SIST EN IEC 63008:2020

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2020
Gospodinjski in podobni električni aparati - Dostopnost kontrolnih elementov,
vrat, pokrovov, predalov in ročajev
Household and similar electrical appliances - Accessibility of control elements, doors,
lids, drawers and handles
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 63008:2020
ICS:
97.030 Električni aparati za dom na Domestic electrical
splošno appliances in general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 63008

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2020
ICS 97.030
English Version
Household and similar electrical appliances - Accessibility of
control elements, doors, lids, drawers and handles
(IEC 63008:2020)
Appareils électrodomestiques et analogues - Accessibilité Elektrische Geräte für den Hausgebrauch und ähnliche
des éléments de commande, portes, abattants, tiroirs et Zwecke - Barrierefreiheit von Bedienelementen, Türen,
poignées Deckeln, Einschüben und Griffen
(IEC 63008:2020) (IEC 63008:2020)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2020-05-01. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 63008:2020 E
European foreword
The text of document 59/720/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 63008, prepared by IEC/TC 59
"Performance of household and similar electrical appliances" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC
parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as EN IEC 63008:2020.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2021-02-01
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2023-05-01
document have to be withdrawn
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 63008:2020 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards
indicated:
ISO/IEC Guide 71:2014 NOTE Harmonized as CEN/CLC Guide 6:2014 (not modified)
ISO 9241-112:2017 NOTE Harmonized as EN ISO 9241-112:2017 (not modified)
ISO 26800:2011 NOTE Harmonized as EN ISO 26800:2011 (not modified)
ISO 24551:2019 NOTE Harmonized as EN ISO 24551:2019 (not modified)
ISO 24503:2011 NOTE Harmonized as EN ISO 24503:2011 (not modified)

Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant
EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available here:
www.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60417 - Graphical symbols for use on equipment - -
IEC/TS 62835 2015 Electric toasters for household and similar - -
use - Methods and measurements for
improving accessibility
IEC/IEEE 82079-1 2019 Preparation of information for use EN IEC/IEEE 2020
(instructions for use) of products - Part 1: 82079-1
Principles and general requirements
ISO 7000 - Graphical symbols for use on equipment - -
ISO 7010 - Graphical symbols - Safety colours and - -
safety signs - Registered safety signs
ISO 15008 2017 Road vehicles - Ergonomic aspects of EN ISO 15008 2017
transport information and control systems
- Specifications and test procedures for
in-vehicle visual presentation
ISO/TR 22411 2008 Ergonomics data and guidelines for the CEN ISO/TR 2011
application of ISO/IEC Guide 71 to 22411
products and services to address the
needs of older persons and persons with
disabilities
ISO 80000-1 2009 Quantities and units - Part 1: General EN ISO 80000-1 2013
ISO 8995-1 2002 Lighting of work places - Part 1: Indoor - -

IEC 63008 ®
Edition 1.0 2020-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Household and similar electrical appliances – Accessibility of control elements,

doors, lids, drawers and handles

Appareils électrodomestiques et analogues – Accessibilité des éléments de

commande, portes, abattants, tiroirs et poignées

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 97.030 ISBN 978-2-8322-8036-2

– 2 – IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Classification of control elements, doors, lids, drawers and handles . 9
4.1 Classification of control elements . 9
4.1.1 Rotary control elements and knobs . 9
4.1.2 Slide controls . 9
4.1.3 Buttons and switches . 10
4.1.4 Control panels . 11
4.2 Classification of doors, lids and drawers . 11
4.2.1 Doors and lids . 11
4.2.2 Drawers . 11
4.2.3 Handgrips and finger grips . 11
4.3 Classification of handles . 11
5 Accessibility considerations . 12
5.1 Users’ characteristics . 12
5.1.1 General . 12
5.1.2 Impairments . 12
5.2 Procedure . 13
6 General conditions for the measurements . 13
6.1 Ambient conditions. 13
6.2 Installation and positioning of the appliance . 13
6.3 Measurements . 14
6.3.1 General . 14
6.3.2 Linear dimensions . 14
6.3.3 Angle . 14
6.3.4 Force . 14
6.3.5 Torque . 14
6.3.6 Rounding . 14
7 Test procedure . 14
7.1 Method . 14
7.2 Control elements and control panels . 14
7.2.1 General . 14
7.2.2 Perceive . 14
7.2.3 Recognize . 15
7.2.4 Reach . 15
7.2.5 Operate . 15
7.2.6 Monitor . 17
7.3 Doors, lids and drawers . 17
7.3.1 Perceive . 17
7.3.2 Recognize . 18
7.3.3 Reach . 18
7.3.4 Operate . 18
7.3.5 Monitor . 21

IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020 – 3 –
7.4 Handles . 21
7.4.1 Perceive . 21
7.4.2 Recognize . 21
7.4.3 Reach . 21
7.4.4 Operate . 21
7.4.5 Monitor . 23
7.5 Presentation of information on the appliance. 23
7.5.1 General . 23
7.5.2 Visual symbols . 23
7.5.3 Characters . 23
7.5.4 Colour contrast . 24
7.5.5 Tactile markings . 24
7.5.6 Audible signals . 24
7.5.7 Indicator lights . 24
7.5.8 Display screens . 25
Annex A (informative) Requirements of touch-control elements for visually impaired
users . 26
Bibliography . 27

Figure 1 – Cylindrical knobs and a bar-grip knob . 9
Figure 2 – Selection wheel . 9
Figure 3 – Slide control . 10
Figure 4 – Hand grip . 20
Figure 5 – Knuckle clearance when holding a handgrip . 20
Figure 6 – Handle with finger shapings to be avoided . 22
Figure 7 – Handles for supporting – examples . 22

Table 1 – Dimensions and activation force/torque of control elements . 16

– 4 – IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES –
ACCESSIBILITY OF CONTROL ELEMENTS,
DOORS, LIDS, DRAWERS AND HANDLES

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.
IEC 63008 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 59: Performance of household and
similar electrical appliances.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
59/720/FDIS 59/723/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020 – 5 –
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
– 6 – IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020
INTRODUCTION
Ever greater demands are now being placed on the accessibility of products, but, despite this,
there has been no easily available data for assessing and evaluating household appliances
from an accessibility perspective. An effective way to conduct product development is to work
on the basis of adequate testing methods for assessing various properties, as accessibility
recommendations can be formulated more clearly and be given greater emphasis during the
development of household and similar appliances. It is important that accessibility properties
be prioritized alongside functional, technical and production-related properties.
For this purpose, an inventory of sources with a product-accessibility focus has been drawn up,
which has given useful basic information and data for setting recommendations for the design
of household appliances. This International Standard on control elements, doors, lids, drawers
and handles is a result of this work, and provides information in the form of accessibility facts
and an understanding of the interaction of appliances and users with a wide range of abilities.
This document provides requirements, recommendations and measurements for specified
product characteristics, i.e. related to control elements, doors, lids, drawers and handles of
household and similar appliances. This contributes to their accessibility and underlying
ergonomic principles. However, products may have other aspects that are not covered in this
document, that might not be accessible. This information originates from scientific knowledge
and the theory of ergonomics, physiology, product design and other relevant disciplines. This
document applies ISO/IEC Guide 71:2014 and ISO/TR 22411:2008 to household and similar
appliances. Data is drawn from ISO/TR 22411:2008 and, if not specified there, from other
sources.
The purpose of designing and evaluating household and similar appliances with regard to
accessibility is to maximize the number of people who can readily use the products. A more
accessible product considers specific product characteristics. Such products are easier to use
and beneficial for all users. This document explains the characteristics that meet the needs and
abilities of an intended user in relation to control elements, doors, lids, drawers and handles.

IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020 – 7 –
HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES –
ACCESSIBILITY OF CONTROL ELEMENTS,
DOORS, LIDS, DRAWERS AND HANDLES

1 Scope
This document contains accessibility requirements to enable more accessible use of certain
elements found on household and similar electrical appliances by older persons and persons
with disabilities. It provides guidance to achieve accessible design of only control elements
(e.g. knobs, buttons), including control panels, display screens and doors, lids, drawers and
handles. It does not enable the full assessment of the overall accessibility of a household
appliance. This document covers supporting and auxiliary functions that a user performs
regularly. Assembly, installation, configuration or repair of appliances are excluded.
This document provides test methods and data that support accessible design.
This document gives guidance to apply ISO/TR 22441:2008 and ISO/IEC Guide 71:2014 to the
design of various interactive elements of household and similar electrical appliances. It does
not deal with remote controls, or control via network or mobile applications. Touch control
elements are covered in this document (see also Annex A), but new interaction controls, such
as gestures and speech control, are not covered.
This document does not deal with safety issues.
NOTE IEC 60335 (all parts) sets out requirements on safety issues, e.g. surface temperatures and sharp edges.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60417, Graphical symbols for use on equipment (available at http://www.graphical-
symbols.info/equipment)
IEC TS 62835:2015, Electric toasters for household and similar use – Methods and
measurements for improving accessibility
IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2019, Preparation of information for use (instructions for use) of products –
Part 1: Principles and general requirements
ISO 7000, Graphical symbols for use on equipment (available at http://www.graphical-
symbols.info/equipment)
ISO 7010, Graphical symbols – Safety colours and safety signs – Registered safety signs
ISO 15008:2017, Road vehicles – Ergonomic aspects of transport information and control
systems – Specifications and test procedures for in-vehicle visual presentation
ISO/TR 22411:2008, Ergonomics data and guidelines for the application of ISO/IEC Guide 71
to products and services to address the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities

– 8 – IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020
ISO 80000-1:2009, Quantities and units – Part 1: General
ISO 8995-1:2002, Lighting of work places – Part 1: Indoor
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
accessibility
extent to which products, systems, services, environments and facilities can be used by people
from a population with the widest range of user needs, characteristics and capabilities to
achieve identified goals in identified contexts of use
Note 1 to entry: Context of use includes direct use or use supported by assistive technologies.
[SOURCE: ISO 9241-112:2017, 3.15]
3.2
accessible design
design focused on diverse users to maximize the number of potential users who can readily use
a system in diverse contexts
Note 1 to entry: This aim can be achieved by (1) designing systems that are readily usable by most users without
any modification, (2) making systems adaptable to different users (by providing adaptable user interfaces) and
(3) having standardized interfaces to be compatible with assistive products and assistive technology.
Note 2 to entry: Terms such as universal design, accessible design, design for all, barrier-free design, inclusive
design and transgenerational design are often used interchangeably with the same meaning.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 71:2014, 2.19]
3.3
impairments
problems in body function or structure related to a significant deviation or loss
Note 1 to entry: Impairments can be temporary or permanent; progressive, regressive or static; intermittent or
continuous.
Note 2 to entry: See also ICF 2001 [9], WHO, A.4.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 71:2014, 2.5, modified – Note 2 to entry added.]
3.4
user
person who accesses or interacts with the appliance
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 71:2014, 2.2, modified – In the definition, "individual" has been
replaced by "person" and "a system" has been replaced by "the appliance".]

IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020 – 9 –
4 Classification of control elements, doors, lids, drawers and handles
4.1 Classification of control elements
4.1.1 Rotary control elements and knobs
These include different knobs of different types, including cylindrical knobs and bar-grip knobs,
which can be seen in Figure 1. They may have discrete positions or continuous settings, or
both.
They may have a push function for confirming a selection or hiding the element.

Figure 1 – Cylindrical knobs and a bar-grip knob
A selection wheel, which can be seen in Figure 2, is a special kind of rotary control element. It
may have a push function for confirming a selection.

Figure 2 – Selection wheel
4.1.2 Slide controls
A slide control can be classified into the following categories:
• A small moveable part that slides within a groove to adjust a setting between defined start
and end points, usually along one axis (see Figure 3). They may have discrete positions or
continuous settings, or both.
EXAMPLE 1 Steam setting on a steam iron.
• A pictorial indicator or control element depicted in a graphical track that, while being
touched, can be dragged to adjust a setting between defined start and end points. The
indicator/control element can be moved in either a linear direction along one axis, or in a
circular direction. With this type of control, it is also often possible for the user to touch any
point along the graphical track to move the indicator/control element directly to this position
(setting).
– 10 – IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020
EXAMPLE 2 Spin speed adjustment on touch screen on a washing machine.
• A lever is a special slide control.
EXAMPLE 3 Bread carriage lever on a toaster.

