On Feb. 11, Dr. Bronner’s (Vista, CA) dropped its B Corp Certification and will not renew with B Lab, the organization that manages the certification. The announcement comes after a multi-year campaign from Dr. Bronner’s calling on B Lab to “meaningfully improve” the B Corp standards.

Dr. Bronner’s first became a certified B Corp in 2015, believing both B Lab and the broader community could be important forces in transitioning the global economy away from “extractive practices” and moving toward “economic models that truly benefit people and the planet.” In 2022, Dr. Bronner’s achieved the highest B Corp score globally at 206.7, surpassing the previously stated score ceiling of 200.

In June 2022, Dr. Bronner’s and other B Corps issued an open letter expressing concerns with B Corp Certification for specific multinational companies despite “lengthy and well-documented histories of unethical business practices.” In January 2023, Dr. Bronner’s sent a private letter to B Lab, stating if the company did not see a “satisfactory approach” in revised standards by 2024, it would drop its certification.

“We have not seen adequate, transparent, and timely action from B Lab to update the standards or certification process to address our concerns. Now, our only recourse is to drop our certification. We hope our exit will prompt necessary and overdue action, and that allies who remain B Corp Certified will continue to push to improve the standard from the inside,” said David and Michael Bronner, cosmic engagement officer (CEO) and president of Dr. Bronner’s.

Dr. Bronner’s B Corp Certification will expire in September 2025. The company has already begun removing the B Corp logo from its branding and marketing.

For more information, visit www.drbronner.com.