TS EN 81714-2

TS EN 81714-2 is a standard focused on how graphical symbols used in product technical documentation are represented in a computer-sensible form. Based on the title and scope information, it addresses the organisation of symbols for digital handling, their use in a reference library, and the requirements for interchange between systems. This is important wherever technical drawings, product manuals, and documentation platforms need consistent symbol management.

Computer-readable organisation of graphical symbols

In general technical terms, graphical symbols are visual elements that communicate function, status, connection, or other meaning without relying on long text. The topic of this standard is not only what a symbol looks like, but how it is defined in a digital environment. That supports more consistent reuse across software tools, databases, and technical publishing systems. A reference library approach also helps organisations keep symbols in a controlled and manageable collection.

Why interchange matters in technical documentation

The standard is concerned with preserving the meaning and structural integrity of symbols when they are transferred between systems. In technical documentation, this kind of interoperability reduces redraw effort, supports a common visual language across teams, and makes documentation easier to maintain. TS EN 81714-2 is based on EN 81714-2:1998 and this TSE record is withdrawn; even so, the subject remains a core technical area for graphical symbol management and data exchange in product documentation.