Understanding the local DE&I landscape is important for organizations pursuing EDGE Certification in China. By gaining insights into the key factors influencing DE&I in the country, organizations can better prepare and leverage EDGE (gender-binary) and EDGEplus (gender and intersectionality) Certification to create impactful and sustainable change.
Navigate this Article
- Labour Market Indicators
- DE&I Focus Areas on a Country Level
- Personal Data Protection in China
- 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 China |
| Paid Parental Leave | Maternity Leave: 98 days paid at 80-100% of salary. Paternity Leave: 2-3 weeks depending on province |
| Law on Pay Equity | Yes ✅ |
| Pay Gap Reporting Legal Requirement | No ❌ |
| Gender Quotas on Company Boards | No ❌ |
| Non-Binary Gender Identity Legal Recognition | No ❌ |
| Sexual Harassment Protection in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Disability Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| LGBTQ+ Non-Discrimination in Employment | No ❌ |
| Race/Ethnicity Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Nationality Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Age Non-Discrimination in Employment | No ❌ |
| Same-Sex Marriage | No ❌ |
This data is sourced from EquiNations, our research that examines the DE&I legislative landscapes of the 20 countries with the highest number of EDGE Certified organizations.
Personal data protection in China
Effective June 1st, 2023, China implemented the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL). Under PIPL, significant changes were introduced regarding the legal exportation of personal information from China. The definition of personal information now encompasses sensitive data, including, religious beliefs, designated statuses and identities (including gender), medical/health. Notably, these stringent requirements do not apply to anonymized data. EDGE securely collects, analyzes, and stores only anonymized and aggregated data on servers located in Switzerland, thereby falling outside the scope of China’s regulations. This ensures that organizations operating in China can seamlessly continue utilizing EDGE Empower®‘s services while remaining compliant with the new legislation.
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.
Effective DE&I management demands a sustained, strategic focus to ensure it remains a business-critical priority. EDGE Certification, supported by EDGE Empower®, provides organizations with the tools to embed this focus, offering:
- A structured analytical framework to evaluate current DE&I performance and benchmark against peers to establish realistic, impactful goals.
- Time-bound cycles over two years to set measurable objectives and monitor progress effectively.
- Independent verification that ensures transparency and accountability throughout the process.
- EDGEplus for an intersectional perspective that considers how gender interacts with other diversity dimensions such as race/ethnicity, gender identity, disability, nationality, age, and LGBTQ+.
- A data-driven methodology grounded in leadership expertise and practical applications, enabling a comprehensive and actionable DE&I strategy.
- Guidance on regulatory compliance, including EU CSRD and EU Pay Transparency Directive requirements.
This holistic approach empowers organizations to build, sustain, and advance meaningful DE&I progress.
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. Interested in how EDGE Certification can help you achieve your DE&I objectives and comply with regulatory requirements in China? 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.
Updated January 2024
