CEN/TR 17622:2021

Accessibility and usability of the built environment - Conformity assessment

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.

Zugänglichkeit und Nutzbarkeit gebauter Umgebung - Konformitätsbewertung

Accessibilité et utilisabilité de l’environnement bâti - Évaluation de la conformité

Le présent document fournit des critères pour évaluer la conformité de l’environnement bâti
par rapport aux exigences fonctionnelles et aux recommandations décrites dans l’EN 17210 Accessibilité
et utilisabilité de l’environnement bâti – Exigences fonctionnelles, et ce qu’une autodéclaration, une
attestation d’une seconde partie ou une certification d’une tierce partie soit demandée.
Le présent document formule des recommandations concernant la façon et le moment d’étudier
l’accessibilité et l’utilisabilité de l’environnement bâti tout au long du processus de construction,
y compris aux stades de l’étude de faisabilité, de la conception, de la construction, de l’achèvement des
travaux et de l’occupation. Il est également applicable en cas de réhabilitation ou d’adaptation de
bâtiments existants.
Le CEN/TR 17621 Accessibilité et utilisabilité de l’environnement bâti – Critères et spécifications de
performance technique fournit des exemples illustrant de quelle manière ou de quelles manières les
exigences fonctionnelles de l’EN 17210 peuvent être satisfaites. Des réglementations ou des normes
nationales peuvent aussi déterminer les critères et spécifications de performance technique permettant
de satisfaire aux exigences fonctionnelles énoncées dans l’EN 17210.
NOTE 1 La conception pour tous, la conception inclusive et la conception universelle partagent une
philosophie de conception inclusive similaire. La « conception universelle » désigne la conception de produits,
d’environnements, de programmes et de services destinés à être utilisés par tous, dans la mesure du possible, sans
nécessiter d’adaptations ni de conception spécifique. La « conception universelle » n’exclut pas les options ou les
appareils d’assistance pour des groupes particuliers de personnes handicapées lorsque cela est nécessaire.
NOTE 2 Les termes tels que « conception pour tous », « conception universelle », « conception accessible »,
« aménagement à accès facile », « conception inclusive » et « conception transgénérationnelle » sont souvent
utilisés indifféremment, mais dans le même sens.

Dostopnost in uporabnost grajenega okolja - Ugotavljanje skladnosti

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 22-Jun-2021
• ICS: 91.040.01 - Buildings in general
• Technical Committee: CEN/CLC/TC 11 - Accessibility in the built environment
• Drafting Committee: CEN/CLC/TC 11 - Accessibility in the built environment
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 23-Jun-2021
• Completion Date: 23-Jun-2021
• Mandate: M/420 - Standardisation mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI in support of European accessibility requirements for public procurement in the build environement
• Ref Project: SIST-TP CEN/TR 17622:2021 - Accessibility and usability of the built environment - Conformity assessment

Overview

CEN/TR 17622:2021 - "Accessibility and usability of the built environment - Conformity assessment" provides guidance and criteria for assessing whether buildings, urban spaces and their elements meet the functional requirements in EN 17210. It defines how accessibility and usability should be evaluated across all project stages (feasibility, design, construction, completion and post‑occupancy) and for refurbishment or adaptation projects. The Technical Report supports first‑party (self‑declaration), second‑party and third‑party conformity assessment, and is aligned with European public procurement objectives under Mandate M/420.

Key topics

• Functional vs parametric assessment: Assessment is carried out against EN 17210 functional requirements; specific numerical parameters or technical specifications can be taken from CEN/TR 17621 or national standards/regulations.
• Assessment methodology: A three‑step workflow - Selection, Determination, Attestation - structures the conformity assessment and evidence gathering.
• Phased assessment: Guidance for assessing accessibility at each project phase (inception/feasibility, planning/design, construction, completion/post‑occupancy), plus renewal and surveillance of conformity.
• Who assesses: Roles and responsibilities for first‑party, second‑party and third‑party assessment bodies; training and expertise requirements for auditors.
• Tools and techniques: Selection and use of inspection, testing, measurement and audit tools; confidence levels and traceability of evidence.
• Stakeholder involvement: Emphasis on participation of users, especially persons with visible and non‑visible impairments, during assessment.
• Documentation: Use of the Conformity Assessment Template (Annex A) and structured reporting for transparency.

