SIST EN 82079-1:2012

Preparation of instructions for use - Structuring, content and presentation - Part 1: General principles and detailed requirements (IEC 82079-1:2012)

This part of IEC 82079 provides general principles and detailed requirements for the design and formulation of all types of instructions for use that will be necessary or helpful for users of products of all kinds, ranging from a tin of paint to large or highly complex products, such as large industrial machinery, turnkey based plants or buildings. NOTE The term "product" as defined in 3.29 relates to consumer, non-consumer, electrical, electronic, electromechanical, mechanical and other products. This part is intended for all parties involved in the preparation of instructions for use, for example:
- Suppliers, technical writers, technical illustrators, software designers, translators or other people engaged in the work of conceiving and drafting such instructions for use;
This part of IEC 82079 does not specify a fixed amount of documentation that has to be delivered with a product. This is obviously not possible because this part is applicable to all kinds of products. The amount of documentation required, will depend on the nature of the product, its complexity and the skills of the intended users.

Erstellen von Gebrauchsanleitungen - Gliederung, Inhalt und Darstellung - Teil 1: Allgemeine Grundsätze und ausführliche Anforderungen (IEC 82079-1:2012)

Etablissement des instructions d'utilisation - Structure, contenu et présentation - Partie 1: Principes généraux et exigences détaillées (CEI 82079-1:2012)

La CEI 82079-1:2012 fournit les principes généraux et les exigences détaillées pour la conception et la formulation de tous les types d'instructions d'utilisation, qui seront nécessaires ou utiles pour les utilisateurs de produits de toutes sortes, du pot de peinture aux produits de grande taille ou très complexes, comme les grandes machines industrielles, les usines ou les bâtiments clés en main. Cette première édition annule et remplace la CEI 62079 publiée en 2001. Elle constitue une révision technique.

Priprava navodil za uporabo - Zgradba, vsebina in predstavitev - 1. del: Splošna načela in podrobne zahteve (IEC 82079-1:2012)

Ta del standarda IEC 82079 zagotavlja splošna načela in podrobne zahteve glede načrta in sestave vseh vrst navodil za uporabo, ki bodo nujna oziroma v pomoč uporabnikom izdelkov vseh vrst, od barve do obsežnih oziroma zelo kompleksnih izdelkov, kot so veliki stroji, obrati na ključ ali zgradbe. OPOMBA: izraz "izdelek", kot je opredeljen v točki 3.29, se nanaša na potrošniške, nepotrošniške, električne, elektronske, elektromehanske, mehanske in druge izdelke. Ta del je namenjen vsem stranem, vključenim v pripravo navodil za uporabo, na primer:
– dobaviteljem, tehničnim piscem, tehničnim ilustratorjem, oblikovalcem programske opreme, prevajalcem ali drugim osebam, vključenim v delo na področju zasnove in priprave takšnih navodil za uporabo.
Ta del standarda IEC 82079 ne določa fiksne količine dokumentacije, ki mora biti priložena izdelku. To seveda ni mogoče, ker ta del velja za vse vrste izdelkov. Zahtevana količina dokumentacije je odvisna od lastnosti izdelka, njegove kompleksnosti ter spretnosti in znanj uporabnikov, ki jim je izdelek namenjen.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 25-Oct-2012
• Withdrawal Date: 03-Jan-2023
• ICS: 01.110 - Technical product documentation
• ICS: 29.020 - Electrical engineering in general
• Technical Committee: EDO - Documentation and graphical symbols
• Current Stage: 9900 - Withdrawal (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 04-Jan-2023
• Due Date: 27-Jan-2023
• Completion Date: 04-Jan-2023
• Ref Project: EN 82079-1:2012 - Preparation of instructions for use - Structuring, content and presentation - Part 1: General principles and detailed requirements

Relations

• Replaced By: SIST EN IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2020 - Preparation of information for use (instructions for use) of products - Part 1: Principles and general requirements (IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2019)
• Effective Date: 07-Apr-2020
• Replaces: SIST EN 62079:2002 - Preparation of instructions - Structuring, content and presentation
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2012
• Replaces: SIST EN 62079:2002 - Preparation of instructions - Structuring, content and presentation
• Effective Date: 29-Jan-2023
• Replaces: SIST EN 62079:2002 - Preparation of instructions - Structuring, content and presentation
• Effective Date: 07-Jun-2022

