EEOC seeks to rescind EEO-1 reporting requirements: What you should know

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has taken a significant step toward eliminating the federal EEO-1 reporting requirement that many employers have followed for decades. On July 21, 2026, the EEOC voted to issue a proposed rule that would rescind not only EEO-1 reporting but several other federal demographic reporting requirements as well.

Why EEOC wants to eliminate EEO-1 reporting

For nearly 60 years, private employers with 100 or more employees and federal contractors with at least 50 employees have generally been required to submit annual EEO-1 reports identifying employees by race, ethnicity, sex, and job category. The EEOC has used this information to monitor workplace trends and support discrimination investigations. According to the agency, however, the reporting requirements create substantial costs for employers while providing limited enforcement value. The EEOC estimates that the current reporting system costs employers nearly $275 million each year.