IEC 82079-1:2012

IEC 82079-1
Edition 1.0 2012-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Preparation of instructions for use – Structuring, content and presentation –
Part 1: General principles and detailed requirements

Établissement des instructions d’utilisation – Structure, contenu
et présentation –
Partie 1: Principes généraux et exigences détaillées

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IEC 82079-1
Edition 1.0 2012-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Preparation of instructions for use – Structuring, content and presentation –

Part 1: General principles and detailed requirements

Établissement des instructions d’utilisation – Structure, contenu

et présentation –
Partie 1: Principes généraux et exigences détaillées

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX XB
ICS 01.110: 29.020 ISBN 978-2-83220-096-4

– 2 – 82079-1 © IEC:2012
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 6
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 Principles . 14
4.1 Provision of instructions for use . 14
4.1.1 General . 14
4.1.2 Instructions for use are part of the product . 14
4.1.3 Consistency of information . 14
4.1.4 Product warranty . 14
4.1.5 Information provided after sale of products . 14
4.1.6 Security aspects . 15
4.2 Quality of communication . 15
4.3 Minimizing risks . 15
4.4 Target group(s) . 15
4.5 Special precautions . 16
4.6 Short-life products . 16
4.7 Considerations to the nature of instructions for use . 16
4.7.1 General . 16
4.7.2 Location . 16
4.7.3 Means of communication and media . 16
4.7.4 Durability . 17
4.7.5 Availability . 17
4.7.6 Electronic guidance systems . 17
4.7.7 User training . 18
4.8 Creating instructions for use . 18
4.8.1 Conformity with the product . 18
4.8.2 Consideration of needs of target groups . 19
4.8.3 Languages. 20
5 Content of instructions for use . 21
5.1 General . 21
5.2 Identification of instructions for use . 21
5.3 Identification of the product . 21
5.4 Modification of products . 22
5.5 Safety-related information . 22
5.5.1 General . 22
5.5.2 Safety notes . 23
5.5.3 Warning messages . 23
5.5.4 Safety-related information for industrial plants . 24
5.5.5 Safety related information in quick-start guides . 24
5.6 Product compliance . 24
5.7 Importance of retaining instructions for use . 24
5.8 Preparing products for use . 24
5.8.1 Transportation and storage . 24
5.8.2 Installation . 24

82079-1 © IEC:2012 – 3 –
5.8.3 Commissioning . 25
5.9 Operation of products . 25
5.9.1 General . 25
5.9.2 Normal operation . 25
5.9.3 Additional information for automatic and remotely controlled products . 25
5.9.4 Indications of faults and warning device signals . 26
5.9.5 Exceptional/emergency situations . 26
5.9.6 Troubleshooting and repair by non-skilled persons . 26
5.9.7 Troubleshooting and repair by skilled persons . 26
5.10 Maintenance of the product . 27
5.10.1 General . 27
5.10.2 Product maintenance by non-skilled persons . 27
5.10.3 Product maintenance by skilled persons . 27
5.10.4 Planned maintenance of industrial plants . 28
5.11 Supplied accessories, consumables and spare parts . 28
5.11.1 Accessories . 28
5.11.2 Consumables. 28
5.11.3 Spare/replacement parts . 28
5.12 Information on special tools, equipment and materials . 29
5.13 Information on repair of products and replacement of parts . 29
5.13.1 Information on repair of products and replacement of parts by non-
skilled persons . 29
5.13.2 Information on repair of products and replacement of parts by skilled
persons . 29
5.14 Information required when the product is no longer needed . 29
5.14.1 General . 29
5.14.2 Disassembly . 29
5.14.3 Recycling . 30
5.14.4 Disposal . 30
5.15 Structure of instruction for use . 30
5.15.1 General . 30
5.15.2 Page numbering . 30
5.15.3 Table of contents . 30
5.15.4 Index . 30
5.15.5 Technical terms, acronyms and abbreviations. 30
5.15.6 Graphical and tactile symbols and tactile dots . 31
5.15.7 Presentational conventions . 31
5.15.8 User controls and indicators . 31
6 Presentation of instructions for use . 31
6.1 Comprehensibility . 31
6.1.1 Recognized communication principles . 31
6.1.2 Style guide . 31
6.1.3 Structure . 32
6.1.4 Consistent terminology . 32
6.1.5 Simple and brief . 32
6.1.6 One sentence, one command . 32
6.1.7 Rules for simple wording . 32
6.1.8 Standardized safety signs and graphical symbols . 33
6.1.9 Ergonomic principles . 33