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 82079-1:2012
01-december-2012
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 62079:2002
3ULSUDYDQDYRGLO]DXSRUDER=JUDGEDYVHELQDLQSUHGVWDYLWHYGHO6SORãQD
QDþHODLQSRGUREQH]DKWHYH,(&
Preparation of instructions for use - Structuring, content and presentation - Part 1:
General principles and detailed requirements (IEC 82079-1:2012)
Erstellen von Gebrauchsanleitungen - Gliederung, Inhalt und Darstellung - Teil 1:
Allgemeine Grundsätze und ausführliche Anforderungen (IEC 82079-1:2012)
Etablissement des instructions d'utilisation - Structure, contenu et présentation - Partie 1:
Principes généraux et exigences détaillées (CEI 82079-1:2012)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 82079-1:2012
ICS:
01.110 7HKQLþQDGRNXPHQWDFLMD]D Technical product
L]GHONH documentation
29.020 Elektrotehnika na splošno Electrical engineering in
general
SIST EN 82079-1:2012 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN 82079-1:2012

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SIST EN 82079-1:2012

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 82079-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
September 2012
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

ICS 01.110; 29.020 Supersedes EN 62079:2001


English version


Preparation of instructions for use -
Structuring, content and presentation -
Part 1: General principles and detailed requirements
(IEC 82079-1:2012)


Etablissement des instructions d'utilisation Erstellen von Gebrauchsanleitungen -
- Gliederung, Inhalt und Darstellung -
Structure, contenu et présentation - Teil 1: Allgemeine Grundsätze und
Partie 1: Principes généraux et exigences ausführliche Anforderungen
détaillées (IEC 82079-1:2012)
(CEI 82079-1:2012)





This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2012-09-12. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified
to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels


© 2012 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 82079-1:2012 E

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SIST EN 82079-1:2012
EN 82079-1:2012 - 2 -
Foreword
The text of document 3/1093/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 82079-1, prepared by IEC/TC 3 "Information
structures, documentation and graphical symbols" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and
approved by CENELEC as EN 82079-1:2012.

The following dates are fixed:
(dop) 2013-06-12
• latest date by which the document has
to be implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
(dow) 2015-09-12
• latest date by which the national
standards conflicting with the
document have to be withdrawn

This document supersedes EN 62079:2001.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC [and/or CEN] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.

Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 82079-1:2012 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards indicated:
IEC 60073 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60073.
IEC 60848 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60848.
IEC 61082-1:2006 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 61082-1:2006 (not modified).
IEC 61310-1 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 61310-1.
IEC 61355-1:2008 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 61355-1:2008 (not modified).
IEC 80416-1:2008 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 80416-1:2009 (not modified).
IEC 81346-1 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 81346-1.
ISO 9000:2005 NOTE  Harmonized as EN ISO 9000:2005 (not modified).
ISO 10628 NOTE  Harmonized as EN ISO 10628.
ISO 15006 NOTE  Harmonized as EN ISO 15006.

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SIST EN 82079-1:2012
- 3 - EN 82079-1:2012
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

NOTE  When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant EN/HD
applies.

Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60204-1 (mod) 2005 Safety of machinery - Electrical equipment of EN 60204-1 2006
machines - + corr. February 2010
Part 1: General requirements


IEC 60417 Data Graphical symbols for use on equipment - -
base


IEC 60529 - Degrees of protection provided by enclosures - -
(IP Code)


IEC 60617 Data Graphical symbols for diagrams - -
base


IEC 62507-1 - Identification systems enabling unambiguous EN 62507-1 -
information interchange - Requirements -
Part 1: Principles and methods


IEC/PAS 62569-1 2009 Generic specification of information on - -
products -
Part 1: Principles and methods


ISO/IEC Guide 51 1999 Safety aspects - Guidelines for their inclusion - -
in standards


ISO/IEC Guide 71 2001 Guidelines for standards developers to - -
address the needs of older persons and
persons with disabilities


ISO 3864 Series Graphical symbols - Safety colours and safety - -
signs


ISO 3864-2 - Graphical symbols - Safety colours and safety - -
signs -
Part 2: Design principles for product safety
labels


ISO 7000 - Graphical symbols for use on equipment - - -
Index and synopsis


ISO 7010 - Graphical symbols - Safety colours and safety EN ISO 7010 -
signs - Registered safety signs


ISO 9241 Series Ergonomic requirements for office work with EN ISO 9241 Series
visual display terminals (VDTs)


ISO 11683 - Packaging - Tactile warnings of danger - EN ISO 11683 -
Requirements


ISO 12100 - Safety of machinery - General principles for EN ISO 12100 -
design - Risk assessment and risk reduction