Key
W is the width of slide control.
H is the height of slide control.
NOTE The double arrow on the left-hand side shows the direction of operation.
Figure 3 – Slide control
4.1.3 Buttons and switches
It is the action needed to operate a button together with its interface (e.g. size and shape) that
affects its accessibility, regardless of whether the button is activated mechanically and/or
electrically. Buttons and switches can be classified into the following categories according to
the action needed:
• Latching push buttons: push buttons that latch into place, maintaining their physical state
until pressed again, when they will latch back to where they started.
• Returning push buttons: push buttons that move in the direction of the press, then move
back to their original state as the pressure is released. They may have more than one state,
for example two states turn the appliance on/off, or multiple selections for setting
temperatures.
• Countersunk buttons: like returning push buttons, but completely located within indentations
in the product when operated.
• Light touch buttons, for example micro switches: switches covered by a rubber mat or plastic
foil, often grouped on a panel with minimal or no protrusion. They require very low operation
force and the movement for operation is very low (less than 1 mm).
• Touch control elements: buttons that require no pressing action and can be actuated by part
of the hand or finger either brushing against it or lightly tapping the surface. Depending on
technology and software, their sensitivity, size and reaction speed are different. Most touch
control elements have minimal or no protrusion. Often they are grouped on panels.
• Rocker switches: a type of switch that rocks back and forth when one end becomes raised
when the other one is pressed.

IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020 – 11 –
• Toggle switches: a type of switch with a short stem that moves back and forth. They may
have more than two discrete positions.
4.1.4 Control panels
A control panel is part of the appliance used to control all or some of its functions. It may
comprise control elements (e.g. knobs, buttons or slide controls), display screens, indicator
lights, labels and/or markings.
4.2 Classification of doors, lids and drawers
4.2.1 Doors and lids
Doors allow access from the front, sides or back of an appliance, whereas lids allow access
from the top. Lids include covers that may be screwed into place.
Doors and lids are classified into two categories according to their associated functions:
• the main function is related to the intended use;
EXAMPLE 1 Doors of refrigerators, ovens, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, microwave ovens.
EXAMPLE 2 Lids of kettles, food mixers, coffee machines, dishwasher detergent dispensers, top loader
washing machines, chest freezers.
• the supporting and auxiliary function is related to functions of maintenance or cleaning.
EXAMPLE 3 Door for cleaning the washing machine filter.
EXAMPLE 4 Cover for the light in an oven or a refrigerator.
4.2.2 Drawers
Drawers are able to be slid in and out of an appliance and are used to contain or support items.
Drawers in this context include shelves, racks and trays.
EXAMPLE 1 Warming drawers.
EXAMPLE 2 Pull-out oven shelf.
EXAMPLE 3 Drawer for detergent of a washing machine or drawer for water of a steam oven.
EXAMPLE 4 Dishwasher racks.
EXAMPLE 5 Toaster crumb removal tray.
4.2.3 Handgrips and finger grips
Handgrips or finger grips are a part of a door, lid or drawer for grasping and applying force (e.g.
to open the door).
EXAMPLE 1 Handgrip on a refrigerator or an oven door.
EXAMPLE 2 Finger grip on detergent compartment in a washing machine drawer.
4.3 Classification of handles
a) Handle for moving an appliance that can support normal operation for intended use or for
transport purposes.
NOTE Grips to operate doors are described in 4.2.3 and the requirements are stated in 7.3.4.2.
EXAMPLE 1 For intended use: handle on a kettle, coffee pot, vacuum cleaner. Crank handle (e.g. for curling
of a cord).
EXAMPLE 2 For transport purposes: on a fryer, bread maker.
b) Handle that functions as a control element.

