The purpose of the obligatory equal pay certification is to enforce the current legislation prohibiting discriminatory practices based on gender and requiring that women and men shall be paid equal wages and enjoy equal terms of employment for the same jobs or jobs of equal value. Companies and institutions employing 25 or more workers, on annual basis, will be required to obtain equal pay certification of their equal pay system and the implementation thereof. In accordance to the legislation, certification shall meet the requirements of the Standard ÍST 85, Equal Wage Management System – Requirements and guidance (normally called The Equal Pay Standard). Equal pay certification under the Standard ÍST 85 is designed to confirm that when decisions on wage are taken they are based only on relevant consideration. 

The Standard ÍST 85 is a management requirement standard and can be used by all companies and institutions regardless of the size of the workplace, operation, role or gender balance amongst staff. The Standard ÍST 85 ensures professional working methods in order to prevent direct or indirect discrimination. The Standard ÍST 85 can be purchased at Icelandic Standards (Staðlaráð Íslands).