B Corp and the ECGT
23 april 2026
Are you a B Corp and do you communicate this to consumers?
Time to switch to the new standards.
From 27 September 2026, significant changes will take place regarding sustainability claims in the European Union (EU). The Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (ECGT) is new EU legislation aimed at combating greenwashing and improving consumer protection.
In short: sustainability claims and labels may only be used toward consumers if they are demonstrably substantiated and independently verified by an external party.
In practice, this means that vague claims such as “sustainable” or “eco-friendly” without evidence will not comply with the law. Existing certifications, such as B Corp, may only be used if they meet stricter requirements.
Towards substantiated claims
The introduction of the ECGT is a logical step. It raises the bar for sustainability in the market and makes it clearer which companies genuinely operate sustainably, rather than relying on assumptions.
Independent verification is crucial. It reduces the risk of conflicts of interest and increases credibility. It also forces companies to structurally integrate sustainability into core decisions, such as positioning and communication.
The B Corp standard itself is also raising the bar. It is now subject to stricter requirements and includes an independent audit structure. As a result, the new B Corp standard is compliant with the ECGT. Transitioning to the new standards depends on your recertification timeline, but for B Corps that fall under the ECGT, it is important to take action early.
Are you a B Corp that:
- Actively communicates with EU consumers (B2C), via products and/or website? And
- Is still certified under the old B Corp standard (V1.6)?
If so, from 27 September 2026, certification under V1.6 will no longer provide sufficient substantiation for sustainability claims toward consumers.
What does this mean for your organisation?
Below is what this concretely means for your company, and specifically what your marketing/commercial team should address:
Check the following:
- Marketing & legal: Do you use the B Corp label or refer to it in communications toward EU consumers?
- Compliance: Can you substantiate your other claims according to ECGT criteria?
- Operations: Are your processes set up for external verification and stricter requirements?
Getting started with the new standards
B Lab advises submitting recertification under the new standards before 15 July 2026. Start in time, ideally from May 2026, especially for complex organizations. Delaying may result in longer certification timelines. If you choose to recertify later, it is important to adjust your communication about B Corp accordingly.
Need help?
Not sure whether you fall within the scope of the ECGT directive or what this means for your timing and recertification approach? Get in touch, we’re happy to think it through with you.