– 12 – IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020
EXAMPLE 3 On/Off control on iron handle.
c) Combination of a) and b).
EXAMPLE 4 Iron, blender.
5 Accessibility considerations
5.1 Users’ characteristics
5.1.1 General
Abilities and characteristics of people change during their life and vary substantially among
individuals within the same age group.
Impairments can be temporary or permanent and generally increase with age. Sensory, physical
and cognitive limitations vary from comparatively minor (such as mild seeing impairment) to
significant limitations (such as deafness).
Although some impairments are minor in nature, combinations of impairments can impose
significant limitations, as is often the case when people get older.
NOTE 1 For ergonomic data, see ISO/TR 22411:2008, Clause 9.
NOTE 2 For principles of accessible design, see ISO/TR 22411:2008, Annex A.
5.1.2 Impairments
Details about human abilities and the consequences of impairment are described in
ISO/IEC Guide 71:2014, Clause 7.
In an assessment of accessibility, the following impairments shall be considered:
• Partial sight
Seeing images indistinctly, reduced field of vision, inability to distinguish colours
• Blindness
No useful vision and dependent on tactile and auditory input
• Deafness
Inability to hear sound and dependent on visual and tactile input
• Hearing impairment
Reduced ability to sense the presence of sounds and to discriminate and comprehend sound
• Touch impairment
Reduced ability to sense surfaces and their texture or quality
• Dexterity impairment
Restricted use of hand and arm for handling objects
• Manipulation impairment
Restricted use of hands, arms, feet or legs to reach, carry, move and manipulate objects
• Movement impairment
Restricted range of movement of arms, legs and spine for changing the body position and
moving from one area to another
• Strength impairment
Lack of force that can be exerted for example when pulling, lifting, pressing, gripping,
pinching and twisting
IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020 – 13 –
• Intellect/memory impairment
Lack of knowing, understanding, reasoning and concentration
• Language impairment
Difficulty in comprehending or expressing written or spoken language
5.2 Procedure
The accessibility assessment requires consideration of both objective and subjective aspects
of using an appliance:
• objective aspects can be assessed by engineers and other professionals;
• subjective aspects should be assessed by at least one of the following methods:
– assessors trained to consider the needs of a wide group of users, for example an
ergonomist or people with ergonomics training such as a designer, occupational
therapist, etc.;
– a user trial that comprises users with a wide range of abilities.
NOTE Details can be found in IEC TR 61592 [2] .
6 General conditions for the measurements
6.1 Ambient conditions
Ambient conditions concerning temperature and lighting are defined as follows:
• ambient temperature shall be in accordance with respective product-related standards of
IEC/TC 59;
• ambient lighting shall be 500 lx (in accordance with ISO 8995-1:2002).
All data shall be reported.
6.2 Installation and positioning of the appliance
• The electricity supply shall be in accordance with respective product-related standards of
IEC/TC 59.
• The appliance shall be positioned in accordance with the respective product-related
standards of IEC/TC 59 and with the manufacturer’s instructions. If variable positioning is
possible, the installation shall follow the ergonomic principles.
• All surfaces for installation and positioning of the appliance should be horizontal.
• The appliance is operated for all tests in the delivery status with unchanged default settings.
If the appliance offers mode(s) that assist accessibility, such as audio signals for operating
touch controls or brightness of displays, they are activated and set to enable this mode(s)
in an optimum manner.
• The appliance shall be at ambient temperature at the beginning of each test.
• Where appliances that are operated continuously affect measurements, for example force
required to open the freezer door, these appliances shall be evaluated in running state after
approximately 12 h of operation.
All data shall be reported.
____________
Numbers in square brackets refer to the bibliography.

