Corporate Governance Accreditation - CGA provides a corporate governance certification and survey process that certify organisations conform to the King III Committee Code and Guidelines




		4 March 2008 A New Signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment With issues around global warming achieving ever increasing media coverage internationally, investors are having to look at means to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in investment decisions and strategies. One of the initiatives established to facilitate this process is the United Nations ‘Principles for Responsible Investment.’ (PRI) For this reason, of Corporate Governance Accreditation (Pty) Ltd. (CGA) – SA’s only formal governance certification company – is now the first governance certification company to become a signatory to the United Nations ‘Principles for Responsible Investment.’ Says Jonathan Lewis, MD of CGA, “Becoming a signatory to the PRI is not only a public confirmation, but also an affirmation of our long-standing commitment to the ESG principles enshrined in the PRI. We are excited about becoming part of a group of like-minded investors and related institutions and know that we can add value to the process through our own experience and expertise.” Signatories to the PRI commit to the integration of ESG issues into investment decisions and policies and undertake to report and promote actions taken by them in this area. Recently Investec Asset Managers were in the news for becoming a signatory to the PRI. The PIC, with some R800 billion under management, actively promotes and encourages adherence to the PRI. . Says Lewis: “The principles we have and continue to pursue are completely aligned to those enshrined with the PRI. We have always recognised ESG issues as being integral to a company’s success and sustainability. These same principles are already incorporated in our certification process which saw the first JSE listed companies being certified during the third quarter of 2007” PRI Investor signatories represent capital in excess of $4 000bn which is not only a significant number, but illustrates the level of commitment on a global scale. Ultimately, says Lewis, the intention is for CGA to become part of the benchmarking of acceptable standards for corporate governance worldwide.