M/473 - Design for All
Standardisation mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI to include "Design for All" in relevant standardisation initiatives
The mandate M/473 tasks the European Standardisation Organisations CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI with integrating the principles of "Design for All" into relevant standardisation initiatives. This directive aims to ensure that standards developed across sectors consider accessibility and usability for all individuals, including those with disabilities or special needs. By embedding "Design for All" concepts, the mandate promotes inclusivity and equal access in products, services, and environments throughout Europe. The decision relates to the approval or disapproval of the mandate under resolution CEN/BT C8/2011.
Purpose
The mandate M/473 aims to incorporate the principles of "Design for All" into relevant standardisation activities within the European standardisation system. This initiative seeks to ensure products, services, and environments are accessible and usable by as many people as possible, regardless of age, gender, or ability.
Standardisation request
This mandate requests the three European Standardisation Organisations - CEN (European Committee for Standardization), CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization), and ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) - to include "Design for All" considerations in their ongoing and future standardisation initiatives where applicable.
Expected deliverables
The deliverables expected from this mandate include:
- Integration of accessibility and usability principles aligned with "Design for All" in relevant European standards.
- Development or revision of standards to better reflect inclusive design requirements.
- Enhanced coordination between CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI to consistently apply "Design for All" principles across sectors.
Context
The mandate was adopted following the resolution reference CEN/BT C8/2011. It reflects the European Union's commitment to promote accessible environments and products to support social inclusion and equal opportunities for all citizens. Embedding "Design for All" within standardisation supports legal frameworks and policies related to disability, aging populations, and universal access.
The mandate covers the inclusion of "Design for All" principles in relevant standardisation initiatives. It focuses on ensuring that products, services, and environments are accessible and usable by all people, regardless of their age, disability, or other factors. The scope encompasses various sectors where standardisation can improve accessibility and usability in design, promoting inclusion across different industries and public services.
General Information
This document specifies requirements that enable an organization to design, develop and provide products, goods and services so that they can be accessed, understood and used by the widest range of users, including persons with disabilities.
This document specifies requirements and recommendations that enables an organization to extend their range of users by identifying diverse needs, characteristics, capabilities, and preferences, by directly or indirectly involving users, and by using knowledge about accessibility in its procedures and processes.
This document specifies requirements that can enable an organization to meet applicable statutory and regulatory requirements as related to the accessibility of its products, goods and services.
The requirements set out in this document are generic and are intended to be applicable to all relevant parts of all organisations, regardless of type, size or products, goods and services provided.
This document promotes accessibility following a Design for All approach in mainstream products goods and services and interoperability of these with assistive technologies.
This document does not provide technical design specifications and does not imply uniformity in design or functionality of products, goods and services.
- Standard53 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document specifies requirements that enable an organization to design, develop and provide products, goods and services so that they can be accessed, understood and used by the widest range of users, including persons with disabilities.
This document specifies requirements and recommendations that enables an organization to extend their range of users by identifying diverse needs, characteristics, capabilities, and preferences, by directly or indirectly involving users, and by using knowledge about accessibility in its procedures and processes.
This document specifies requirements that can enable an organization to meet applicable statutory and regulatory requirements as related to the accessibility of its products, goods and services.
The requirements set out in this document are generic and are intended to be applicable to all relevant parts of all organisations, regardless of type, size or products, goods and services provided.
This document promotes accessibility following a Design for All approach in mainstream products goods and services and interoperability of these with assistive technologies.
This document does not provide technical design specifications and does not imply uniformity in design or functionality of products, goods and services.
- Standard53 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
Frequently Asked Questions
A European Standardization Mandate is a formal request from the European Commission to the European Standardization Organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) to develop European standards (ENs) in support of EU legislation and policies. Mandates are issued under Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and help ensure that products and services meet the essential requirements set out in EU directives and regulations.
M/473 is a European Standardization Mandate titled "Standardisation mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI to include "Design for All" in relevant standardisation initiatives". Standardisation mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI to include "Design for All" in relevant standardisation initiatives There are 2 standards developed under this mandate.
Standards developed in response to a mandate and cited in the Official Journal of the European Union become "harmonized standards". Products manufactured in compliance with harmonized standards benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation, facilitating CE marking and market access across the European Economic Area.