– 4 – 82079-1 © IEC:2012
6.1.10 Keeping the attention of the readers . 33
6.1.11 Proof reading . 33
6.2 Legibility . 34
6.2.1 Text font sizes and graphical symbol heights . 34
6.2.2 Maximum brightness contrast . 36
6.2.3 Legibility standards. 36
6.2.4 Layout . 36
6.2.5 Instructions for use on surfaces of products or packaging . 37
6.3 Illustrations and supporting text . 37
6.3.1 Quality . 37
6.3.2 Following a sequence of operations . 37
6.3.3 Illustration with captions . 37
6.3.4 One illustration, one item of information. 38
6.4 Graphical symbols, including safety signs . 38
6.4.1 Graphical symbols for use on equipment, including safety signs . 38
6.4.2 Explanation of graphical symbols . 38
6.4.3 Graphical symbols for diagrams . 38
6.4.4 Minimum sizes of graphical symbols . 38
6.5 Use of tables . 38
6.6 Use of appropriate document types . 38
6.7 Use of electronic media . 39
6.7.1 General . 39
6.7.2 Didactic requirements . 39
6.7.3 Requirements for downloadable instructions for use . 40
6.7.4 Requirements for user interaction . 40
6.8 Making safety-related information prominent and conspicuous . 41
6.8.1 Making text conspicuous . 41
6.8.2 Making illustrations conspicuous . 41
6.8.3 Design and placement of warning messages . 41
6.8.4 Permanence and visibility . 41
6.8.5 Making warning messages prominent . 41
6.8.6 Signal words . 41
6.9 Colours . 42
6.9.1 Consistency . 42
6.9.2 Colour perception considerations . 42
6.9.3 Photocopying/printing considerations. 42
7 Evaluation of conformity to this part of the 82079 series . 42
7.1 Claiming conformity to this part of the 82079 series. 42
7.2 Documentary evidence of evaluation . 43
Annex A (normative) Evaluation of instructions for use . 44
Annex B (informative) Checklist for conformity and comments . 45
Annex C (informative) Checklist for communication effectiveness . 48
Annex D (informative) Planning the preparation of instructions for use . 51
Annex E (informative) Empirical methods supporting the preparation of instructions for use 55
Bibliography . 58

82079-1 © IEC:2012 – 5 –
Table 1 – Writing style examples . 33
Table 2 – Minimum recommended text font sizes and graphical symbol heights . 35

– 6 – 82079-1 © IEC:2012
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
PREPARATION OF INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE –
STRUCTURING, CONTENT AND PRESENTATION –

Part 1: General principles and detailed requirements

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 82079-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 3:
Information structures, documentation and graphical symbols, in liaison with ISO technical
committee 10: Technical product documentation, and with the ISO Committee on consumer
policy (COPOLCO).
This first edition cancels and replaces IEC 62079 published in 2001.It constitutes a technical
revision.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
3/1093/FDIS 3/1103/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.

82079-1 © IEC:2012 – 7 –
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC Web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
– 8 – 82079-1 © IEC:2012
PREPARATION OF INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE –
STRUCTURING, CONTENT AND PRESENTATION –

