TS EN IEC/IEEE 82079-1

TS EN IEC/IEEE 82079-1 addresses the principles and general requirements for preparing instructions for use and other user information for products. It provides a general framework for deciding what kind of structure and content is appropriate when information is intended to support safe, efficient, and effective use. In general technical terms, information for use is broader than a simple instruction leaflet: it can include assembly, operation, maintenance, cleaning, troubleshooting, and warnings that help shape the interaction between the user and the product.

Why information for use is a distinct technical discipline

The focus of this standard is to give a common basis for the purpose and organisation of information prepared for different product types. As products become more complex, listing specifications alone is not enough; the information must help users make the right decisions and operate the product as intended. Clear language, task-oriented structure, consistency, and suitability for the intended audience are therefore central elements in good instruction design.

Product and information contexts covered by the standard

• Industrial products such as machinery, components, devices, and equipment
• Consumer products such as household appliances, audio-visual devices, communication devices, and do-it-yourself products
• Medical devices, equipment, and systems
• Complex systems of systems such as industrial plants, refineries, production sites, and data centres
• Means of transport, software products, and technical services

This scope is broad enough to include not only physical products but also software and information for operating systems. As a result, product information may be delivered as a printed manual, online help, on-screen guidance, or another format, while still serving the same underlying purpose: giving the user accurate, understandable, and fit-for-purpose information. This is especially important for complex, multi-user, or maintenance-intensive products across their lifecycle.

More generally, standards in this area help manufacturers and information developers connect terminology, structure, task description, and user needs in a consistent way. TS EN IEC/IEEE 82079-1 provides a shared reference framework so that instructions for use can be prepared in a more organised and comparable manner across product groups.