M/420 - Built environement
Standardisation mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI in support of European accessibility requirements for public procurement in the build environement
Mandate M/420 is a standardisation request issued by the European Commission to the European standardisation organisations CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI. It aims to support European accessibility requirements specifically for public procurement in the built environment. The mandate focuses on developing and harmonising standards that ensure accessibility in public buildings and infrastructure, promoting inclusive design and compliance with EU accessibility policies. The decision regarding this mandate was documented in resolution CEN/BT 20/2008, addressing the approval or disapproval of the standardisation request.
Purpose
This mandate aims to support European accessibility requirements specifically for public procurement in the built environment. It seeks to ensure that accessibility criteria are standardized to facilitate inclusive access in publicly procured construction and infrastructure projects.
Standardisation request
The European Commission requests CEN (European Committee for Standardization), CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization), and ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) to develop and harmonize standards related to accessibility in the built environment. These standards should address public procurement needs and align with European accessibility policies and legislation.
Expected deliverables
- Standards and specifications that define accessibility requirements applicable to buildings and related infrastructure in the context of public procurement.
- Harmonized guidelines to be implemented by public authorities to ensure accessible built environments.
- Facilitation of common technical language and criteria that support compliance with EU accessibility directives in construction projects.
Context
This mandate, referenced as M/420, was considered under resolution CEN/BT 20/2008. It forms part of the EU’s broader efforts to promote equal access and non-discrimination, especially in public sector activities. Standardizing accessibility measures contributes to the removal of barriers for people with disabilities and supports the enforcement of public procurement rules across EU Member States.
This mandate covers the standardisation work related to European accessibility requirements for public procurement in the built environment. It focuses on ensuring accessibility standards for buildings and related infrastructure to support inclusive access in public constructions and spaces.
General Information
This document has been developed to support EN 17210, “Accessibility and usability of the built environment – Functional requirements”. This document provides and exemplifies technical performance criteria and specifications for an accessible and usable built environment, following the Design for All/Universal design principles. The document specifies what is necessary to align with these principles which will facilitate equitable and safe use for a wide range of users.
The technical performance criteria and specifications are applicable across the full spectrum of the built environment and can be used as criteria for awarding public contracts (in support of the Public Procurement Directives).
These technical performance criteria and specifications are specifically applicable to the design, construction, refurbishment or adaptation, and maintenance of public or public-use environments including external areas.
Alternatively, national standards and regulations may determine the technical performance criteria and specifications to fulfil the functional requirements of EN 17210.
NOTE 1 Design for All and Universal Design share a similar inclusive design philosophy. Universal Design means the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Universal Design shall not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed (UN CRPD).
NOTE 2 Terms such as "design for all", "universal design", "accessible design", "barrier-free design", "inclusive design" and "transgenerational design" are often used interchangeably with the same meaning.
- Technical report234 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document provides criteria to assess conformity of the built environment with the functional requirements and recommendations described in EN 17210 Accessibility and usability of the built environment – Functional requirements, regardless of whether self-declaration, second-party attestation or third-party certification is requested.
This document provides guidance on how and when accessibility and usability of the built environment have to be considered throughout all stages of the building process, including feasibility, design, construction, completion and post occupancy. It is also applicable for refurbishment or adaptation of existing buildings.
FprCEN/TR 17621 Accessibility and usability of the built environment - Technical performance criteria and specifications, provides examples of a way or ways in which the functional requirements in EN 17210 could be fulfilled. Alternatively, National Standards or Regulations can determine the technical performance criteria and specifications to fulfil the functional requirements of/in EN 17210.
NOTE 1 Design for All, Inclusive Design and Universal Design share a similar inclusive design philosophy. “Universal Design” means the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. “Universal Design” does not exclude assistive options or devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed.
NOTE 2 Terms such as "design for all", “inclusive Design”, "universal design", "accessible design", "barrier-free design", "inclusive design" and "transgenerational design" are often used interchangeably with the same meaning.
- Technical report23 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document provides criteria to assess conformity of the built environment with the functional requirements and recommendations described in EN 17210 Accessibility and usability of the built environment – Functional requirements, regardless of whether self-declaration, second-party attestation or third-party certification is requested.
This document provides guidance on how and when accessibility and usability of the built environment have to be considered throughout all stages of the building process, including feasibility, design, construction, completion and post occupancy. It is also applicable for refurbishment or adaptation of existing buildings.
FprCEN/TR 17621 Accessibility and usability of the built environment - Technical performance criteria and specifications, provides examples of a way or ways in which the functional requirements in EN 17210 could be fulfilled. Alternatively, National Standards or Regulations can determine the technical performance criteria and specifications to fulfil the functional requirements of/in EN 17210.
