Elevating Sustainable Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Progress through EDGE Certification

According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Report 2023, progress toward gender equality and inclusion remains slow and, in some areas, is even regressing. For instance, while women made up nearly 40% of global employment in 2021, they held only 28.2% of management positions, reflecting just a 1%-point increase since 2015. This underscores the urgent need for action from governments, businesses, and institutions worldwide.

Building a Sustainable and Equitable Workplace

To foster a truly sustainable and inclusive workplace, organizations must take a structured, data-driven approach to DE&I. This includes:

1.     Assessing Representation and Pay Equity

Collecting disaggregated data on gender and other identifying factors helps organizations identify disparities in representation and compensation. Ensuring equal pay for equivalent work is a cornerstone of equity and builds trust across the workforce.

2.     Implementing Effective Policies and Practices

Clear, inclusive policies around recruitment, promotion, parental leave, and flexible work arrangements are essential. These policies support equitable career progression and empower diverse talent to thrive.

3.     Fostering an Inclusive Culture

An inclusive culture is built through active listening and continuous feedback. Conducting employee surveys and analyzing results enables organizations to launch targeted initiatives that support underrepresented groups and improve collaboration.

4.     Monitoring Progress and Pursing Certification

Ongoing data analysis is key to tracking DE&I progress. Engaging in third-party certification – such as EDGE Certification – validates your efforts, enhance transparency, and demonstrates genuine commitment to workplace equity.

What is EDGE Certification?

EDGE stands for Equity, Diversity, and Gender Equality. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Switzerland, the EDGE Certified Foundation offers the world’s leading global assessment and business certification for workplace gender and intersectional equity.

To date, over 850 EDGE Certificates have been awarded to large organizations across 72 countries and 43 industry sectors, including communication services, consumer discretionary, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, real estate, utilities, etc.

Industries embracing EDGE Certification include:

o   Finance and Banking: To demonstrate their commitment to gender equity in leadership and pay structures.

o   Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals: To ensure fair career progression and inclusivity.

o   Technology and IT: To address gender disparities in hiring, promotions, and leadership roles.

o   Energy and Utilities: To improve diversity and inclusion within traditionally male-dominated roles.

o   Government and Public Sector: To align with global DE&I standards.

o   Consumer Goods and Retail: To foster equitable workplaces and attract diverse talent.

Why Obtain EDGE Certification?

EDGE Certification provides a structured, evidence-based framework to:

• Measure gender representation, pay equity, policies, and workplace culture
• Benchmark progress against global best practices
• Identify and close DE&I gaps through actionable insights
• Communicate progress through independent third-party verification

This approach not only supports compliance with international standards but also enhances talent attraction, employee retention, brand reputation, and stakeholders trust.

Global and Local Relevance of EDGE Certification

International Momentum

EDGE Certification aligns with evolving global regulatory frameworks. A key example is the European Union’s Directive (EU) 2023/970, which mandates pay transparency and gender equity. EDGE’s scientific methodology, validated by independent third parties, helps organizations meet these requirements and future-proof their operations.

Local Relevance in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, the HKEX’s gender diversity requirement is a major driver of corporate DE&I initiatives. EDGE Certification complements this local regulation by offering a globally recognized standard that enhances transparency, accountability and ESG reporting.

Understanding the EDGE Standards and Certification Process

Certification Levels

EDGE Certification is available at three progressive levels:

• EDGE Assess - Entry-level certification based on current performance
• EDGE Move - Recognition of progress and implementation of improvement measures
• EDGE Lead - Highest level, demonstrating best-in-class DE&I performance

Each levels reflects an organization’s performance over a 12-month reference period and is third-party independently audited by accredited bodies such as SGS.

Core Pillars of the EDGE Standards

EDGE Certification is built on four key pillars:

1. Representation at all organizational levels
2. Pay Equity for equivalent work
3. Effective Policies and Practices for equitable career development
4. Inclusive Culture, measured through employee feedback and engagement

The methodology is designed for medium to large organizations, with a minimum of 200 employees per country, business unit, or brand to ensure robust and meaningful analysis.

Why Choose SGS for EDGE Certification?

SGS is an approved EDGE certification body with a global team of qualified auditors. With decades of experience in ethical compliance and social audits, and sustainability assurance, SGS offers:

o   Independent, reliable assessments

o   Deep expertise in DE&I and ESG integration

o   Tailored support throughout the certification journey

o   Global reach with local knowledge

By partnering with SGS, organizations can confidently pursue EDGE Certification and embed DE&I into their broader sustainability, governance, and risk management strategies.

Take the Next Step Toward Workplace Equity

EDGE Certification is more than a badge—it’s a commitment to measurable, sustainable progress in workplace equity. Whether your organization is just beginning its DE&I journey or looking to validate and enhance existing efforts, EDGE provides the framework, credibility, and global recognition to lead with purpose.

Start your EDGE Certification journey with us today. Contact us at hk.rbs@sgs.com or +852 2774-7440.

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