Let’s Clear It Up: Is ISO 31030 Mandatory?

No; ISO 31030 is not legally mandatory.

But here’s the catch: that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.

ISO 31030 is a voluntary guidance standard, which means it’s not enforced by law in most countries. However, if something goes wrong – an injury, a kidnapping, a medical emergency – your organization could still be held liable if you can’t demonstrate that you took reasonable steps to protect your people.

And that’s where ISO 31030 comes in.

It’s increasingly being used as the benchmark for what a “reasonable duty of care” looks like.

Understanding Legal Exposure: What’s the Risk of Non-Compliance?

Let’s say an employee is injured while traveling for work. You didn’t provide a risk briefing. There was no emergency plan. The company couldn’t locate them for hours.

In court, the question won’t be, “Did you follow ISO 31030?”

It’ll be:
“Did you do everything a responsible employer should have done to keep them safe?”

If you followed ISO 31030 – even partially – you can show that:

• You assessed the risks
• You trained the traveler
• You had response protocols in place
• You made reasonable efforts to protect them

That’s the kind of evidence that reduces liability and strengthens your legal defense.

How ISO 31030 Aligns With Workplace Safety Laws

In many countries, duty of care isn’t just an ethical ideal, it’s the law.

For example:

• UK: The Health and Safety at Work Act applies to employees traveling on behalf of their employer.
• Canada: Occupational health and safety laws extend to traveling workers.
• EU: Corporate liability can arise from failure to safeguard employee health, even abroad.
• US: While less centralized, OSHA and case law can still hold employers accountable for international incidents.

ISO 31030 doesn’t replace these laws, but it helps you meet them.

ISO 31030 as a Compliance Framework

Even though ISO 31030 isn’t regulatory, it’s becoming the go-to compliance framework for:

• Global companies managing international employee mobility
• NGOs operating in high-risk regions
• Universities with study abroad programs
• Corporations responding to ESG and HR audits

It offers a structured way to implement, document, and continually improve your travel safety process.

What Happens If You Ignore It?

Skipping ISO 31030, or having no travel risk policy at all, can lead to:

• Legal claims for negligence or breach of duty of care
• Reputational damage (especially if the incident goes public)
• Loss of employee trust and increased turnover
• Insurance disputes or claim denials

Compliance Checklist: Are You Following ISO 31030?

Use this short list as a self-check:

• Are you performing pre-travel risk assessments?
• Do you provide travelers with training and briefings?
• What is your emergency response plan?
• Can you identify the location of your staff and their safety status during an emergency?
• What kind of post-trip review or feedback are you collecting?

If you answered “no” or “I don’t know” to any of these, ISO 31030 can help fill the gap.

Final Thoughts

So, is ISO 31030 mandatory?

Not yet. But that doesn’t mean it’s optional.

In the eyes of your employees, your legal team, and your insurers, ISO 31030 is quickly becoming the default standard for travel safety.

It helps protect your people.
It helps protect your business.
And when something goes wrong, it shows that you did the right thing.

Ready to build your travel risk policy with ISO 31030 in mind?
Talk to Sitata about tools and support that align with the standard.