ISO launches 45010 workplace standard

The International Organization for Standardization published ISO 45010 on Tuesday, adding a new occupational health and safety guidance standard focused on menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace. ISO’s catalogue describes the document as guidance for developing workplace policies and practices that support employees during those life stages. ISO said in a release that the standard would be made available at no cost to encourage access and adoption. ### What exactly did ISO publish? ISO’s standards page identifies the document as “ISO 45010 - Occupational health and safety management — Menstruation and menopause in the workplace — Guidance.” The abstract says it is intended to help organizations develop policies and practices that support “the menstruation, menstrual health and peri/menopause experiences of employees in the workplace.” A separate ISO page from the drafting process shows the standard had been under development before reaching final publication. (iso.org) That page said the document was being prepared for final publication, while an ISO feed entry showed it reached stage 50.20 on May 26, 2026. ### Why is ISO describing it as a first? ISO said in its Sept. 8 release that ISO 45010 is the “world-first” international standard on workplace support during menstruation and menopause. (iso.org) The release said the guidance responds to demand for better workplace support affecting millions of people during their working lives. (iso.org) BSI, the British Standards Institution, published a related statement on Sept. 7 describing BS ISO 45010 as global guidance to help keep women experiencing menstruation and menopause in work. BSI said the document is aimed at leaders, managers, human resources professionals and occupational health and safety practitioners. (prnewswire.com) ### What does the guidance cover inside the workplace? ISO’s online text says the recommended adjustments and activities are meant to complement existing workplace wellbeing, occupational health and safety, and gender inclusion practices. The same page says menstruation, menstrual health and menopause are “not medical conditions but life course experiences.” BSI said the guidance is designed to help organizations identify and address workplace factors that may affect employees experiencing menstruation or menopause. (bsigroup.com) Its earlier materials on the precursor British standard show the topic has been framed around workplace support measures rather than clinical treatment. (iso.org) ### How did this standard get here? BSI’s standards development pages show the topic had moved through both ISO and British drafting channels before publication. One BSI project page lists ISO/NP 45010 with a scope covering menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace, while another lists BS ISO 45010 under occupational health and safety management guidance. (bsigroup.com) A BSI knowledge page also shows a draft British version, dated Aug. 4, 2025, under the title “Draft BS ISO 45010 Occupational health and safety management - Menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace - Guidance.” ### Where can employers and readers find it now? (standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com) ISO’s Sept. 8 release said ISO 45010 will be available free of charge. The live ISO standards page now lists the final standard under reference number 64365, and BSI has published both a press statement and supporting material for its national version. BSI’s explainer page for BS 30416, an earlier British standard on the same subject area, remains online alongside the new ISO-linked material. (knowledge.bsigroup.com) That gives employers a published trail from national guidance to the new international standard released on Sept. 8. (bsigroup.com) (iso.org)