EFI

About EFI Corporate Recognition

EFI Corporate Ethics & Ethicality Recognition is intended for organisations operating within a corporate structure that demonstrate a sustained commitment to ethics and ethicality through governance, leadership, learning, accountability and responsible organisational practice.

Recognition provides independent assurance that ethicality is actively embedded within organisational decision-making and organisational culture. It does not certify that an organisation is free from ethical challenges. Rather, it recognises organisations that demonstrate evidence of transparent governance, responsible leadership, continual learning and a sustained commitment to strengthening ethical practice.

Corporate organisations differ in size, governance arrangements, ownership structures, industries and operating contexts. Applications are therefore assessed within the context of each organisation while maintaining a consistent recognition standard across the four EFI Corporate Recognition Pillars.

Why Ethics & Ethicality Recognition Matters

Corporate organisations increasingly recognise that ethics cannot be demonstrated solely through compliance programmes, published values or governance policies.

EFI Corporate Recognition provides independent acknowledgement that ethicality is actively supported through organisational governance, leadership, learning, accountability and responsible business practice.

Recognition offers visible assurance to employees, customers, investors, partners, regulators and other stakeholders that the organisation has demonstrated evidence of sustained ethical commitment through an independent assessment conducted by the EFI Recognition Council.

Recognition reflects an organisation’s ongoing commitment to strengthening ethical capacity, supporting responsible decision-making and contributing positively to ethical practice within its industry and the wider community.

Corporate Recognition Categories

EFI Corporate Recognition is available across three recognition categories, enabling organisations to seek recognition that reflects the scope of their governance and operations.

Corporate Recognition

Recognition for a single corporate entity, business unit, division or regional operation operating under a defined governance and ethics framework.

Multi-Region Corporate Recognition

Recognition for organisations seeking assessment across multiple business units, regional operations or legal entities operating under a coordinated governance framework.

Global Enterprise Recognition

Recognition for organisations seeking enterprise-wide recognition across their global operations where ethics, governance, learning and accountability are demonstrably embedded throughout the recognised enterprise.

The recognised scope of the assessment will be identified within the EFI Recognition Directory and, where appropriate, on the EFI Recognition Certificate and Digital Recognition Badge.

Recognition Framework

Recognition is based on evidence across four interconnected pillars that together demonstrate an organisation’s commitment to ethics and ethicality.

1. Ethical Infrastructure

Ethics embedded within governance, leadership, organisational decision-making and ongoing organisational development.

2. Ethics Training & Learning

A sustained commitment to developing ethical awareness, judgement and organisational capacity through education, professional development and continual learning.

3. Safeguards & Accountability

Accessible and proportionate processes for raising concerns, responding appropriately, learning from ethical challenges and strengthening organisational practice.

4. Community Contribution

Active contribution to ethical learning, dialogue, scholarship and the advancement of ethical practice within the organisation’s industry, profession or wider community.

Benefits of Recognition

Successful applicants receive:

• EFI Corporate Ethics & Ethicality Recognition.
• EFI Recognition Certificate.
• Personalised Digital Recognition Badge.
• Public listing in the EFI Recognition Directory.
• Recognition for a four-year recognition period.
• Communications materials supporting public announcement of the organisation’s recognition.

(Example of the official EFI Corporate Recognition Digital Badge.)

Eligibility

This pathway is intended for organisations operating within a corporate structure, including:

• National companies.
• Regional companies and corporate divisions.
• Global companies.
• Multinational corporations.
• Corporate groups and holding companies.
• Organisations operating across multiple locations, business units or jurisdictions.

Applications may be submitted for a single corporate entity, a defined business unit or division, multiple regional operations or an organisation’s global enterprise.

Not sure which pathway is appropriate?

Contact EFI before applying.

The Recognition Process

Stage 1 – Application Review

• Complete the online application.
• Submit evidence across all application sections.
• Upload the completed Evidence Records Workbook together with supporting evidence.
• Pay the applicable non-refundable Application Review Fee.

Applications are independently assessed by the EFI Recognition Council. Where appropriate, applicants may be invited to provide clarification, additional evidence or participate in a review meeting.

Stage 2 – Recognition

Following approval:

• Pay the applicable Recognition & Directory Fee.
• Complete your EFI Recognition Directory profile.
• Receive your EFI Recognition Certificate.
• Receive your personalised Digital Recognition Badge.
• Be publicly listed in the EFI Recognition Directory.

Fees & Renewal

Corporate Recognition

EFI Corporate Ethics & Ethicality Recognition is available across three recognition categories:

• Corporate Recognition
• Multi-Region Corporate Recognition
• Global Enterprise Recognition

Application Review Fees and Recognition & Directory Fees vary according to the recognition category. Current fees are published in the EFI Corporate Recognition Guide.

Eligible EFI Members receive a preferential Recognition & Directory Fee in accordance with current membership benefits.

Renewal

Recognition is awarded for a four-year recognition period.

Recognised organisations are expected to notify EFI of any material organisational changes during the recognition period that may affect the basis upon which recognition was granted.

Renewal requires an updated EFI Corporate Recognition Evidence Records Workbook demonstrating current evidence across all four Recognition Pillars, together with a brief organisational reflection describing significant developments during the recognition period.

Recognition Status

Use of the EFI Recognition Certificate, Digital Recognition Badge and recognition designation is permitted only while recognition remains current and the organisation is listed in the EFI Recognition Directory.

Continued or unauthorised use of the EFI Recognition Certificate, Digital Recognition Badge, recognition designation, EFI Recognition Directory listing, or any other representation of EFI Recognition after recognition has expired, been withdrawn or otherwise ceased constitutes misuse of EFI Recognition.

EFI may require the immediate removal of all such representations. Failure to comply, or deliberate or repeated misuse, may result in EFI refusing or delaying any future application for recognition.

Membership & Access

EFI Recognition is open to both members and non-members.

EFI members receive preferential application rates as part of their membership benefits.

If you are not an EFI member, you are still welcome to apply; you will need to create a free EFI account before beginning your application.