Norway extends board gender balance rules to more types of company
Brønnøysundregistrene reminded businesses on 20 December 2024 that Norway's board gender balance requirements now cover more organisation types, including larger private limited companies. They are phased in from 1 January 2024 by size, measured by employees or total revenue. Boards of three to four may have at most two members of the same sex, rising to 60% for boards of nine or more, with matching rules for deputies and employee-elected members.
Following legislative changes, more Norwegian organisation types must meet gender balance requirements on their boards. Brønnøysundregistrene published an overview on 20 December 2024.
What applies
- For some organisation types the rules applied from 1 January 2024. For most they are phased in, starting with the largest by number of employees or total operating and financial income.
- Board composition limits (by legal sex, as recorded in the National Population Register):
- Three or four members: at most two of the same sex.
- Five or six members: at most three of the same sex.
- Seven members: at most four of the same sex.
- Eight members: at most five of the same sex.
- Nine or more: at most 60% of the same sex.
- The same rules apply to deputy members, and separately to employee-elected board members and deputies.
- Deadlines differ by organisation type, and there are exceptions.
Who is affected
Norwegian private limited companies (AS) and other organisations above the size thresholds, and the people who nominate their boards.
What to do
Check whether each Norwegian entity is in scope and by when, and plan board and deputy appointments to meet the limits.