NR-1 in Practice: The New Challenges of Managing Psychosocial Risks in Companies

With the compliance deadline set for May 26, the update to Regulatory Standard No. 1 (NR-1) marks a new chapter in how Brazilian companies are expected to structure and manage occupational risks.

By establishing Occupational Risk Management (GRO) as a mandatory requirement for organizations with employees under Brazil’s Consolidation of Labour Laws (CLT), the regulation expands the traditional scope of occupational health and safety and more explicitly introduces the need to identify, assess, and manage psychosocial risks.

In practice, this regulatory development elevates mental health and workplace well-being to a strategic business priority, with direct implications for organizational culture, target-setting processes, leadership styles, and people management practices.

Issues such as performance pressure, excessive working hours, lack of disconnection from work, and workplace harassment are now being viewed through a new lens, with the potential to generate significant legal, financial, and reputational consequences.

Against this backdrop, we hosted another edition of our Coffee with the Experts series, focusing on the topic “NR-1 in Practice: The New Challenges for Business Management.”

The discussion was led by Leonardo Carvalho, Partner and Head of the Labour & Employment practice, and Luiz Silva, Labour & Employment Coordinator, and featured the participation of Fernando Heidrich, Medical Manager of Health and Safety, and Lucinéia Francisco, Labour and Union Relations Consultant.

More than a regulatory analysis, the discussion provided a practical and strategic perspective on the key considerations companies should address as they adapt to NR-1. Topics included the need to review internal policies, foster integration between Legal, Compliance, and Human Resources teams, and strengthen leadership’s role in the effective implementation of the new requirements.

Another key topic was the impact of the regulation on both on-site and document-based inspections, highlighting the importance of maintaining robust internal records, structured reporting processes, and governance practices capable of demonstrating active risk management. The discussion also addressed increased union activity and the growing potential for litigation involving workplace mental health issues, further expanding companies’ exposure to risk.

By bringing together specialists with different perspectives, the event reinforced the importance of adopting an integrated approach to the regulation—one that goes beyond formal compliance and takes into account its broader strategic implications.

As a result, compliance with NR-1 is no longer merely a regulatory obligation. It also represents an opportunity for companies to reassess their management models, fostering workplaces that are more sustainable, safer, and aligned with best governance practices.

A Space for Knowledge Sharing and Networking

Beyond the technical discussions, the event also provided an opportunity for networking and the exchange of experiences among the business leaders, investors, and executives in attendance.

This and other initiatives reinforce our commitment to promoting strategic discussions around business growth, governance, and value creation—topics that are becoming increasingly relevant across the business ecosystem.