The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a new standard specifically aimed at supporting employees dealing with menstruation- and menopause-related symptoms in the workplace: ISO 45010:2026. The standard provides guidance on multiple levels, including workplace culture, organizational policy, training for managers and supervisors, and practical workplace accommodations.
According to actuEL-HSE.fr, which reported on the publication, the standard covers concrete areas of focus for organizations: from fostering an open and supportive workplace culture, to training managers to recognize signals and respond appropriately, to implementing practical measures in the workplace itself.
For EHS professionals, this is a relevant development. Menstruation- and menopause-related symptoms have long been an underaddressed topic within the broader field of occupational health and safety management, despite the impact they can have on the wellbeing and performance of a large share of the workforce. The publication of an ISO standard in this area reflects a broader, growing focus on women’s health as part of integrated OHS policy, alongside existing areas of attention such as psychosocial workload and inclusive workplace design.
An international ISO standard can give organizations a structured reference framework for incorporating this topic into their occupational health and wellbeing policies, and may in time also feed into certification schemes and corporate guidelines. Further details on the precise content and implementation requirements of ISO 45010:2026 are not currently available; EHS News is following this development and will report further as more information on the standard becomes available.
Source: L’ISO publie une norme sur les menstruations et la ménopause au travail, September 9, 2026, https://actuel-hse.fr/content/liso-publie-une-norme-sur-les-menstruations-et-la-menopause-au-travail