Part 1: General principles and detailed requirements

1 Scope
This part of IEC 82079 provides general principles and detailed requirements for the design
and formulation of all types of instructions for use that will be necessary or helpful for users of
products of all kinds, ranging from a tin of paint to large or highly complex products, such as
large industrial machinery, turnkey based plants or buildings.
NOTE The term "product" as defined in 3.29 relates to consumer, non-consumer, electrical, electronic,
electromechanical, mechanical and other products.
This part is intended for all parties involved in the preparation of instructions for use, for
example:
• Suppliers, technical writers, technical illustrators, software designers, translators or other
people engaged in the work of conceiving and drafting such instructions for use;
This part of IEC 82079 does not specify a fixed amount of documentation that has to be
delivered with a product. This is obviously not possible because this part is applicable to all
kinds of products. The amount of documentation required, will depend on the nature of the
product, its complexity and the skills of the intended users.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60204-1:2005, Safety of machinery – Electrical equipment of machines – Part 1: General
requirements
IEC 60417, Graphical symbols for use on equipment
IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 60617, Graphical symbols for diagrams
IEC 62507-1, Identification systems enabling unambiguous information interchange –
Requirements – Part 1: Principles and methods
IEC/PAS 62569-1:2009, Generic specification of information on products – Part 1: Principles
and methods
ISO 3864 (all parts), Graphical symbols – Safety colours and safety signs
ISO 3864-2, Graphical symbols – Safety colours and safety signs – Part 2: Design principles
for product safety labels
82079-1 © IEC:2012 – 9 –
ISO 7000, Graphical symbols for use on equipment – Index and synopsis
ISO 7010, Graphical symbols – Safety colours and safety signs – Registered safety signs
ISO 9241 (all parts), Ergonomics of human-system interaction
ISO 11683, Packaging – Tactile warnings of danger – Requirements
ISO 12100, Safety of machinery – General principles for design – Risk assessment and risk
reduction.
ISO 14617 (all parts), Graphical symbols for diagrams
ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, Safety aspects – Guidelines for their inclusion in standards
ISO/IEC Guide 71:2001, Guidelines for standards developers to address the needs of older
persons and persons with disabilities
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
NOTE Terms in italics are defined elsewhere in this clause.
3.1
accessible design product
product which is designed to maximize the number of potential users
3.2
braille
writing system using a series of two dimensional patterns of raised dots to be read with the
fingers
3.3
commissioning
procedures prior, or related, to the handing over of a product ready for putting into service,
including final acceptance testing, the handing over of all documentation relevant to the use
of the product and, if necessary, instructing personnel
3.4
component
product used as a constituent in an assembled product, system or plant
[SOURCE: IEC 81346-1:2009, definition 3.7]
3.5
conformity
fulfillment of specified requirements
Note 1 to entry: The term “conformance” is synonymous but deprecated.
3.6
consequence
outcome of an occurrence of a particular set of circumstances
Note 1 to entry: There can be more than one consequence from one event.

– 10 – 82079-1 © IEC:2012
Note 2 to entry: Consequences can range from positive to negative. However, the consequences of not following
safety requirements will always be negative.
Note 3 to entry: Consequences can be expressed qualitatively or quantitatively.
[SOURCE: ISO Guide 73:2009, definition 3.6.1.3 modified]
3.7
consumable
any part or material that is necessary for continued use or maintenance of the product
3.8
consumer
individual member of the general public, purchasing or using products, property or services,
for private purposes
Note 1 to entry: For the purpose of the requirements of this part of IEC 82079, a “consumer” is assumed not to be
a skilled person.
3.9
consumer product
product available to, intended for or likely to be used by consumers
Note 1 to entry: Consumer products include accessible design products.
3.10
customer
individual or organization that purchases or receives a product
Note 1 to entry: Examples are consumer, client, end-user, retailer, beneficiary and purchaser.
Note 2 to entry: The term "customer" includes but has a broader meaning than “consumer”.
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2005, definition 3.3.5, modified]
3.11
display
device provided as part of a product for the purpose of visually or tangibly presenting
information by human-readable text or graphics
3.12
document
fixed and structured amount of information intended for human perception that can be
managed and interchanged as a unit between users and systems
[SOURCE: IEC 61082-1:2006, definition 3.1.2]
3.13
documentation
collection of documents related to a given subject
[SOURCE: IEC 61082-1:2006, definition 3.1.4]
3.14
equipment
associated assemblies intended to achieve a defined final objective
3.15
graphical symbol
visual perceptible figure with a particular meaning used to transmit information independently
of language
82079-1 © IEC:2012 – 11 –
[SOURCE: IEC 80416-1:2008, definition 3.4]
3.16
harm
physical injury or damage to the health of people or damage to property or the environment
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, definition 3.3]
3.17
hazard
potential source of harm
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, definition 3.5]
3.18
illustration
visually perceptible figure, such as graphical image, picture, figure, photograph, line drawing,
etc., artificially created to transmit specific information, excluding graphical symbols
3.19
instructions for use
information provided by the supplier of a product to the user, containing all the necessary
provisions to convey the actions to be performed for the safe and efficient use of the product
Note 1 to entry: Instructions for use of a single product comprise one or more documents.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 14:2003, definition 2.8, modified]
3.20
intended use
exhaustive range of functions or foreseen applications defined and designed by the supplier
of the product
Note 1 to entry: Functions or applications not listed by the supplier are excluded from the intended use of the
product.
Note 2 to entry: Additional or modified functions or applications resulting from modifications not sanctioned by
the supplier of the product are excluded from the intended use.
3.21
label
item, attached to a product, which displays information related to one or more characteristic(s)
of the product
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 14:2003, definition 2.9]
3.22
maintenance
actions intended to retain a product in or restore it to a useful and safe condition, in which it
can perform the intended use
3.23
manual
document containing information for the use of a product
Note 1 to entry: The definition D00014 in IEC 61355 defines the document type “XXX Manual”, where the letters
XXX are intended to be replaced by the type of manual.

