When pursuing EDGE Certification in France, it’s essential to understand the local DE&I landscape. This article explores the French regulatory environment for DE&I practices, and data protection policies which could impact EDGE Certification. With insights into the factors shaping DE&I in France, your organization can prepare effectively and harness EDGE (gender-binary) and EDGEplus (gender and intersectionality) Certification to drive meaningful, lasting change.
Navigate this Article
- Labour Market Indicators
- DE&I Focus Areas on a Country Level
- Applicable EU Directives
- Personal Data Protection in France
- 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 France |
| Paid Parental Leave | 16 weeks paid maternity leave – allowance based on average income over the 3 months before pre-natal leave. 25 days paid paternity leave – allowance based on average income over the 3 months before leave. |
| 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 | Yes ✅ |
| Race/Ethnicity Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Nationality Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Age Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Same-Sex Marriage | Yes ✅ |
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 France |
| Pay Transparency Directive | EU member states must incorporate the EU Pay Transparency Directive into their national laws by June 7, 2026. The French Prime Minister has announced plans to implement the directive by early 2025. Notably, France already enforces its own pay transparency and reporting requirements, mandating organizations with over 50 employees to submit annual reports. |
| Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) | France is the first EU country to incorporate the CSRD into its national legislation. |
| 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 France
The French Data Protection Act (Loi Informatique et Libertés) governs personal data handling in France. This Act, which supplements the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), aims to safeguard individuals’ rights and freedoms, including their right to privacy. EDGE securely collects, analyzes, and stores only anonymized and aggregated data on servers in Switzerland, ensuring that no personally identifiable information is compromised. This approach guarantees EDGE’s adherence to the French Data Protection Act regarding the protection of personal data, allowing organizations operating in France to confidently use our services.
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 France and the EU, including:
- France pay transparency reporting (Index de l’égalité professionnelle)
- EU CSRD
- EU Pay Transparency Directive
- EU CSDDD
To learn more about how EDGE can support your DE&I goals and meet regulatory requirements in France, please contact us or begin your EDGE Certification® journey with EDGE Empower®.
Disclaimer: Please note that this does not constitute legal advice.
