Gujarat Mandates Online Registration of Establishments Under OSH&WC Code 2020

The Government of Gujarat has issued a notification dated 27 August 2026 regarding the mandatory online registration of establishments under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH&WC Code).

This development marks another important step towards a digitally integrated and audit-ready labour compliance framework. Establishments covered under the requirement must now ensure that their registration details are completed or updated through the prescribed online mechanism within the applicable timelines.

What Has Changed?

The Gujarat Government has introduced mandatory online registration for covered establishments under the OSH&WC Code. The registration process is to be completed through the Shram Setu Portal, which became operational on 25 August 2026.

Who Is Required to Register?

Under Section 2(v), read with Section 3 of the OSH&WC Code, registration is compulsory for establishments employing 10 or more workers, including:

• Factories
• Building and construction sites
• Industrial establishments
• Commercial establishments

Key Takeaways for Establishments

Businesses operating factories, construction sites, industrial establishments or commercial establishments in Gujarat with 10 or more workers should treat the registration requirement as an immediate compliance priority.

Existing registrations obtained under legacy legislations such as the Factories Act, Shops and Establishments legislation or other earlier regulatory frameworks do not, by themselves, remove the requirement to complete the prescribed migration or registration process under the new framework.

Once the registration certificate is issued, establishments should ensure that it remains prominently displayed at the principal site of the establishment in the permitted physical or digital form.

Compliance Implications for Industries

For industries operating across Gujarat's major industrial and commercial hubs, this notification should be viewed as more than a registration formality. It reflects the wider transition towards digital, transparent and verifiable compliance systems.

1. Building Audit-Ready Compliance Systems

Organisations should ensure that their statutory registrations, records and supporting compliance documentation remain accessible, current and capable of being verified during an inspection or audit.

This is particularly relevant in areas such as labour law compliance, payroll processing, statutory contributions, operational controls and regulatory documentation.

2. Strengthening Establishment and Vendor Audits

With compliance processes becoming increasingly digital, employers should periodically review whether their establishment records and vendor-related statutory documentation are accurate, available and audit-ready. Contractor and vendor compliance should also be mapped into the organisation's broader governance framework.

3. Developing Internal Compliance Capability

Regulatory compliance can no longer remain restricted to the HR, compliance or legal functions alone. Relevant business stakeholders should understand key notifications, registration obligations, digital filing requirements and the process for responding to regulatory inspections and queries.

4. Moving Towards Risk-Based Compliance

Where penalties can run into lakhs of rupees, organisations should adopt a preventive and risk-based compliance approach. High-risk areas such as workplace safety, contractor management, employee welfare and statutory registrations should be mapped and monitored through defined internal controls.

5. Aligning with Global Compliance Standards

The Gujarat notification also reflects a broader regulatory trend towards greater digital transparency and accountability. Organisations with multinational operations or global stakeholder expectations should therefore view digital compliance readiness as an important element of their overall governance framework.

How Karma Management Global Can Support

Karma Management Global supports organisations in managing establishment compliance, statutory registrations, labour law compliance, compliance audits, vendor audits and governance requirements across India.

With a technology-driven compliance approach, organisations can strengthen regulatory visibility, improve documentation readiness and reduce exposure arising from delayed or incomplete statutory compliance.

For assistance with establishment registration, compliance audits or labour law advisory, businesses may connect with the Karma Management Global team.