Applications

• Architects and designers: integrate accessibility requirements early in design decisions to reduce retrofit costs.
• Building owners and managers: verify and document accessibility for compliance, maintenance and post‑occupancy evaluation.
• Certification bodies and auditors: adopt consistent procedures for third‑party certification and audits of built environment accessibility.
• Public procurers: apply harmonized conformity criteria in procurement processes to meet EU accessibility objectives.
• Urban planners and refurbishment teams: assess public spaces and retrofit projects against EN 17210 functional requirements.

Related standards

• EN 17210 - Accessibility and usability of the built environment: Functional requirements (primary reference).
• CEN/TR 17621 - Technical performance criteria and specifications (examples of ways to meet EN 17210).
• EN ISO/IEC 17000 - Conformity assessment: vocabulary and general principles (terminology and principles referenced).

Keywords: accessibility, built environment, conformity assessment, EN 17210, CEN/TR 17622:2021, accessibility audit, inclusive design, universal design, public procurement, accessibility certification.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2021
Dostopnost in uporabnost grajenega okolja - Ugotavljanje skladnosti
Accessibility and usability of the built environment - Conformity assessment
Zugänglichkeit und Nutzbarkeit gebauter Umgebung ¿ Konformitätsbewertung
Accessibilité et utilisabilité de l’environnement bâti - Évaluation de la conformité
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TR 17622:2021
ICS:
03.120.20 Certificiranje proizvodov in Product and company
podjetij. Ugotavljanje certification. Conformity
skladnosti assessment
91.040.01 Stavbe na splošno Buildings in general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL REPORT
CEN/TR 17622
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
June 2021
ICS 91.040.01
English version
Accessibility and usability of the built environment -
Conformity assessment
Accessibilité et utilisabilité de l'environnement bâti - Zugänglichkeit und Nutzbarkeit gebauter Umgebung -
Évaluation de la conformité Konformitätsbewertung

This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 23 May 2021. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/CLC/JTC
11.
CEN and CENELEC members are the national standards bodies and national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2021 CEN/CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means Ref. No. CEN/TR 17622:2021 E
reserved worldwide for CEN national Members and for
CENELEC Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Accessibility in European public procurement . 5
5 Methodology: Conformity assessment in the built environment . 6
5.1 Key issues to consider in conformity assessment . 6
5.2 Working process . 6
6 Who assesses? − Different players for different goals . 9
6.1 Different types of conformity assessment . 9
6.2 Different roles in assessment . 10
7 What to assess? − Clauses and functional requirements to be assessed . 10
7.1 Scope and definition . 10
7.2 Functional requirements to consider . 11
7.3 Reference documents . 11
8 When to assess? − Specifics of conformity assessment in different phases . 11
8.1 General . 11
8.2 Different phases of conformity assessment . 11
8.3 Renewal of conformity assessment . 12
8.4 Specificities in each phase . 12
9 How to assess? − Different tools for conformity assessment . 12
9.1 General . 12
9.2 Selection of techniques and tools . 12
9.3 Use of tools . 14
9.4 Different ways to application . 14
10 Assessment conclusion . 15
10.1 Evidence . 15
10.2 Final decision . 15
11 Examples of different applications and scenarios . 15
11.1 General . 15
11.2 Accessibility conformity assessment in different phases . 16
11.3 Accessibility conformity assessment of complex elements . 18
11.4 Accessibility conformity assessment by different parties . 21
Annex A (informative)  Conformity Assessment Template . 22
Bibliography. 23

