A practical and credible framework for living wage certification
Introducing the Responsible Living Wage Standard
Introduction to RLWS
In today’s global economy, a legal minimum wage is often not enough to meet workers’ basic needs. That’s why we’re launching the Responsible Living Wage Standard (RLWS) — a practical, inclusive, and credible certification framework designed to help companies demonstrate and accelerate progress toward fair pay.
Developed by Peterson Solutions and certified by independent Certification Bodies, RLWS supports organizations of all sizes — from multinationals with thousands of employees to smaller firms taking their first steps.
Whether you’re leading in sustainability or just beginning your journey, RLWS meets you where you are. We believe every company deserves the tools to ensure workers are paid fairly, transparently, and with dignity.
Why living wages?
Why now?
Current wages are insufficient in many countries, with workers in global supply chains often remaining below a decent living standard despite formal employment. Compliance with the legal minimum wage is insufficient to meet basic needs in several sourcing countries, with rising inflation and cost of living widening the real wage gap.
This has a long-term and broader global and industry-specific impact. Globally, living wages address systemic issues such as poverty, inequality, and financial instability. In specific industries, a living wage improves retention, productivity, and stability across supply chains
Regulatory shifts are also impacting industries on a global scale, for example through the CSRD/CSDDD and mandatory EU Due Diligence which all push for wage transparency.
Consumers are increasingly aware of the supply chain’s impact on local communities and, along with investors, are demanding proof of social impact and credible actions.
How can Peterson support you?
At Peterson Solutions, we help companies turn their living wage commitments into certified results. Whether you’re just starting out or already close to full alignment, we support you through every step of the journey toward becoming a Living Wage Employer. Our team offers practical tools and guidance to identify wage gaps, benchmark against credible standards, and build a roadmap for improvement.
With the Responsible Living Wage Standard (RLWS), we provide a structured certification process — independently audited by Control Union — that confirms where you stand and what’s needed to move forward. Through data, dialogue, and third-party assurance, we help you build trust with your stakeholders and lead with transparency.
The RLWS is built on:
- ILO Conventions 95 & 131
- UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights
- OECD Due Diligence Guidance
- ISO 9001
- IDH Recognized Living Wage Benchmark methodologies
This process provides a step-by-step approach to certifying wage adequacy, ensuring due diligence, and tracking progress.
Overview of the Living Wage Certification Standard
A practical and credible framework that certifies:
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Workers are paid a wage that meets their basic needs and allows for discretionary income
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Employers have systems in place to sustain and monitor wage fairness
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Actors throughout the supply chain are engaged — not penalized — when gaps are found
Certification levels
Living wage employer
• All workers paid above benchmark
• Full compliance with essential and progressive criteria
On-track living wage employer
• Majority of wage gaps closed
• Roadmap & credible improvement plan in place
Improvement pathway and follow-up audit
• No verification was achieved, but clear willingness to improve
• Follow-up audit after four months
Do you want to know more?
Please contact us so we can help you with your Responsible Living Wage Standard journey. Or do you have other questions? We will be glad to help.