– 14 – IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020
6.3 Measurements
6.3.1 General
Instruments shall have the minimum accuracies defined in 6.3.2 to 6.3.6.
6.3.2 Linear dimensions
Measurement range: 0 mm to 150 mm Accuracy: ± 0,1mm
Measurement range: > 0,15 m to 3 m Accuracy: ± 1 mm
6.3.3 Angle
Measurement range: 0° to 180° Accuracy: ± 1°
6.3.4 Force
Measurement range: 0 N to 20 N Accuracy: ± 0,1 N
Measurement range: > 20 N to 100 N Accuracy: ± 1 N
6.3.5 Torque
Measurement range: 0 Nm to 1Nm Accuracy: ± 0,01 Nm
Measurement range: > 1 Nm to 6 Nm Accuracy: ± 0,1 Nm
6.3.6 Rounding
If it is required that numbers are rounded, they shall be rounded in accordance with
ISO 80000-1:2009, Clause B.3, Rule B.
7 Test procedure
7.1 Method
When considering the use of household and similar electrical appliances by people with
disabilities, it is useful to analyse the tasks involved in the following five steps
(see IEC TS 62835:2015, 5.2):
1) perceive: to find the product and its parts required to perform the task;
2) recognize: to identify and understand the parts required to perform the task;
3) reach: physical access to the parts required to perform the task;
4) operate: to perform the task;
5) monitor: to receive feedback of the operation.
ISO/TR 22411:2008, Annex A provides guidance on designing accessible products. This is also
background information and useful when testing in accordance with this document.
7.2 Control elements and control panels
7.2.1 General
If the control panel has different types or sizes of control elements, an evaluation shall be
carried out for each type and size.
7.2.2 Perceive
It shall be possible to locate control elements by either visual and tactile, or visual and audible
means.
The audible feedback when a control is touched shall be adjustable in volume.

IEC 63008:2020 © IEC 2020 – 15 –
In standby mode, as a minimum, the on/off control shall be identifiable by either visual and
tactile, or visual and audible means.
If displays are no longer identifiable during operation (e.g. in sleep mode), at least one control
element necessary to reactivate the displays shall be identifiable by either visual and tactile, or
visual and audible means. Control elements shall be grouped in terms of their function or
sequences of operation. If soft keys are used their change of function shall be identifiable by
either visual and tactile, or visual and audible means.
EXAMPLE Smart appliances with additional functionality for exploring dynamic keys are already available.
The number of control elements should be as few as possible but a large number of functions
of a control element should be avoided. Multi-function controls can be confusing for people with
cognitive impairments and difficult to operate for people with visual and dexterity impairments.
7.2.3 Recognize
It shall be possible to recognize all control elements by either visual and tactile, or visual and
audible means. Different shapes and forms can help to distinguish functions and setting
positions.
It shall be possible to locate touch-control elements and light-touch buttons and identify their
functions by touch without inadvertent operation.
NOTE Additional information on use of touch-control elements by visually impaired users is provided in Annex A.
7.2.4 Reach
Control elements shall be easy to access, without having to contort fingers.
Countersunk control elements shall be avoided because they are difficult to access – their
operation requires pressing with fingertips below the surface. No part of the control elements
shall be below the surface of the product (including during operation).
Control elements shall be spaced to avoid interference or inadvertent activation when an
adjacent control element is being operated.
The spacing between the control element on an appliance and another adjacent control element
shall be ≥ 25 mm
– for push buttons (between the centres);
– for light-touch buttons and touch-control elements (between the centres);
– for knobs (between adjacent sides);
– for any other adjacent controls (between adjacent sides).
See also ANEC report [11].
7.2.5 Operate
Controls on an appliance that have detents shall be synchronized with the change of selection
(e.g. 5 steps with the control are 5 changes of selection). The turning speed shall not affect the
change of selection.
Operation of more than one control element at the same time should be avoided for example
pushing two buttons simultaneously. However, it might be helpful in avoiding inadvertent
operation (e.g. touch control, see Annex A). An alternative solution for simultaneous operation
of controls should be provided, for example press one button for a longer time.

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Multiple actions on the same control at the same time, for example pushing and turning it, shall
be avoided. Multiple actions on the same control shall be in sequence, for example first turning
then pushing.
Very small controls shall be avoided as they strain the joints used in bending fingers and hands.
Raised markings (e.g. brand logos) that are unnecessary to the operation of a control shall be
avoided on and around the area of controls. They can mislead users with visual impairments
and they trap debris and make cleaning difficult.
It shall be possible to undo or correct the last single setting without affecting the other settings
unless these are default settings.
Furthermore, it shall be possible to restart the setting procedure from the beginning with default
settings.
The dimensions and acti
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