European foreword
This document (CEN/TR 17622:2021) has been prepared by the Joint Technical Committee CEN-
CENELEC/ JTC 11 “Accessibility in the built environment”, the secretariat of which is held by UNE.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN and CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document has been prepared under Mandate M/420 given to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI by the
European Commission and the European Free Trade Association in support of European accessibility
requirements for public procurement in the built environment.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN and CENELEC
websites.
Introduction
Conformity assessment, also known as compliance assessment, is any activity to determine, directly or
indirectly, that a process, product, or service meets relevant technical standards and fulfils relevant
requirements. Conformity assessment activities may include testing, surveillance, inspection, auditing,
certification, registration, etc.
In the built environment, accessibility conformity assessment refers to the suitability of accessibility in
buildings (complete or part of them), or in urban public spaces or elements or areas thereof. These spaces
may be in the project, construction or post occupancy phase.
This accessibility conformity assessment in the built environment also has a particularity that
characterizes it even more: it is carried out on functional requirements, unlike other assessments that
are made directly on parametric considerations. Thus, the same functional requirement can be assessed
differently in one country and in another, both being valid, depending on the requirements of each
country and how that specific functional requirement is interpreted. The functional requirement is
defined in the text of EN 17210, whereas the specific parameters (taken from CEN/TR 17621 or a national
standard / regulation) are tools to specify the evidence, when a numerical value is necessary.
This document assesses the compliance or conformity with the functional requirements in EN 17210
Accessibility and usability of the built environment – Functional requirements. For this, it will be necessary
to use EN 17210 to introduce the necessary requirements in the tables, according to the specific scope of
the assessment that is going to be carried out.
The technical performance criteria and specifications to be applied to measure the level of conformity
with the functional requirements in EN 17210 are provided in CEN/TR 17621 as examples of a way or
ways in which the functional requirements in EN 17210 could be fulfilled or, alternatively, National
Standards or Regulations may be used.
In accessibility conformity assessment, the training and experience of the auditor (who may rely on
experts if necessary) and the participation of users in all stages of assessment (especially the most
impacted groups, such as persons with visible and non-visible impairments) are essential.
1 Scope
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.
CEN/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 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.
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.
EN 17210, Accessibility and usability of the built environment - Functional requirements
EN ISO/IEC 17000, Conformity assessment - Vocabulary and general principles (ISO/IEC 17000)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 17210 apply. For the specific
terminology of conformity assessment, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO/IEC 17000 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Accessibility in European public procurement
The inclusion of the requirement "accessibility" in European Union public procurement procedures aims
to improve accessibility for a wide range of users including people with disabilities by using a harmonised
European approach in the domain of built environment (Mandate 420), which is relevant for this
Technical Report. Such a European approach will help the development of a single market for the design
and construction of an accessible built environment without affecting national regulations and standards
of European Member States. It will also help all users of the built environment because accessibility
requirements of persons with disabilities and other users with accessibility requirements are very similar
across Europe.
5 Methodology: Conformity assessment in the built environment
5.1 Key issues to consider in conformity assessment
In order to carry out this assessment of compliance, key elements are considered, which will be further
developed in greater detail. These four keys issues are:
1) Who assesses? Depending on different goals, conformity assessment may be performed by different
parties. So, we can have an assessment by a first-party (e.g.: self-assessment of the property) by a
second-party (e.g.: assessment of user) or by a third-party (e.g.: assessment by a certification
company). This is developed next in Clause 6 Who assesses? − Different players for different goals.
2) What to assess? As already indicated, this is an assessment of the accessibility conformance of
Functional Requirements of EN 17210. Therefore, for every built environment select which
functional, general and specific requirements are applicable. This is developed next in Clause 7 What
to assess? − Clauses and functional requirements to be assessed.
3) When to assess? The conformity assessment reflects accessibility at a given time. Accessibility can
vary, improve or worsen in the different stages considered: Inception / feasibility phase, planning /
design phase, construction phase and completion / post occupancy phase. It is important that
