Promotional webinar on the draft international standard ISO/DIS 45010 successfully held with great interest

On the occasion of celebrating the International Women’s Day, the Institute for Standardization of Serbia (ISS) traditionally organizes promotional educational events. While last year’s theme focused on artificial intelligence, this year’s attention was directed toward women’s health.

The primary motivation for this session was the announcement of the upcoming standard SRPS ISO 45010 – Occupational health and safety management — Menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace — Guidance.

Addressing menstrual health and menopause in the workplace

The speakers discussed how to adapt the workplace to symptoms related to menstrual health and menopause. The experts included:

• Vera Božić Trefalt: An expert with years of experience in the field of occupational safety and health (OSH).
• Mirjana Mirković-Đorđević: Head of the Department for Chemical Technologies, Agriculture, Forestry, Safety, Environment, and General Standards at ISS, and Secretary of the ISS NTC CASCO.

The lecturers emphasized that the standard is intended for those responsible for managing individual performance, workload, well-being, or the work environment.

Research and legal considerations

Studies have shown that the menstrual cycle and menopause can negatively impact the performance of women across all workplaces and levels. Key factors to consider include:

• Physical aspects of the job.
• Workplace culture and design.
• Data Privacy: Disclosure of employee health information must comply with legal requirements regarding personal data confidentiality.

Regarding domestic legislation, Serbian law does not distinguish between “male” and “female” jobs. However, it recognizes specific rights for young women working in high-risk positions. Additionally, there are regulations concerning safety and health measures for pregnant employees, those who have recently given birth, and breastfeeding mothers.

Risk assessment and modernization

Under the Risk Assessment Act, stress is identified as an area of increased sensitivity for women during menopause and the menstrual cycle. Although a traditional division between “male” and “female” jobs persists in practice, it is not a legal category.

The speakers noted that the implementation of this standard is in the interest of:

1. Labor Unions: To protect worker rights.
2. Employers: Those seeking a modern OSH system.
3. Note: Some organizations still view OSH as a cost rather than an investment and remain reluctant to fund preventive measures.

Conclusion

The participants of the promotional webinar concluded that it is vital for organizations to operate in accordance with this standard from the ISO 45001 series. HR teams and management should focus on modernizing the work environment and increasing care for employee safety across all business sectors.