NOTE 1 Design for All, Inclusive Design and Universal Design share a similar inclusive design philosophy. “Universal Design” means the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. “Universal Design” does not exclude assistive options or devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed.
NOTE 2 Terms such as "design for all", “inclusive Design”, "universal design", "accessible design", "barrier-free design", "inclusive design" and "transgenerational design" are often used interchangeably with the same meaning.
- Technical report23 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document has been developed to support EN 17210, “Accessibility and usability of the built environment – Functional requirements”. This document provides and exemplifies technical performance criteria and specifications for an accessible and usable built environment, following the Design for All/Universal design principles. The document specifies what is necessary to align with these principles which will facilitate equitable and safe use for a wide range of users.
The technical performance criteria and specifications are applicable across the full spectrum of the built environment and can be used as criteria for awarding public contracts (in support of the Public Procurement Directives).
These technical performance criteria and specifications are specifically applicable to the design, construction, refurbishment or adaptation, and maintenance of public or public-use environments including external areas.
Alternatively, national standards and regulations may determine the technical performance criteria and specifications to fulfil the functional requirements of EN 17210.
NOTE 1 Design for All and Universal Design share a similar inclusive design philosophy. Universal Design means the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Universal Design shall not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed (UN CRPD).
NOTE 2 Terms such as "design for all", "universal design", "accessible design", "barrier-free design", "inclusive design" and "transgenerational design" are often used interchangeably with the same meaning.
- Technical report234 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document describes basic, minimum functional requirements and recommendations for an accessible and usable built environment, following "Design for All"/"Universal Design" principles which will facilitate equitable and safe use for a wide range of users, including persons with disabilities.
The requirements and recommendations given in this document are applicable across the full spectrum of the built environment.
These functional accessibility and usability requirements and recommendations are relevant to the design, construction, refurbishment or adaptation, and maintenance of built environments including outdoor pedestrian and urban areas.
NOTE 1 ‘Design for All’ and ‘Universal Design’ share a similar inclusive design philosophy. "Universal Design" means the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. "Universal Design" does not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed.
NOTE 2 Terms such as "design for all", "universal design", "accessible design", "barrier-free design", "inclusive design" and "transgenerational design" are often used interchangeably with the same meaning.
NOTE 3 This document does not cover management and maintenance issues, but provides basic information in Annex B.
NOTE 4 All figures are provided as examples. They are described by their title and key and do not provide additional information. Some figures show negative examples to be avoided; these are identified by the insertion of a red cross on them. A list of all the figures included is this document is given in the informative Annex C.
NOTE 5 In the case of refurbishment or adaptations of existing buildings or infrastructures, a specific study including feasibility determines the extent to which the functional requirements and recommendations can be met.
- Standard295 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document describes basic, minimum functional requirements and recommendations for an accessible and usable built environment, following "Design for All"/"Universal Design" principles which will facilitate equitable and safe use for a wide range of users, including persons with disabilities.
The requirements and recommendations given in this document are applicable across the full spectrum of the built environment.
These functional accessibility and usability requirements and recommendations are relevant to the design, construction, refurbishment or adaptation, and maintenance of built environments including outdoor pedestrian and urban areas.
NOTE 1 ‘Design for All’ and ‘Universal Design’ share a similar inclusive design philosophy. "Universal Design" means the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. "Universal Design" does not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed.
NOTE 2 Terms such as "design for all", "universal design", "accessible design", "barrier-free design", "inclusive design" and "transgenerational design" are often used interchangeably with the same meaning.
NOTE 3 This document does not cover management and maintenance issues, but provides basic information in Annex B.
NOTE 4 All figures are provided as examples. They are described by their title and key and do not provide additional information. Some figures show negative examples to be avoided; these are identified by the insertion of a red cross on them. A list of all the figures included is this document is given in the informative Annex C.
NOTE 5 In the case of refurbishment or adaptations of existing buildings or infrastructures, a specific study including feasibility determines the extent to which the functional requirements and recommendations can be met.
- Standard295 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
Frequently Asked Questions
A European Standardization Mandate is a formal request from the European Commission to the European Standardization Organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) to develop European standards (ENs) in support of EU legislation and policies. Mandates are issued under Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and help ensure that products and services meet the essential requirements set out in EU directives and regulations.
M/420 is a European Standardization Mandate titled "Standardisation mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI in support of European accessibility requirements for public procurement in the build environement". Standardisation mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI in support of European accessibility requirements for public procurement in the build environement There are 6 standards developed under this mandate.
Standards developed in response to a mandate and cited in the Official Journal of the European Union become "harmonized standards". Products manufactured in compliance with harmonized standards benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation, facilitating CE marking and market access across the European Economic Area.