National Certification Body

Φορέας Πιστοποίησης Επιχειρήσεων για την Εφαρμογή Καλών Πρακτικών για την Ισότητα των Φύλων στο Εργασιακό Περιβάλλον

The objective of the National Certification Body is to promote gender equality in the workplace by certifying enterprises that adopt gender-equal practices. The National Certification Body, established by the Council of Ministers and chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, oversees the certification process. Key stakeholders include the Gender Equality Commissioner and representatives from employers' and employees' associations. This policy is national in scope, targeting enterprises and organizations across the country. It aims to recognize and certify those that implement gender-equal practices. The policy offers two types of certifications: “Best Practice” for individual practices and “Equality Employer” for comprehensive gender equality systems. Enterprises apply annually, and evaluators conduct on-site visits and interviews to assess compliance. Successful applicants are awarded certifications in a special ceremony and gain advantages in public procurement tenders. Regarding observed impacts, certified enterprises benefit from enhanced public recognition and improved opportunities in public procurement. In terms of timeframe, the policy was introduced in 2014 and certification is valid for four years, with a renewal process involving re-evaluation.