– 12 – 82079-1 © IEC:2012
3.24
marking
logo, inscription, graphical symbol, pictogram, tactile indicator, warning sign on the product to
identify its type or to give directive
Note 1 to entry: Marking may also include short textual messages.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 14:2003, definition 2.4, modified]
3.25
modification
changes made to a product in order to alter its specified intended use
3.26
organization
group of individuals and facilities with an arrangement of responsibilities, authorities and
relationships
EXAMPLES Company, corporation, firm, enterprise, institution, charity, sole trader, association, or parts or
combination thereof
Note 1 to entry: An organization can be public or private.
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2005, definition 3.3.1, modified]
3.27
personal protective equipment
special device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against
one or more health and safety hazards
3.28
plant
assembly of different systems on a specific site
[SOURCE: IEC 61355-1:2008, definition 3.10]
3.29
product
intended or accomplished result of labour, or of a natural or artificial process, which could be
a good or service
Note 1 to entry: Instructions for use are seen as a part of a product.
3.30
product safety label
label on a product that informs the observer of one or more potential hazards and describes
the safety precautions and/or actions required to avoid the hazard(s)
[SOURCE: ISO 17724:2003, definition 3.58]
3.31
reasonably foreseeable misuse
use of a product in a way not described as intended use in the instructions for use, but which
may result from readily predictable human behaviour
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, definition 3.14, modified]
3.32
repair
part of corrective maintenance in which actions are performed on a product including
replacement of worn-out parts and reworking of defective or damaged parts or functions

82079-1 © IEC:2012 – 13 –
3.33
risk
combination of the probability of occurrence of harm and the severity of that harm
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, definition 3.2]
3.34
safety note
safety-related information that is collected or grouped in a document or section of a document
in a meaningful organizational system to explain safety measures, raise safety awareness and
provide a basis for safety related training of users
3.35
safety sign
sign giving a general safety message, obtained by a combination of colour and geometric
shape and which, by the addition of a graphical symbol, gives a particular safety message
[SOURCE: ISO 7010:2011, definition 3.3]
3.36
service
result of activities between a supplier and a customer, and the internal activities carried out by
the supplier to meet the requirements of the customer
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 14:2003, definition 2.2, modified]
3.37
skilled person
individual with relevant technical education, training and/or experience enabling him or her to
perceive risks and to avoid hazards occurring during use of a product
[SOURCE: IEV 195-04-01, modified and IEC 60204-1:2005, definition 3.53, modified]
3.38
supplied accessory
part packaged with the product (or as optional extra) that is necessary for certain operations
or maintenance of the product
3.39
supplier
individual or organization that provides products and related documentation
Note 1 to entry: Examples of supplier are producer, manufacturer, integrator, vendor, distributor, retailer, agency,
provider of information or their authorized representatives.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 14:2003, definition 2.16, modified and ISO 9000:2005, definition
3.3.6, modified]
3.40
target group
group of persons for which instructions for use are intended
3.41
use
activity that the user may perform with or on the product during its whole life cycle
3.42
user
individual or organization that uses products

