Women's Support in the Workplace as UK Law Will Require Menopause Plans From 2027

For the first time, there is an international standard that sets out how your workplace should support you through periods and menopause, and you can hand it to your employer today. On 7 September 2026, ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, launched ISO 45010 from Geneva. It is the world's first global standard on supporting women through menstruation and menopause at work, and ISO is giving it away at no cost.

The standard is guidance, not law. It gives practical recommendations to help leaders, managers, HR professionals and occupational health and safety staff identify and address the things at work that make periods or menopause harder, and it is written for organisations of any size and any sector. No employer is compelled to adopt it.

Its Secretary-General, Sergio Mujica, said the standard gives organisations "internationally agreed recommendations" to understand what affects women through menstruation and menopause and to take practical action. Making it free, he said, is meant to remove cost as a reason for smaller employers to do nothing.