What ISO 45010 actually asks of employers
On 7 September 2026, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published ISO 45010: Occupational health and safety management — Menstruation and menopause in the workplace — Guidance.
It's the first international guidance standard dedicated to helping employers better support people experiencing menstruation, menstrual health conditions and the menopause transition.
For those of us who have spent years advocating for menstrual health to be taken seriously in the workplace, this is a significant milestone. At GoodPeriod, we've worked with organisations including HSBC, Cathay and EY to bring menstrual health into everyday workplace practice. Seeing this recognised through international guidance reflects a wider shift: menstrual health is not simply a personal issue. It's a workplace health, wellbeing and inclusion issue, too.
But what does that actually mean for employers?
Five areas every employer should consider
ISO 45010 provides guidance rather than a mandatory certification checklist. Employers can use it to review existing practices, identify gaps and make meaningful improvements over time. Here are five practical areas to start with.
1. Culture — Can employees discuss menstrual health without stigma?
Creating a supportive workplace starts with a culture where people feel comfortable raising health-related needs without fear of embarrassment, discrimination or negative consequences.
Ask yourself: Do employees know where to turn if menstrual or menopausal symptoms are affecting them at work?
2. Policy — Are workplace practices flexible enough to accommodate different health needs?
Menstrual health conditions and menopause symptoms can affect people differently. Employers should consider whether existing wellbeing, attendance and workplace adjustment policies provide appropriate support.
Ask yourself: Do our existing policies recognise menstrual and hormonal health needs, even if they aren't explicitly named?
3. Manager capability — Are managers equipped to respond appropriately?
Employees often turn to their direct managers when health challenges affect their work. Managers need the knowledge and confidence to respond sensitively, respect confidentiality and understand what support is available.
Ask yourself: Would our managers know how to respond if an employee disclosed a menstrual health condition or menopause-related challenge?
4. Facilities — Do our workplaces meet people's practical needs?
Supportive facilities can include accessible period care, appropriate disposal options, suitable washrooms and access to rest or temperature adjustments where appropriate.
Ask yourself: Can employees manage their menstrual health comfortably and with dignity throughout the working day?
5. Measurement — Do we know whether our approach is working?
Meaningful progress requires listening to employees, reviewing existing practices and identifying opportunities for improvement. This doesn't have to mean complex reporting. Anonymous employee feedback, periodic workplace reviews and clear improvement priorities can provide a useful starting point.
Ask yourself: How do we know whether employees feel supported, and what are we doing with that information?
Progress matters more than perfection
The most important takeaway from ISO 45010 is that creating a menstrual health-inclusive workplace doesn't require employers to change everything overnight. It requires a willingness to listen, understand where improvements are needed and take practical, consistent action.
That might begin with making period care available in washrooms, equipping managers with better guidance or reviewing existing wellbeing policies. Over time, these steps can become part of a more comprehensive approach to workplace health and inclusion.
How GoodPeriod supports employers
The GoodPeriod Employer Network brings together organisations committed to making menstrual health a practical part of workplace wellbeing. Through our annual Employer Programme, we help employers bring sustainable period care, workplace education, resources, guidance and measurement into one coordinated approach. Our work also connects workplace spending with wider social impact, supporting access to reusable period care and menstrual health education in underserved communities.
You don't need to have all the answers to get started. Whether you're reviewing your workplace approach in light of ISO 45010 or looking to take your first practical steps, we're here to help.
Want the detail? See how our employer programme works.
Not sure where your workplace stands? Download our free ISO 45010 readiness checklist — a self-check you can run in under 20 minutes.
Ready to talk it through? Get in touch with the GoodPeriod team.
GoodPeriod is an award-winning, certified B Corp and woman-led social impact business.