What compliance differences apply for B2B outreach?

B2B outreach operates under different compliance rules than B2C in some jurisdictions, but the differences are narrower than many senders assume. Under CAN SPAM in the United States, B2B and B2C emails follow the same requirements such as accurate headers, clear identification, and functional unsubscribe mechanisms.

Under GDPR in Europe, B2B emails can rely on legitimate interest as a legal basis more easily than B2C emails, but only when the message is genuinely relevant to the recipient's professional role. Sending promotional content to a work email address does not automatically make it compliant. You still need a lawful basis, and recipients still have the right to object.

Under CASL in Canada, B2B emails to work addresses received limited relief, but only for messages related to the recipient's business functions, and consent is still required in most cases. The key distinction is that B2B often involves existing business relationships or inquiry based contacts, which can create implied consent pathways not available in B2C. B2B outreach is not a compliance free zone. It simply offers narrower exceptions under stricter conditions.