ISO 53800

What is ISO 53800?

ISO 53800 introduces a series of guidelines for organisations that promote and implement gender equality and women's empowerment. At the heart of this standard is a focus on overcoming the inequality arising from gender-specific roles and addressing systemic gender inequalities and discrimination in the workplace.

Once certified, organisations can proudly promote themselves as certificate holders in any of their promotional materials and can include the URS certification logo free of charge.

Who requires an ISO 53800 certification?

Whilst ISO 53800 is not a regulated standard, any organisation aiming to improve and promote its approach to gender equality practices should consider becoming certified for this standard.

How can an ISO 53800 certification benefit your business?

Becoming certified for ISO 53800 can bring a wide range of benefits to your organisation, including:

• Enhancing employee engagement


• Strengthening the reputation of your organisation


• Improving the workplace environment

How can you prepare for ISO 53800 Certification?

Although the thought of starting the certification process may seem daunting, there are a variety of steps you can take to make the process to becoming certified far more streamlined:

 

• Familiarise yourself with the ISO 58300 standard


• Conduct a gap analysis to highlight practices in your organisation that do not meet the standard guidance


• Develop and improve your gender equality plan

What are the key requirements in ISO 53800?

When working towards becoming certified for ISO 53800, there are various areas that will be a focus during the audit. These areas include:

 

• Gender equality framework


• Policy development


• Promoting equal opportunities

What clauses make up the structure of ISO 53800?

Clauses 1-3 – Introductory clauses:

The first three clauses of ISO 53800 introduce the history and purpose of the standard, along with the scope of the certification, and the sectors in which it can be applied.

To assist organisations with further understanding of the standard, clause 3 provides an extensive list of definitions for terms that are used throughout. It’s recommended that organisations familiarise themselves with these terms before progressing.

Clause 4 – Methodology:

Clause 4 outlines the foundation for how organizations should approach gender equality. It emphasizes the importance of gender equality being integrated into the organization's culture, policies, and practices. This is achieved by encouraging organisations to highlight areas in their current practices that do not meet the expectations of the standard, and develop policies and practice that place gender equality at the forefront.

Clause 5 – Guidelines on gender equality:

Clause 5 emphasises the need for organisations to understand the broader context of gender inequality and introduces the means of assessing their current gender equality performance to ensure informed decisions accompany the implementation of gender equality initiatives.

How long will your ISO 53800 certificate be valid for?

Your ISO 53800 certificate will be valid for at least three years; dependent on the type of site that is being certified.

Ready to get started? Apply using the quotation link below.