evolved, B Lab has recognized the need for a more refined assessment structure. The new 9-domain model introduces a clearer, more detailed framework that breaks down each area into focused categories, allowing for a more granular analysis of a company's impact.

This shift ensures that certified B Corps not only meet baseline standards but are encouraged to pursue continuous improvement in areas that are increasingly critical in today’s world. By expanding to 9 domains, B Lab provides companies with clearer pathways to understand their strengths and areas for growth, making the certification both more accessible and impactful.

Understanding the 9 domains

The 9 domains in the new B Corp assessment model are:

1. Purpose & stakeholder governance: This domain examines a company’s commitment to stakeholder governance, ensuring that it prioritizes accountability to all stakeholders—employees, customers, communities, and the environment. This focus on purpose-driven governance holds companies accountable for making decisions that benefit more than just shareholders.

2. Human rights: Human rights are fundamental to any responsible business. This domain assesses how companies protect and promote human rights within their operations and supply chains, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment, safe working conditions, and responsible sourcing.

3. Climate action: Addressing climate change is one of the most urgent challenges of our time. This domain evaluates a company’s efforts to mitigate its environmental impact, including carbon footprint reduction, sustainable resource management, and initiatives to minimize climate-related risks.

4. Fair wages: Compensation practices are a crucial aspect of social responsibility. The Fair Wages domain reviews how companies ensure fair and equitable wages for all employees, helping to reduce income inequality and improve overall employee satisfaction and retention.

5. Environmental stewardship & circularity: This domain emphasizes responsible environmental practices, encouraging companies to minimize waste, improve resource efficiency, and implement circular economy principles, which contribute to sustainable resource use and reduce environmental impact.

6. Workplace culture: A positive and inclusive workplace culture is essential for employee well-being and performance. This domain assesses employee engagement, development opportunities, and satisfaction, ensuring that companies foster an environment where employees feel valued and supported.

7. Government affairs & Collective action: Companies often have the power to drive positive change beyond their direct operations. This domain evaluates their involvement in public policy, advocacy, and collaboration with other organizations to support systemic change aligned with social and environmental goals.

8. Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI): Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core principles of a fair society and responsible business. The JEDI domain reviews a company's policies and practices that promote these values, ensuring that companies are making genuine efforts to create equitable and inclusive workplaces.

9. Complementary impact topics: Recognizing that different industries and regions have unique challenges, this domain covers additional areas specific to a company’s context, allowing the assessment to be tailored to the unique impact areas of different businesses.

Why the new model is a better approach?

The new 9-domain model represents a more detailed and robust approach to evaluating the social and environmental impact of businesses. By expanding to 9 domains, B Lab can assess each aspect of a company's operations with greater specificity, resulting in a clearer understanding of a company's strengths and areas for improvement.

The new domains align closely with global standards such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), making it easier for companies to integrate B Corp principles with broader sustainability initiatives. This alignment provides businesses with a road map to achieve meaningful, long-term impact, encouraging them to move beyond compliance and toward continuous improvement.

Additionally, the 9-domain model offers companies a better way to set strategic goals. By breaking down complex impact areas into more specific domains, companies can better identify where to focus their efforts to make the greatest difference. Each domain provides a pathway for ongoing learning and improvement, ensuring that certified B Corps are well-equipped to lead by example and inspire others to pursue responsible and sustainable practices.

Making the transition with expert guidance

As companies prepare to transition to the new 9-domain model, working together with an expert B Corp Way consultancy, such as BR-ND People, can make the process smoother and more effective. We have the knowledge and expertise to guide businesses through the nuances of the new framework, helping them identify specific areas for improvement, implement best practices, and align with the new domains seamlessly.

The shift to 9 domains is a powerful opportunity for companies to deepen their impact and build more resilient, purpose-driven businesses. With expert support from B Corp Way consultancies, companies can maximize the benefits of the new framework and ensure they are well-prepared to meet the standards of tomorrow’s responsible business landscape.