GRI Opens Global Consultation on Revised Labour Standards for Inclusion and Equality

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has opened public consultation to update two of its most important labor-related sustainability standards—Diversity and Inclusion (update GRI 405) and Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity (update GRI 406). The deadline for feedback is 15 September 2025 and is part of a broader process to increase corporate reporting of inclusion, equal opportunity, and workplace rights.

These revisions form the third phase of GRI’s Labour Project, which is reviewing all labour-related standards under a phased process. The standards are being aligned with international human rights and labour frameworks, including conventions from the International Labour Organization (ILO). The goal is to ensure that organisations disclose detailed and structured information about how they integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into their governance and operations, and how they handle both direct and indirect discrimination.

The new Diversity and Inclusion standard will add more measures related to the firm's diversity commitments, monitoring arrangements, and how firm accountability within the organisation is enforced. It also calls for broader disclosures regarding steps towards inclusive workplaces, including progress towards underrepresented groups.

At the same time, the revised Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity standard deals with systemic discrimination in the workplace through greater levels of transparency for reporting and company processes to avert discrimination. The new standard sets new reporting requirements for certain protections against vulnerable groups.

GRI is seeking public comments from a diverse group of stakeholders such as employers, employees, investors, civil society, and policy institutions. Stakeholders are invited to comment on the usability, simplicity, and scope of the new draft disclosures through an online guided questionnaire. The consultation is global, and feedback is to be used to shape the final wording and scope of the revised standards.

To make it convenient for stakeholders to interact, GRI has organized two webinars on July 2 and July 8. The sessions are to be delivered by representatives of the GRI, ILO, and the International Organisation of Employers. They will address what the updates are for, what changed from the previous standards, and how companies will adapt to the new expectations.

This third phase of GRI’s Labour Project follows earlier stages focused on employment practices and career development. The final phase, expected to launch later this year, will concentrate on workers’ rights and workplace protections, including issues such as freedom of association, fair wages, and occupational safety.

The whole process of reviewing labor standards is supported by a technical committee and advisory team that include trade unions, employers, academic specialists, and civil society organizations. Through their involvement, the revisions are grounded on the needs and circumstances of various parties in various industries and regions.

When completed, the new GRI labor standards will likely be effective from mid-2026. The new updates will significantly impact organizations using GRI standards to report their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, especially those operating in high-risk sectors for labor rights.
The GRI initiative is in response to the increased global request for more material and consistent ESG disclosures, as investors and regulators are increasingly seeking greater transparency on how businesses respond to social issues like diversity, equity, and workplace culture. With non-financial reporting under increasing focus in business reporting across the globe, standards such as GRI have an important part to play in setting forth how businesses are to be held accountable for their social and ethical behavior.

The releases also keep pace with wider regulatory trends, such as Europe's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the global sustainability disclosure frameworks being developed by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).

Amsterdam-headquartered GRI is among the world's most used sustainability reporting frameworks. Its guidelines offer direction to organizations so that they disclose their effects on the economy, the environment, and society in an open manner. Organizational labour standards have been at the core of how corporations report social performance, and specifically human rights, fair work, and diversity.

By revising these critical standards, GRI hopes to provide companies with more precise direction on how to measure and report progress toward fostering inclusive and equitable workplaces. The revisions are meant to enable companies not only to comply with disclosure expectations but also to implement actual changes to policies, practices, and outcomes within their own organizations.

Organizations and individuals who are willing to contribute to the consultation can download the exposure drafts and questionnaire from the GRI website. It is available to all sector and geography stakeholders.

Source: Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)