Frequently asked questions
Find frequently asked questions about the B Corp Brand Book and using the B Corp IP. For definitions of useful terms read our glossary.
Updated January 2026
Terminology
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A. No. B Corp Certification is granted and administered by B Lab, a global organization that creates standards, policies, tools, and programs that shift the behavior, culture, and structure of capitalism.
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A. The correct styling is B Corp, Certified B Corporation, and B Corporation. Incorrect styling includes BCorp (with no space), B-Corp, B Corp., B Company, and B Corp company. Similarly, our organization name is B Lab, not The B Lab, B Labs, B-Lab, or B.Lab.
Logo application
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A. Existing B Corps get a grace period to use old materials:
Packaging and physical materials (like boxes, letterhead, promotional flyers): use up existing stock until exhausted; update all newly printed materials by August 31, 2026
Digital media (websites, social media, job postings, advertising): until August 31, 2026, to update everything.
After these periods expire, all your use of B Lab's logo and branding must follow the current Brand Usage Guidelines.
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A. Changing industry practice and legislation, including the European Union’s Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive, requires sustainability labels, such as the B Corp logo, to clearly communicate their criteria and credentials to consumers. Related statements must be substantiated.
We are achieving this through the inclusion of the URL with every use of the B Corp logo, directing consumers to our website where this information will be clearly displayed. Updates to the B Corp directory and homepage will be live by August 2026.
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A. The minimum logo size for small packaging and print is a 6mm logo width. Any smaller than this and the logo text becomes illegible when printed. Please refer to the logo application section for further details.
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A. To ensure consistency across all communications, the B Corp logo may only be used in black or white. The only exception to this color rule is when a single-color printing process is required—a practice sometimes used in packaging. Please refer to the logo color section for further details.
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A. The B Corp logo and “Learn more at bcorp.com” text must be in close proximity to the certified company’s logo or name to make it clear that it is the company that is certified. Where possible, add a line of text stating the company is a Certified B Corp: “XYZ company is a Certified B Corp™”.
Branded merchandise and garments that use the B Corp logo must be produced or manufactured by a certified company. If this is not possible, or the implications are significant in terms of costs or negative impact, the items must not be produced. The B Corp logo cannot be applied to items associated with companies and manufacturers that have not been verified as part of a company's certification.
Please refer to the logo application section for further details.
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A. Yes, the B Corp logo can be used alongside the certified company’s logo or name. Follow the application guidelines for print and physical usage. It should only be used on sites and signage that are solely branded for the certified company, and at sites within the scope of certification. If non-certified companies’ logos or names appear on the signage, the B Corp logo and IP should not be used.
Where the B Corp logo is used on signage, the production process must follow sustainable practices to limit negative impact. For example, recycled and recyclable materials, renewable and biodegradable options, eco-friendly inks and adhesives.
Please refer to the logo application section for further details.
Logo & IP usage guidelines
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A. No. B Corps can only use the B Corp logo, and do not have permission to use the B Lab logo on their materials. Only organizations with a current partnership agreement with B Lab may use the B Lab logo.
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A. The registered ® symbol should be used with the B Corp logo in jurisdictions where B Lab has a registration for the "Circle B" logo. In jurisdictions where the "Circle B" logo is not registered, we advise the trademark (™) symbol should replace the registered (®) symbol on the B Corp logo.
Below is a list of jurisdictions where B Lab has a registration for the "Circle B" logo*:
Australia (IPA)
Brazil (INPI)
Canada (CIPO)
Chile (INAPI)
China (SAIC)
Colombia (SIC)
Costa Rica (RNP)
Denmark (DKPTO)
Ecuador (IEPI)
European Union (EUIPO)
Hong Kong (HKIPD)
Iceland (ISIPO)
Israel (IPO)
Japan (JPO)
Macau (IP Office)
Mexico (IMPI)
New Zealand (IPONZ)
Norway (Patentstyret)
Paraguay (DINAPI)
Peru (INDECOPI)
Singapore (IPOS)
South Africa (CIPC)
South Korea (KIPO)
Switzerland (IGE)
Taiwan (TIPO)
Thailand (DIP)
Turkey (TPTO)
United Kingdom (UKIPO)
United States (USPTO)
Uruguay (MIEM)
WIPO (WIPO Madrid)
Zambia (PACRA)
Zimbabwe (ZIPO)
*This list is subject to change
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A. B Corps should not use B Lab’s IP in any U.S. comprehensively sanctioned jurisdiction, such as Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk People’s Republic, and Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine, which are subject to change from time to time.
Eligibility & scope of use
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A. A list of brands permitted to use the B Corp logo can be found in the scoping memo your company received during the assessment and verification process. Please refer to the Eligibility rules for IP usage section for further details on how in-scope brands can use the B Corp IP.
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A. No. We appreciate your interest in joining the community, but companies pursuing certification cannot use the Certified B Corp logo or trademarks. Doing so could violate local laws and undermine trust in the certification.
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A. No. The B Corp IP (logo and text) is not permitted to be used on materials co-branded with a non-certified company. If you are unsure if the B Corp IP should be used, please reach out to brand@bcorporation.net.
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A. If your new brand or product has a material impact on your company’s operations, you would be required to undergo an early audit. If it doesn’t result in any changes to the business, it won’t require an audit before your next recertification.
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A. You must discontinue your use of the B Corp IP if you are no longer certified. The termination section of the B Corp Agreement outlines the timelines for companies to discontinue their use of the B Corp IP. Unless otherwise agreed with B Lab, the grace periods that would apply are as follows:
90 days for packaging printed after the termination date (existing stock of packaging as of the termination date may continue to be sold through until exhausted)
90 days for stationery, printed or other physical promotional materials
30 days for digital or print media (including social media, websites, print media, out-of-house advertising and job advertisements)
Contact
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A. Reach out to brand@bcorporation.net and include your local B Lab or Sistema B organization.
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A. Reach out to brand@bcorporation.net and refer to the Complaints page of our website for more information about misconduct or misrepresentation by Certified B Corporations.