Differences between the Building Better Business B Corp and ECG tracks

Participation criteria

B Corp: To acquire B Corp certification, companies must reach at least 80 points to prove they comply with the B Corp standard. From there, most certified B Corps continue to develop and grow their impact and gain more points continually.

Note: B Lab is currently reviewing its standards for becoming a B Corp, which will soon be applicable to all B Corps. More information can be found here.

ECG: There is no certification threshold; all applicants are eligible for certification. The outcome is a Common Good Balance Sheet, which assesses the organisation's impact on all stakeholders. The results per stakeholder and value are published. The balance sheet can show either a positive or negative balance.

Legal requirements upon certification

B Corp: Certified B Corps must amend their statutes and bylaws to reflect their commitment to business as a force for good.

ECG: ECG-certified companies do not need to change their statutes and bylaws. ECG seeks to maintain minimal foreign debt in financial structures. Companies should evaluate their financiers and the effect on business operations.

Organisations eligible for certification

B Corp: Only private limited companies are eligible.

ECG: Various legal entities, including corporations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), universities, schools, and municipalities, are eligible.

B Corp and ECG organisational principles

B Corp: B Corp is a foundation. Members do not have a say in the foundation’s decisions.

ECG: ECG is an association. Members are association members with corresponding rights and obligations (based on a grassroots movement).

Certification frequency

B Corp: Every 3 years.

ECG: Every 2 years. Certification by independent auditors.

Certification and membership fees

B Corp: The verification fee is based on the company's annual sales, split into two installments. The annual certification fee is based on the company's annual sales. More information is available here.

ECG: The membership fee is calculated according to the number of employees (concessionary rates for membership fees are available). There is an external audit fee.

Building Better Business workshops

B Corp: During the B Corp track workshops, participants will get accustomed to the B Corp assessment as an impact management tool. This process itself will help you assess and increase your organisation’s impact. After the workshops, participants will have the necessary insights to fill out the B Impact Assessment.

ECG: During the workshops on the ECG track, participants will be working on the Common Good Report. At the end of the track,  participants will be ready to apply for certification. This process itself will already help you increase your organisation’s impact.