assessment is undertaken from the earliest opportunity and at every stage. Decisions taken at the
inception / feasibility phase will influence later stages; while in the planning / design phase the
greatest number of decisions are taken that will ultimately affect the accessibility of the project, and
changes are much easier to make, more efficient and less costly than in any later phase. This is
developed next in Clause 8 When to assess? − Specifics of conformity assessment in different phases.
4) How to assess? It is necessary to specify how the evaluation is carried out, since the use of various
tools determines the degree of error, the precision or confidence level. This is developed next in
Clause 9 How to assess? − Different tools for conformity assessment.
5.2 Working process
5.2.1 General
Evidence that the functional requirements and recommendations are met can be achieved by providing:
The specific evaluation scheme for the accessibility conformity assessment in built environment is
specified in a table that includes all the relevant data of the assessment. See a Conformity Assessment
Template in Annex A.
It is important to clarify that this does not substitute the assessment report, but it can be integrated, being
a relevant part of it. According to the type of assessment (self-assessment, certification, etc.) the report
must have the structure determined by the corresponding standards.
The evaluation process in this methodology is presented in three tasks, illustrated in Figure 1:
st
— 1 Selection
nd
— 2 Determination
rd
— 3 Attestation
Figure 1 — A functional approach to conformity assessment (see EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005)
The contents of the table for each section are explained below, as an explanatory key. There is a
correspondence of the numbers between the descriptions and the table.
5.2.2 Selection: Specification of scope and parameters
In this first step, a preliminary analysis of the assessment environment must be carried out, in order to
identify the different references needed later for the development of the assessment, see Table 1:
1) Type of evaluation: Depending on who makes it, indicating if it is a first-party, second-party or third-
party evaluation.
2) Identification of the element: Building, part of the building, urban space etc. That will serve to know
which EN requirements should be considered.
EXAMPLE 1 “Pedestrian accessible routes in Freedom Square -Wolgan Valley”.
3) Stage of the assessment: Specify in which phase of the existence of that building, element or
environment the assessment is made: Inception / Feasibility, Planning / Design, Construction,
Completion or Post occupancy.
4) Location: Will serve to differentiate this element in the case that there are several ones.
EXAMPLE 2 "North stairs in Freedom Square -Wolgan Valley“.
5) Evaluator: This data complements the first one that referred to the type of evaluation, specifying
more about the person who performs the assessment of compliance.
EXAMPLE 3 "Henry Johnson, senior auditor of ACME Corporation".
6) Date: This information can be especially useful when the same assessment has to be repeated at
different times (such as different stages of construction).
Table 1 — Part of the assessment table indicating the different references of the
first selection task
References
First-party  [2] Element
[1] Who? Second-party
Third-party
I. – Inception/Feasibility  [4] Location
II. - Planning/Design
[3] When?
III. - Construction  [5] Evaluator [6] Date
IV. – Completion / Post
occupancy
5.2.3 Determination: Filling of tables
Once the type of assessment, scope, and time of the evaluation have been defined, proceed to the main
part of the conformity assessment. As in the previous task, the model Table 2 can be used to facilitate the
work. Thus, continuing with the numbering of the descriptions of the table, consider:
1) Requirements: Specify exactly which clauses or subclauses (refer to EN numbering) are to be
analysed, as well as a brief summary of each of the functional requirements.
2) Assessment tools: Indicate how this validation is carried out (type of tool or method): Visual
inspection, measurement test etc.
3) Evidence: Specify the evidence for this item. Evidence can be a note, a parameter etc.
4) Assessment: In this last column summarize its validity (✓), not validity (x), or not applicable in this
specific case (−), or pending verification.
Table 2 — Part of the assessment table with the individual validation of the functional
requirements, the tools used and the evidence
Validation
[7] [8] [9] [10]
What? How? Evidence Assessment
Summary of the Assessment
EN Ref. Notes, parameters etc.
requirement tools
valid
not valid
not
applicable
Pending
verification
5.2.4 Attestation: Assessment conclusion
To finalize the assessment, the evaluator may provide a general assessment of the environment or include
the observations that are considered to be of interest for the recipients of the conformity assessment.
[11] Conclusion: In this last cell of the table (see Table 3), it is possible to include main findings,
observations, notes to consider and, of course, a final decision must also be included on the
adequacy of the accessibility of this environment in the detailed situation and conditions.
Table 3 — Part of the assessment table with the final conclusion and observations
[11] Conclusion
6 Who assesses? − Different players for different goals
6.1 Different types of conformity assessment
6.1.1 General
Depending on different goals, conformity assessment may be performed by different parties, as described
in the following:
6.1.2 First-party assessment (self-assessment of property or internal audits)
This type of audit is carried out by the same organization (self-assessment), usually with the purpose of
