Norma Regulamentadora No.1 (NR-1)

What Is NR-1?

Norma Regulamentadora No.1 (NR-1) is a mandatory federal regulatory standard for managing occupational risk in Brazil. The law establishes the Programa de Gerenciamento de Riscos (PGR) framework to define principles and requirements that employers must follow to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their employees.

Following a significant regulatory update (Portaria MTE 1.419/2024), the PGR also requires companies to systematically identify, assess, and control both psychosocial and physical workplace risks. With no single mandated methodology for assessing psychosocial risks, organizations are expected to adopt reasonable, documented approaches for their workplace.

The updated requirements become enforceable on May 26, 2026. Prior to this date, authorities are focusing on an educational and adaptation phase, during which companies are expected to align their processes before full enforcement begins.

Who Is Responsible for NR-1?

Brazil’s Ministry of Labor and Employment (Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego) is responsible for enforcing NR-1, while the Tripartite Permanent Commission (Comissão Tripartite Paritária Permanente (CTPP)) provides regulatory guidance, and labor inspectors (Auditores Fiscais de Trabalho) conduct workplace inspections and enforce compliance. 

Noncompliance may be cited by inspectors and adjudicated by the Labor Secretariat (Secretaria do Trabalho) under Brazil’s Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT).

What Are the Possible Penalties Under NR-1?

NR-1 does not define fixed fines directly. Penalties for noncompliance are established under the Norma Regulamentadora No.28 (NR-28) and vary depending on the severity of the violation and the size of the company. This means serious infractions can result in fines reaching tens of thousands of R$ per violation, with potential corrective measures or restrictions. 

What Does NR-1 Require?

NR-1 requires employers to implement a structured and documented approach to managing workplace risks. This includes establishing and maintaining a Programa de Gerenciamento de Riscos (PGR) that covers all relevant hazard categories, including physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial risks.
 

Some specific obligations, such as maintaining an Internal Accident Prevention Commission (CIPA), depend on the company’s size and sector. This means that certain requirements may vary in practice. 

NR-1 also requires companies to maintain structured processes for identifying and addressing workplace risks. In practice, many organizations implement confidential reporting mechanisms to meet this requirement, enabling employees to raise concerns consistently and in a documented manner.

Why Is NR-1 Important?

NR-1 represents a significant development in Brazilian labor regulation by formally recognizing psychosocial risks as part of workplace safety. By requiring companies to address issues such as harassment, burnout, and workplace conflict, the regulation shifts the focus from reactive incident management to proactive risk prevention.

This aligns Brazil with broader global trends, where organizations are expected to identify risks early, implement structured processes, and maintain clear documentation to reduce legal, financial, and reputational exposure.

How Does FaceUp Help Comply with NR-1?

NR-1 emphasizes the need for structured processes that allow organizations to identify, report, and manage workplace risks effectively.

FaceUp supports compliance by providing accessible reporting tools, including web forms, mobile applications, and hotlines available in 113 languages. Employees can report concerns safely and anonymously, helping organizations meet NR-1’s confidentiality requirements.

Combined with automated documentation and centralized case management, FaceUp enables organizations to capture incidents, manage investigations, and maintain audit-ready records that meet regulatory expectations.