BS ISO 45010: Global standard to support menstruation and menopause in the workplace
The British Standards Institute (BSI) have launched their global standard for supporting menstruation and menopause in the workplace, BS ISO 45010: Occupational health and safety management – Menstruation and menopause in the workplace. Employers will now have access to a new global framework which will aid them in supporting employees experiencing menstruation and menopause.
Large employers (250 employees+) required to have a Menopause Action Plan in place, under their responsibilities as part of the Employment Rights Act 2025, in 2027; this will give businesses a head start on building robust policies and protocols ahead of the deadline.
Published by BSI, the UK’s national standards body, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), BS ISO 45010: Occupational health and safety management – Menstruation and menopause in the workplace give employers, HR professionals, managers and occupational health and safety practitioners, practical guidance.
Talk to a Croner Health and Safety expert to understand your responsibilities. Call today on 0800 470 9999.
How will the BS ISO 45010 standard aid employers?
The standard outlines how to identify and address workplace factors that can affect employees’ health, wellbeing and productivity. Specific areas covered in the standard include workplace culture, policies and procedures, manager awareness and training, workplace design, job design, inclusivity, measurement and evaluation, and practical adjustments. These are designed to help employees manage symptoms at work with additional guidance included for small and medium-sized enterprises.
BS ISO 45010 expands on the British Standard published in May 2023 and is the culmination of three years of work by an expert international group. New content includes guidance on disclosure and privacy, expanded definitions to support consistent interpretation across regions and cultures, updated recommendations for practical action, and a workplace charter template.
BS ISO 45010 includes a cross-reference matrix showing how the recommendations contained within its guidance align with the ISO 45001 standard. Organisations that use the ISO 45001 occupational Health and Safety management system standard may be able to incorporate menstruation and menopause support into their existing health and safety strategies.
For employers, the guidance offers clear framework in reducing stigma, improving manager confidence and creating a workplace where employees feel able to ask for support. Research cited by BSI found that only 38% of UK employees who have experienced menopause, perimenopause or menstrual health-related challenges feel confident their employer would help them find a solution. Nearly half, 49%, said their employer offered no support at all.
Anne Hayes, BSI’s Director of Sectors, said:
"As demonstrated in our research, there is still work to be done in the workplace regarding women's health, with 57% of UK women saying they have never heard their employer talk about the issue. Launched over three years ago, the original British standard has been a valuable blueprint for employers addressing menstruation and menopause at work, providing vital guidance to help women throughout their careers."
"BS ISO 45010 takes the standard further, with new guidance on disclosure and privacy and a broader set of practical actions shaped by the international working group. As a free standard, it makes that guidance accessible to employers and employees everywhere, helping organisations worldwide build healthier, more supportive workplaces and accelerate progress towards a fair society and a sustainable world."
Get expert advice on the new BSI menopause standard
Menopause Action Plans are expected to be introduced as a mandatory requirement for large employers under the Employment Rights Act 2025 in 2027, Businesses who adopt BS ISO 45010 have an opportunity to strengthen policies, prepare managers and improve retention ahead of the new requirement.
Talk to a Croner Health and Safety expert to understand your responsibilities under BS ISO 45010 and how to incorporate it into your operational processes.
Call today on 0800 470 9999.