– 14 – 82079-1 © IEC:2012
Note 1 to entry: In this part of IEC 82079, the term “user” means “end user” except when otherwise noted
3.43
warning message
safety-related information that warns users about hazards and instructs on how to avoid them
Note 1 to entry: Warning messages are normally given within instructions for use related to tasks in which the
hazards may occur.
4 Principles
4.1 Provision of instructions for use
4.1.1 General
The level of description and details of information shall be adapted to the knowledge of target
group(s). Instructions for use shall ensure the completeness of relevant information at a
sufficient level of detail based on the ascertained needs of the target group.
4.1.2 Instructions for use are part of the product
A product shall be accompanied by instructions for use which promote its intended use and
contain all information that a user needs to know when using the product. Where instructions
for use comprise more than one document, these shall be arranged in a meaningful and
organized system and support navigation. The way in which third party documents are
integrated shall be based on customer requirements and user needs.
Instructions for use shall when followed by the user contribute to reducing the risk of injury or
illness to people or animals, and risks of damage, malfunction or inefficient operation of the
product. Instructions for use cannot compensate for design deficiencies or missing safety
systems (see ISO/IEC Guide 37).
4.1.3 Consistency of information
All information in instructions for use shall be consistent within itself, with the product and
with all other information relating to the same product issued by the supplier, such as
advertising or packaging and any warranty and Web based information. Information in
instructions for use must also be consistent with any legal requirements which may result from
any warranty stipulations. Consistent terminology shall be used in the instructions for use, on
the product and its packaging, and in supplementary materials, all training and promotional
materials including markings, labels and transport packaging.
4.1.4 Product warranty
The product warranty shall include all relevant terms and conditions (for example, date of
expiry, service conditions, allowed modifications, availability of spare parts), and shall be
provided together with the instructions for use.
It may be appropriate to put the product warranty into a separate document especially when
the terms vary between different sales channels or countries.
4.1.5 Information provided after sale of products
After the product has passed into the user’s possession, it can be helpful to provide, via
Internet based message exchange or other means of communication to users and target
groups, reference copies of the instructions for use (including any subsequent additions or
revisions) and other information that will be beneficial to the user. When safety-critical
revisions are made to instructions for use after the sale of products, then – in addition to
updating the version on the Web site – the users should be informed individually or by mass

82079-1 © IEC:2012 – 15 –
media announcements in order to fulfil the supplier’s duties under local legislation covering
safety recalls or product liability.
4.1.6 Security aspects
Inclusion of security aspects shall be in accordance with ISO/IEC Guide 81.
4.2 Quality of communication
The preparation of instructions for use, including checking and proofreading, shall be the
responsibility of expert writers or specialists. They must have:
• advanced competencies in communication, particularly technical communication ;
• solid competencies in the original language;
• familiarity with the subject area;
• knowledge of the process chain for the preparation of instructions for use and are
competent in the application of the requirements of this part of the 82079 series in the
process chain.
Instructions for use should be contextually edited by qualified persons specialised in writing
for the target groups.
4.3 Minimizing risks
Instructions for use are an integral part of the safe operation and maintenance of a product.
They shall provide information to avoid any unacceptable risk for the user or other parties,
damage to the product itself or other products, malfunction or inefficient operation.
Instructions for use shall provide users with the necessary information to allow them to
identify and avoid reasonably foreseeable misuse. This requires that the product supplier
ensures that the following are taken into account:
• risk assessment of use, i.e. the analysis of the process from risk analysis to risk
evaluation, shall be undertaken by the supplier in accordance with ISO 12100 and/or
IEC 60204-1 if applicable;
• result of the risk assessment, that is residual risk, shall be taken into account in the
instructions for use as safety-related information in accordance with ISO/IEC Guide 51
and any relevant standards for safety-related information;
• reasonably foreseeable misuse and risks arising from the use of the product shall be
covered.
See also 5.5.
NOTE As a matter of principle, the supplier has an obligation to include safety-related information, in fact it is a
legal requirement in most countries.
4.4 Target group(s)
When preparing instructions for use, the needs and capabilities of the intended target group
shall be addressed. Usually they will be the type of people likely to use the product, defined
for example by age range, language, technical knowledge, or technical discipline. See also
4.8.2 and 4.8.3.
If instructions for use are directed to more than one target group (for example consumers and
persons responsible for installation, repair or certain types of maintenance), they shall be
separated into relevant sections
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