Gender Equality Certification System
The Italian Gender Equality Certification System, introduced by The Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), is based on the definition of guidelines for the certification of gender equality and related incentives for companies that successfully conclude the certification process.
The Italian Gender Equality Certification System has been introduced by The Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan: apre una nuova finestra (NRRP) and subsequently regulated by specific national Law No. 162 of 5 November 2021 (the Gribaudo Law) and by Law No. 234 of 30 December 2021 (the 2022 Budget Law).
Negotiated by Italy with the European Union in response to the pandemic crisis, the NRRP aims at repairing the economic and social damages, contributing to addressing the structural weaknesses of the Italian economy and to reducing territorial, generational and gender gaps.
The implementation of the project “Gender Equality Certification System”: apre una nuova finestra is led by the Italian Department for Equal Opportunities: apre una nuova finestra of the Presidency of the Council of ministers.
Gender equality certification is already operational and is requested from businesses on a voluntary basis and incentive mechanisms are planned for companies that successfully conclude the certification process. In this link: apre una nuova finestra the list of accredited certifying bodies that can be contacted to obtain the certification.
The certification process is available to companies of all sizes and is based on the gender equality practice UNI/PdR 125:2022 that was issued by UNI, the Italian standardization body, on 16 March 2022.
The UNI/PdR 125:2022 defines the guidelines on the management system for gender equality which provides for the structuring and adoption of a set of performance indicators (KPIs) inherent to gender equality policies on organizations. The practice provides for the measurements, reporting and evaluation of gender data in organizations with the aim of bridging existing gaps as well as incorporating the new gender equality paradigm into the DNA of organizations and producing sustainable and lasting change over time. To ensure a comprehensive measurement of the performance level, six strategic assessment areas are identified for different variables featuring an inclusive and gender-equal organisation: culture and strategy; governance; human resources (HR) management processes; opportunities for growth and inclusion of women in business; gender pay equity and parental protection and work-life balance.
The NRRP provides contributions for free technical assistance for the start-up of certification paths on gender equality (for a total amount of 2,5 million euros) and for the costs of certification for small, medium and micro enterprises (for a total amount of 5,5 million euros).
Each small, medium and micro enterprise is eligible to up to 2.500 euros assistance services.
A contribution to the certification costs of up to 12.500 euros per company is assumed, not direct but intermediated through the accredited certifying bodies.
A “Public Notice” for small medium and micro enterprises to apply for the above mentioned benefits can be found in this link: apre una nuova finestra.
Companies that have received a gender equality certification are eligible for an exemption from payment of a percentage of the employer’s total social security contributions. Further forms of incentives are related to the participation in State aids grants co-financed through European funds and to the participation in public calls. As concerns the public calls, the legislator has provided the opportunity for the contracting authorities to indicate in their tender notices a higher score linked to gender certification and has introduced a percentage decrease of the guarantee for companies that have obtained a gender certification.
As specified in the Annex to the Council Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 that has approved NRRP, the M5C1 investment 1.3 ‘Gender equality certification system’ envisages the achievement of the following targets:
- target M5C1-13: at least 800 companies (out of which 450 SMEs) will obtain the gender equality certification by the second quarter of 2026.
- target M5C1-14: at least 1000 companies supported through technical assistance will obtain the gender equality certification by the second quarter of 2026.