ISO/IEC TR 20007:2014 provides a technical reference for understanding the definitions and relationships between symbols, icons, animated icons, pictograms, characters, and glyphs. For teams working with human-machine interfaces, product labeling, software displays, or documentation, it helps establish a common vocabulary for technical review and documented evaluation. As a supporting reference within the ISO/IEC TR 20007 family, it is useful when comparing graphical communication elements for consistency, interoperability, and quality workflows across design, testing, and compliance preparation.

ISO/IEC TR 20007:2014 standard overview

The scope of ISO/IEC TR 20007:2014 is centered on clarifying terminology and the relationships among visual symbols used in information technology environments. It is particularly relevant where engineering documentation, interface specification, or technical validation depends on precise distinctions between icon types and character-based representations. The document can support procurement review, product evaluation, and technical assessment by reducing ambiguity in requirements and helping organizations align internal terminology with a structured compliance reference.

Applications of ISO/IEC TR 20007:2014

ISO/IEC TR 20007:2014 may be applied in software user interfaces, control panels, electronic documentation, training materials, and localization or content design workflows. It can also be useful in laboratory evaluation or verification activities when assessing how graphical elements are specified, labeled, or interpreted across systems. Organizations involved in engineering documentation, technical communication, or operational consistency may use it to improve clarity in requirements and support more reliable cross-team collaboration during technical review.

Why ISO/IEC TR 20007:2014 matters

This technical report matters because consistent terminology reduces interpretation errors in design, testing, and conformity assessment preparation. When symbols and glyphs are defined clearly, teams are better able to manage risk, support interoperability, and maintain traceable engineering documentation. ISO/IEC TR 20007:2014 can also help quality assurance teams and procurement groups compare deliverables more objectively, especially when visual communication elements are part of a product specification, technical validation process, or regulatory preparation workflow.

• Clarifies the terminology used for symbols, icons, animated icons, pictograms, characters, and glyphs
• Supports consistent specification writing for user interfaces and technical documentation
• Helps reduce ambiguity during technical review, testing workflows, and conformity assessment
• Useful as a supporting compliance reference in engineering and procurement evaluations