B Corp Certification Changes in 2026: What the New Standards Mean for Thrive Market

At Thrive Market, our mission has always been simple: make healthy and sustainable living easy and affordable for everyone. Becoming a Certified B Corporation in 2020 was a major milestone in that journey. It formalized something we already believed: that businesses can (and should) be a force for good.

B Lab, the organization behind B Corp certification, recently introduced the biggest update to the B Corp standards in nearly 20 years. These new standards begin rolling out in 2026, and they’re designed to raise the bar even higher.

We’re excited about what’s ahead for B Corps like us. Here’s what’s changing and what it means for our community.

What Is a B Corp?

If you’ve ever wondered “What does B Corp certified mean?”, you’re not alone.

A Certified B Corporation is a company that meets rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. In other words, it’s a business that considers its impact on workers, customers, communities, and the planet—not just profits.

For us, B Corp certification is one of the ways we hold ourselves accountable to you.

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What’s Changing with B Corp Certification in 2026?

The new B Corp certification standards strengthen the requirements for all companies—including us. Here’s what’s changing: 

1. Minimum Requirements Across All Areas

In the past, companies earned certification by scoring at least 80 points on an overall assessment. That system allowed businesses to balance strengths in one area with weaker performance in another.

Under the new B Corp standards, companies must meet minimum requirements across every key impact area. Excellence in one category can’t make up for gaps in another. It’s a more holistic approach, and at Thrive Market, we think that’s a good thing.

2. Seven Clear Impact Areas

The updated standards focus on seven core topics:

• Governance
• Climate action
• Human rights
• Fair work
• Environmental stewardship
• Justice, equity, diversity & inclusion
• Collective action & public policy
  

These categories reflect what today’s consumers care about most: climate responsibility, ethical supply chains, strong worker protections, and inclusive business practices.

3. Ongoing Improvement vs. One-Time Certification

The updated B Corp certification requires companies to demonstrate measurable improvement over time—not just meet a standard once and call it done. That mindset mirrors how we think about our mission: always evolving, always improving!

4. More Independent Verification

To strengthen trust, the certification process will now include increased third-party verification. In a world where sustainability claims can feel confusing or inconsistent, this added rigor helps ensure that B Corp certification remains one of the most credible designations out there.

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Our B Corp Journey So Far

We became a Certified B Corp in 2020 — at the time, the largest online grocer in the U.S. to earn the certification.

Since then, we’ve worked to build impact into every part of our business:

• Transitioning to a Public Benefit Corporation structure
• Expanding climate-conscious and zero-waste operations
• Increasing access to healthy food through Thrive Gives
• Accepting SNAP EBT to help make nutritious food more accessible
• Investing in employee wellness and equitable workplace policies

When we recertified in 2024, we increased our B Impact Assessment score by 33% — a reflection of meaningful progress across governance, environmental initiatives, community programs, and team member support.

Why These New B Corp Standards Matter

The 2026 B Corp certification changes reflect a broader shift in how business is measured.

More shoppers are asking:

• Is this company actually sustainable?
• Do they treat workers fairly?
• Are their climate commitments real?

By strengthening the standards, B Lab is helping ensure that B Corp certification continues to answer those questions with integrity.

Frequently Asked Questions About B Corp Certification

What does B Corp certified mean?

Being a Certified B Corporation means a company meets rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Certified B Corps are evaluated by B Lab, the nonprofit organization that oversees the certification process.

B Corps are measured on how they treat workers, serve customers, impact communities, govern their business, and protect the environment — not just how much profit they generate.

Is Thrive Market a Certified B Corp?

Yes. Thrive Market has been a Certified B Corporation since 2020. We earned certification after meeting high standards across governance, environmental impact, worker policies, and community programs, and we successfully recertified in 2024 with a significantly higher impact score.

For us, B Corp certification reflects our long-term commitment to making healthy and sustainable living accessible to all.

What are the new B Corp certification standards for 2026?

The updated B Corp certification standards, announced in 2025 and rolling out in 2026, introduce several important changes:

• Companies must meet minimum requirements across all impact areas (not just earn 80 points overall).
  The framework now centers on seven required impact topics, including climate action, fair work, and human rights.
• Businesses must demonstrate continuous improvement over time.
• The certification process includes increased third-party verification.

These changes are designed to strengthen accountability and maintain the credibility of the B Corp designation.

Why did B Lab update the B Corp standards?

B Lab updated the standards to raise the bar for responsible business and respond to growing expectations around climate action, equity, and corporate transparency.

As more consumers seek sustainable and ethical brands, the updated requirements ensure that B Corp certification continues to represent meaningful, measurable impact.

How is B Corp certification different from other sustainability labels?

Unlike many certifications that focus on a single issue (such as organic ingredients or carbon neutrality) B Corp certification evaluates a company’s entire business model.

It looks at governance, workers, customers, community impact, and environmental performance together. It also requires companies to legally consider stakeholders—not just shareholders—in decision-making.

That holistic approach is what makes B Corp certification one of the most comprehensive sustainability designations available.

Does B Corp certification require ongoing improvement?

Yes. Under the new standards, Certified B Corps must show measurable progress at recertification milestones. Certification isn’t permanent; companies must regularly verify their performance and continue improving over time.

At Thrive Market, we view this as an opportunity to keep evolving and strengthening our impact year after year.