If you’ve walked down a grocery aisle recently or scrolled through a LinkedIn feed, you’ve seen the little circle-B logo. It used to be a niche badge for crunchy soap brands and outdoor gear junkies. Not anymore. As of early 2026, the global list of b corps has ballooned to over 10,000 companies across 103 countries. But here’s the thing: being on that list just got a whole lot harder.
Honestly, the "vibe" of B Corp certification is shifting from a general "we're the good guys" points-based system to a high-stakes, rigorous audit. In January 2026, B Lab officially pulled the trigger on its Version 2.1 standards. This isn’t just a paperwork update; it’s a fundamental rewrite of what it means to be a responsible business.
The Big Names: Who’s Actually on the List of B Corps Now?
You probably know the heavy hitters. Patagonia is the poster child, basically the North Star for every founder who wants to save the planet while selling vests. Then there's Ben & Jerry’s, which managed to keep its B Corp status even after being swallowed by Unilever—a feat that sparked a decade of debate about whether "Big Corporate" can truly be "B Corp."
But the 2026 list has some surprising entries that prove this isn't just for small startups.
- Danone North America: Still one of the largest by revenue, proving that massive supply chains can (slowly) turn the ship.
- Veeva Systems: A cloud software giant for life sciences. It shows that "impact" isn't just about organic cotton; it’s about how you handle data and governance.
- Coursera: The education platform that converted to a public benefit corporation (PBC) and maintained its certification, highlighting the role of learning accessibility.
- Better Earth: Recently named a 2026 Top Impact Company, they’re leading the charge in compostable packaging.
It's a weird mix. You've got Amalgamated Bank rubbing shoulders with Warby Parker and Etsy. Some are publicly traded; others are family-owned shops. The diversity is staggering, but it's also causing some friction.
The 2026 Shake-Up: Why Some Brands Are Walking Away
Not everyone is happy with how the list is growing. In a move that sent shockwaves through the impact community, Dr. Bronner’s—the organic soap legend—decided to drop its B Corp certification in 2025. They didn't do it because they stopped caring. They did it because they felt the certification was getting too "diluted" by multinational conglomerates.
They weren't alone. Scrumbles, a UK-based pet food brand, also exited. Their CEO basically said the logo had become a "marketing badge" rather than a mark of true ethics.
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This tension is exactly why the 2026 standards were introduced. B Lab realized that if they didn't tighten the screws, the whole movement would face a "greenwashing" crisis. The old system allowed you to rack up 80 points however you wanted. You could be great to your workers but "meh" on the environment and still pass. No more. Now, you have to hit minimum bars in seven specific "Impact Topics," including Climate Action and Human Rights.
What the "New" B Corp List Looks Like
If a company is certifying or recertifying in 2026, they are facing a 10-step gauntlet. It’s no longer a self-graded homework assignment.
Independent third-party auditors now handle the verification. The cycle has also changed to a five-year window, but with mandatory check-ins at Year 0, Year 3, and Year 5. If you don't show "continuous improvement," you're off the list. It’s sort of like a professional license that you have to keep earning.
The Ineligible List (The "No-Go" Zones)
B Lab has become much stricter about who cannot join the club. If a company makes more than 1% of its revenue from certain industries, they are automatically blocked. We're talking:
- Fossil fuel production (a massive sticking point in 2026).
- Tobacco and all nicotine products.
- Weapons and defense.
- Prisons and detention centers.
- Gambling and pornography.
This 1% rule is a hammer. It even applies to service providers. If a marketing agency makes 5% of its money by helping a gambling site, that agency can kiss its B Corp dreams goodbye.
The ROI of Being a B Corp in 2026
You might wonder why anyone bothers with this headache. Honestly, it’s about the money and the talent. 2026 data shows that B Corps are seeing higher employee retention rates. People—especially Gen Z and Millennials—want to work for places that don't suck.
There's also the "Green Transition" factor. The EU’s new directives on sustainability claims mean that having a verified, third-party label like a B Corp certification isn't just good PR—it's a legal shield against greenwashing fines. For a lot of mid-sized companies, the certification fee (which can range from a few thousand to over $50,000 depending on revenue) is cheaper than a lawsuit from a European regulator.
How to Check if a Company is Legally "B"
Don't just take a logo at face value. Companies can lose their status or let it lapse. The only "source of truth" is the B Corp Directory on the official B Lab website. Every company on that list has a public impact score. You can see exactly where they excelled and where they barely scraped by.
If a company says they are a B Corp but they aren't in that directory, they’re either in the "pending" phase (usually for startups) or they’re being creative with the truth.
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Actionable Next Steps for Consumers and Founders
If you're looking at the list of b corps to decide where to shop or where to apply for a job, do these three things:
- Check the Impact Report: Go beyond the 80-point score. Look at the "Workers" section. If they score high on environment but low on workers, that tells you a lot about their internal culture.
- Verify the Certification Date: Many companies are still on the "old" standards. Look for those that have recertified under Version 2.1 in 2026—they are the ones truly leading the pack.
- Look for the "Pending" Status: If you're a startup, you can get "B Corp Pending" status. It shows you’re committed to the legal requirements before you have the one year of operations needed for full certification.
The movement is at a crossroads. Whether it becomes the global standard for business or a relic of "purpose-washing" depends entirely on how strictly B Lab enforces these new 2026 rules. For now, the list remains the most comprehensive guide we have for finding businesses that at least try to do more than just make a buck.
To see the most current list of certified companies, visit the B Corp Global Directory and filter by industry or location to find the impact leaders in your specific area.