ISO diversity and inclusion standards

Q: What ISO standard addresses diversity and inclusion in organizations?
​A: The primary international standard is ISO 30415:2021 - Human resource management — Diversity and inclusion. It provides guidelines for embedding diversity and inclusion principles, policies, and practices into organizations of all types and sizes, fostering inclusive workplaces.

Q: Why is ISO 30415 important for organizations?
​A: ISO 30415 helps organizations demonstrate ongoing commitment to D&I, develop inclusive cultures, and create equitable opportunities for all employees. It addresses inequalities in organizational systems, policies, and practices, supports continuous improvement, and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 5 on Gender Equality.

Q: Who can use ISO 30415?
​A: It is designed to be scalable and applicable to all types of organizations — public, private, government, NGOs — regardless of size, sector, or geographic location. It supports various organizational contexts and external influences, ensuring relevance across industries.

Q: What aspects of diversity and inclusion does the standard cover?
​A: The standard covers fundamental prerequisites for D&I, accountabilities and responsibilities, recommended actions and measures, and potential outcomes. It guides organizations to embed D&I across the entire employment lifecycle and in supply chain relationships. It does not address specific labor relations or legal compliance in particular countries.

Q: What are the fundamental prerequisites for embedding D&I according to ISO 30415?
​A: The key prerequisites include:

These form the foundation for an inclusive organizational culture and continuous improvement.

Q: How does ISO 30415 support leadership and culture?
​A: The standard emphasizes leadership’s role in demonstrating commitment, creating strategic opportunities, and fostering awareness among employees and external stakeholders. Leadership drives embedding D&I into policies, behaviours, and organizational culture.

Q: What benefits can organizations expect from implementing ISO 30415?
​A: Benefits include improved innovation, higher employee engagement, better business performance, a competitive advantage in talent attraction and retention, and enhanced reputation. Diverse perspectives lead to more innovative solutions and decisions better aligned with all stakeholders' needs.

Q: Does implementing ISO 30415 align with global development goals?
​A: Yes, it supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to gender equality (SDG 5) and reduced inequalities, reinforcing responsible organizational practices24.

Q: How can organizations obtain ISO 30415?
​A: ISO 30415:2021 is available for purchase through the official ISO website or national standards bodies.

Q: How can organizations participate in developing diversity and inclusion standards?
​A: Organizations can engage through their national standards bodies and technical committee ISO/TC 260 (Human resource management), which manages this standard.

Learn more:

https://www.iso.org/sectors/diversity-inclusion