Intertek becomes first fully approved certification body able to apply the EDGE Certified Foundation’s global workplace Gender Equality standard
October 23, 2014
Boxborough, MA - Intertek, a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide announced the approval by the EDGE Certified Foundation to perform audits and certify companies against the EDGE Standard - Economic Dividend for Gender Equality.
The EDGE Certified Standard was developed and tested through 2009 and 2010 with the input of experts in gender equality from leading academic institutions and top multinational companies. The standard ensures that companies certified according to the EDGE Standard have a structured and systematic approach to measure, track and close the corporate gender gap.
“Gender equality in the workplace continues to be an issue in many industries. Research shows companies with the most female board members outperform those with the least on return on invested capital (ROIC) by 26%.,” says Calin Moldovean, President of Intertek’s Business Assurance group. “Intertek is proud to play a part in supporting companies committed to improving their stand in workplace gender equality.”
By using the EDGE Assessment Methodology a clear picture emerges of a company’s commitment as measured in terms of equal pay for equivalent work, recruitment and promotion, leadership development training & mentoring, flexible working and the company culture.
Organisations can become EDGE certified for their commitment to workplace gender equality and progress through three stages of certification – Assess, Move and Lead – in their journey to achieve excellence in workplace gender equality. EDGE Certification has received the endorsement of business, government and academic leaders from around the world and was recently endorsed at the Clinton Global Initiative 2014 and the World Bank.
To learn more visit us at www.intertek.com/business-assurance/edge-certification/.
For further information, please contact
Catherine Beare
Regional Manager EMEA – Supplier Management
Direct: +44 (0) 78 7237 9094
Email: catherine.beare@intertek.com
For Market Inquiries:
Lauren Reidy
Global Marketing Manager, Business Assurance
Phone: +1 978.929.2111
Email: lauren.reidy@intertek.com
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 36,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com
About EDGE Certification
EDGE is the only global assessment methodology and business certification standard for gender equality. The EDGE assessment methodology was developed by the EDGE Certified Foundation and launched at the World Economic Forum in 2011. EDGE Certification has been designed to help companies not only create an optimal workplace for women and men, but also benefit from it. EDGE stands for Economic Dividends for Gender Equality and is distinguished by its rigor and focus on business impact. The methodology uses a business, rather than theoretical approach that incorporates benchmarking, metrics and accountability into the process. It assesses policies, practices and numbers across five different areas of analysis: equal pay for equivalent work, recruitment and promotion, leadership development training and mentoring, flexible working and company culture. EDGE Certification has received the endorsement of business, government and academic leaders from around the world.