reviewing if all the requirements of the standard have been correctly implemented and, in this way,
knowing if the accessibility system is adequate to achieve the proposed goals.
NOTE If an activity is performed by an external body acting on behalf of and controlled by a person or
organization that provides or is the object, the activity is still called a first-party conformity assessment activity (e.g.
internal audits performed by a consultant who is not part of the organization).
6.1.3 Second-party assessment (user assessment or stakeholder audits)
These types of audits are carried out when the organization has an interest in involving a second-party,
in this case it is usually the users. The usual objective of this type of audits is to determine if the existing
accessibility of the assessed environments are adequate to achieve the proposed goals.
6.1.4 Third-party assessment (inspection or certification assessment)
EN ISO/IEC 17000 defines “third-party conformity assessment activity” as “performed by a person or
body that is independent of the person or organization that provides the object and of user interests in
that object”. The third-party conformity assessments are certification and inspection. The key concepts
of a third-party assessment in the standards are “independent” and “impartial”. Relevant standards are
EN ISO/IEC 17065 specifying general requirements for bodies operating product certification systems
and EN ISO/IEC 17020 specifying general criteria for bodies performing inspection. The difference
between inspection and certification is explained below. Third-party assessment is commonly used by a
manufacturer or service supplier to provide maximum confidence in its products/processes.
6.2 Different roles in assessment
During the process of assessing the conformity of accessibility, different agents play different roles.
a) Client: To define and specify which are the objectives to achieve with the assessment (an internal
evaluation, a user's opinion, or a certification from an external entity). Depending on the needs to
achieve these objectives, one type or another of accessibility conformity assessment will be chosen
(first-party, second-party or third-party).
b) Auditor: To assess whether the functional requirements for accessibility have been achieved. For a
first-party assessment, the auditor should have sufficient knowledge to complete a checklist of
functional requirements and technical performance criteria; for a second-party assessment the
auditor assesses the accessibility experienced from an user’s perspective; for a third-party
assessment the auditor may be required to hold a professional qualification and / or have completed
accredited training in accessibility.
c) Accessibility advisor: To help the client by providing the necessary accessibility expertise to fulfil
the functional requirements for accessibility. In a first-party audit, this can be the person to help
design the accessibility self-assessment: what, how, and when to audit. In a second-party assessment
the advisor can help set the parameters and design the audit checklist. In a third-party assessment
the advisor can assist in recruitment and briefing of an external auditor. Furthermore, after
accessibility has been assessed, this person can advise the client how to improve conformity with
accessibility requirements (Design of the Corrective Actions Plan, advice on purchases, study of
technical solutions, etc.). This role may be on a consultancy basis.
d) Validator: To provide a real assessment of the use of an element or environment. In the tasks of
validating accessibility, the participation of the most impacted user groups is necessary, especially
those with disabilities. The more heterogeneous and plural the validation task is (persons with
physical, perceptive, cognitive impairments, mental health experience, older people, users with
temporary or specific functional difficulties etc.) the greater consistency the final assessment will
have. It is also useful for the validator to participate in any conformity assessment regardless of the
stage (project, construction, or building already in use) and not only in the audits of completed
environments already in use. In a third-party assessment, however, the validator is a different player
who provides information so that the auditor can carry out the conformity assessment task from an
independent perspective.
NOTE Each country can define and specify the appropriate training and accreditation conditions. There are
some countries who have already set up a national register of access consultants and auditors as e.g. in UK (see
www.nrac.org.uk) or have developed certified training courses for accessibility experts/advisors.
7 What to assess? − Clauses and functional requirements to be assessed
7.1 Scope and definition
Although it may seem obvious, firstly it must be clear, what is being assessed to conform with the
functional requirements and recommendations in EN 17210, Accessibility and usability of the built
environment – Functional requirements.
As in other valuation schemes, sometimes the scope is so broad that it is necessary to carry out a sampling,
being careful to select those elements in greater use, or otherwise justify the reason for their choice (e.g.
if there are several stairs in the building, and it is decided to take as sample only one, the main or most
used will be analysed).
In any case, the sample must consider the accessibility of the entire environment in accordance with the
accessibility chain and thus avoid audited accessibility islands in a non-accessible environment.
7.2 Functional requirements to consider
The first column summarizes each of the func
...