It’s essential to understand the local DE&I landscape when pursuing EDGE Certification in Italy. With insights into the factors shaping DE&I in Italy, your organization can prepare effectively and harness EDGE (gender-binary) and EDGEplus (gender and intersectionality) Certification to drive meaningful, lasting change.
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- Labour Market Indicators
- DE&I Focus Areas on a Country Level
- Applicable EU Directives
- Personal Data Protection in Italy
- Achieve Meaningful DE&I Impact with EDGE Certification
Labour Market Indicators
DE&I Focus Areas on a Country Level
| DE&I Focus Areas | Status in Italy |
| Paid Parental Leave | Maternity Leave: 5 months paid at 80% Paternity Leave: 2 weeks paid at 100% |
| Law on Pay Equity | Yes ✅ |
| Pay Gap Reporting Legal Requirement | Yes ✅ |
| Gender Quotas on Company Boards | Yes ✅, 40% |
| Non-Binary Gender Identity Legal Recognition | No ❌ |
| Sexual Harassment Protection in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Disability Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| LGBTQ+ Non-Discrimination in Employment | Partly – Discrimination protection is afforded on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity |
| Race/Ethnicity Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Nationality Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Age Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Same-Sex Marriage | No – Civil unions only |
This data is taken from EquiNations, our research which captures the DE&I legislative contexts across the 20 countries with the highest number of currently EDGE Certified organizations.
Applicable EU Directives
| DE&I-Related Directive | Applicability in Italy |
| Pay Transparency Directive | EU member states must incorporate the EU Pay Transparency Directive into their national laws by June 7, 2026. It is not yet clear when Italy will implement the directive. |
| Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) | In Italy, draft legislation to incorporate the CSRD into its national legislation is moving through the legislative process. |
| Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) | EU member states have to transpose the CSDDD into national law and communicate the relevant texts to the Commission by 26 July 2026. |
Personal data protection in Italy
The Codice in materia di protezione dei dati personali oversees the handling of personal data in Italy, supplementing the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). EDGE securely collects, analyzes, and stores only anonymized and aggregated data on servers located in Switzerland, ensuring compliance with Italian data protection policies. Therefore, organizations operating in Italy can confidently utilize our services, guaranteeing adherence to the Italian Code regarding the protection of personal data.
Achieve Meaningful DE&I Impact with EDGE Certification
EDGE Certification is audited by independent third-party certification bodies, it supports the integrity and credibility of data and information, and gives organizations a powerful way to communicate DE&I commitment and performance.
DE&I management requires a sustained, business-critical focus. Integrating DE&I into an organization’s policies and practices while regularly reviewing and refining efforts is essential. EDGE Certification, powered by EDGE Empower®, supports organizations build and maintain this focus and includes:
- An analytical framework to help organizations assess their current DE&I status and benchmark to define achievable goals.
- Two-year cycles to set time-bound objectives and track progress.
- Transparency and accountability through third-party verification.
- EDGEplus for a comprehensive view of DE&I that considers the intersectionality between gender and other diversity dimensions (race/ethnicity, gender identity, working with a disability, nationality, age, and LGBTQ+).
- A data-driven, proven approach informed by leadership insights and real-world practices, supporting a holistic DE&I strategy.
- Guidance on meeting DE&I compliance obligations, including the CSRD and EU Pay Transparency Directive.
EDGE Empower® is a comprehensive DE&I software-based solution, empowering organizations to apply the same discipline and rigor to DE&I as to any other critical business objective. EDGE Empower® offers a holistic approach to facilitate DE&I compliance obligations in Italy and the EU, including:
Interested in how EDGE Certification can help you achieve your DE&I objectives and comply with regulatory requirements in Italy? Reach out to us or take the first step in your EDGE Certification® journey with EDGE Empower®.
Disclaimer: Please note that this does not constitute legal advice.
