The certification for gender equality is an attestation recognized to companies that implement policies to reduce gender differences in the workplace. This includes equal pay, career opportunities, maternity protection and other measures aimed at eliminating inequalities between men and women
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Legislation and Context
Introduced by the PNRR and governed by the Law on Equal Pay, the gender equality certification allows companies that comply with European standards of equality between men and women to be monitored and rewarded.
The State has provided contributions to cover the costs of certification in 2024.
How to Get the Gender Equality Certification
Companies must request certification from the appropriate bodies. There is no deadline for the application, which can be submitted at any time of the year. Companies must respect good practices aimed at reducing gender inequalities
.
Certification Requirements
All companies can obtain certification if they comply with certain requirements and good practices. These include actions to mitigate inequalities between male and female workers
.
Assessment Areas
The certification is based on six assessment areas:
- Culture and strategy
- Governance
- Human Resources Processes
- Opportunities for growth and inclusion
- Pay equity by gender
Each area contributes to measuring the company’s level of gender equality.
Who issues the Certification
Accredited conformity assessment bodies issue the certification. These bodies are competent and impartial and adopt a management system that complies with UNI/PdR 125:2022 practice
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Advantages of the Gender Equality Certification
Certification offers a number of benefits, including:
- Relief on social security contributions paid by the employer
- Award scores for the evaluation of project proposals
- Decrease in the guarantee for participation in public tenders
Incentives and Bonuses for Companies
Certified companies can benefit from various incentives:
- Exemption from paying a percentage of social security contributions
- Award scores for project proposals
- Reduction of the guarantee for participating in public tenders
From December 6, 2024, companies can also apply for contributions intended for gender equality certification.
Regulations and Certification Portal
The certification is required by the Equal Pay Act and the 2022 Budget Law. The Gender Equality Certification Portal, online since December 22, 2022, provides information on certifying bodies and certified companies
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Certification Costs and Deadline
The costs to obtain certification vary, generally between 12,000 and 30,000 euros per year. The certification is valid for three years and is subject to annual monitoring
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Certification Assistance
For information on the gender equality certification system, you can contact [email protected].
