Demand for more female board members as EU’s patience runs out

Spain

Passed legislation in 2007 demanding all companies with more than 250 employees and especially the 35 largest public companies must have at least 40 percent of either sex in board rooms within eight years. Those who fail to meet the demand will not be punished, but the fact will be noted in cases where they compete for state tenders.

France
Introduced a new law in January 2011 demanding all public companies and companies with more than 500 employees to have at least 20 percent women in the board room within three years, and 40 percent within six years. New board appointments will not be accepted in companies which fail to meet the demand.

The Netherlands
Introduced a rule in May 2011 to make sure all companies with more than 250 employees must have at least 30 percent of either sex in the board room by 2016. Failure to do so must be noted in the annual report. A new quota law is expected to be passed in 2016.

Italy 
Introduced a new quota law in June 2011 saying at least one third of board appointments to state and public companies must be women. The deadline is 2015.

Belgium
Introduced a law in June 2011 saying at least one third of state and public company board appointments must be women. The deadline for state companies is one year, for larger public companies five years and for small and medium sized companies eight years. If the quota is not filled, the board will not be staffed with new appointments.