ISO 14617 Series Graphical symbols for diagrams - -

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SIST EN 82079-1:2012

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SIST EN 82079-1:2012




IEC 82079-1


Edition 1.0 2012-08




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




NORME



INTERNATIONALE
colour

inside










Preparation of instructions for use – Structuring, content and presentation –

Part 1: General principles and detailed requirements




Établissement des instructions d’utilisation – Structure, contenu

et présentation –

Partie 1: Principes généraux et exigences détaillées















INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE

PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE

CODE PRIX XB


ICS 01.110: 29.020 ISBN 978-2-83220-096-4



Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

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SIST EN 82079-1:2012
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CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 6
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 Principles . 14
4.1 Provision of instructions for use . 14
4.1.1 General . 14
4.1.2 Instructions for use are part of the product . 14
4.1.3 Consistency of information . 14
4.1.4 Product warranty . 14
4.1.5 Information provided after sale of products . 14
4.1.6 Security aspects . 15
4.2 Quality of communication . 15
4.3 Minimizing risks . 15
4.4 Target group(s) . 15
4.5 Special precautions . 16
4.6 Short-life products . 16
4.7 Considerations to the nature of instructions for use . 16
4.7.1 General . 16
4.7.2 Location . 16
4.7.3 Means of communication and media . 16
4.7.4 Durability . 17
4.7.5 Availability . 17
4.7.6 Electronic guidance systems . 17
4.7.7 User training . 18
4.8 Creating instructions for use . 18
4.8.1 Conformity with the product . 18
4.8.2 Consideration of needs of target groups . 19
4.8.3 Languages. 20
5 Content of instructions for use . 21
5.1 General . 21
5.2 Identification of instructions for use . 21
5.3 Identification of the product . 21
5.4 Modification of products . 22
5.5 Safety-related information . 22
5.5.1 General . 22
5.5.2 Safety notes . 23
5.5.3 Warning messages . 23
5.5.4 Safety-related information for industrial plants . 24
5.5.5 Safety related information in quick-start guides . 24
5.6 Product compliance . 24
5.7 Importance of retaining instructions for use . 24
5.8 Preparing products for use . 24
5.8.1 Transportation and storage . 24
5.8.2 Installation . 24

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SIST EN 82079-1:2012
82079-1 © IEC:2012 – 3 –
5.8.3 Commissioning . 25
5.9 Operation of products . 25
5.9.1 General . 25
5.9.2 Normal operation . 25
5.9.3 Additional information for automatic and remotely controlled products . 25
5.9.4 Indications of faults and warning device signals . 26
5.9.5 Exceptional/emergency situations . 26
5.9.6 Troubleshooting and repair by non-skilled persons . 26
5.9.7 Troubleshooting and repair by skilled persons . 26
5.10 Maintenance of the product . 27
5.10.1 General . 27
5.10.2 Product maintenance by non-skilled persons . 27
5.10.3 Product maintenance by skilled persons . 27
5.10.4 Planned maintenance of industrial plants . 28
5.11 Supplied accessories, consumables and spare parts . 28
5.11.1 Accessories . 28
5.11.2 Consumables. 28
5.11.3 Spare/replacement parts . 28
5.12 Information on special tools, equipment and materials . 29
5.13 Information on repair of products and replacement of parts . 29
5.13.1 Information on repair of products and replacement of parts by non-
skilled persons . 29
5.13.2 Information on repair of products and replacement of parts by skilled
persons . 29
5.14 Information required when the product is no longer needed . 29
5.14.1 General . 29
5.14.2 Disassembly . 29
5.14.3 Recycling . 30
5.14.4 Disposal . 30
5.15 Structure of instruction for use . 30
5.15.1 General . 30
5.15.2 Page numbering . 30
5.15.3 Table of contents . 30
5.15.4 Index . 30
5.15.5 Technical terms, acronyms and abbreviations. 30
5.15.6 Graphical and tactile symbols and tactile dots . 31
5.15.7 Presentational conventions . 31
5.15.8 User controls and indicators . 31
6 Presentation of instructions for use . 31
6.1 Comprehensibility . 31
6.1.1 Recognized communication principles . 31
6.1.2 Style guide . 31
6.1.3 Structure . 32
6.1.4 Consistent terminology . 32
6.1.5 Simple and brief . 32
6.1.6 One sentence, one command . 32
6.1.7 Rules for simple wording . 32
6.1.8 Standardized safety signs and graphical symbols . 33
6.1.9 Ergonomic principles . 33

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SIST EN 82079-1:2012
– 4 – 82079-1 © IEC:2012
6.1.10 Keeping the attention of the readers . 33
6.1.11 Proof reading . 33
6.2 Legibility . 34
6.2.1 Text font sizes and graphical symbol heights . 34
6.2.2 Maximum brightness contrast . 36
6.2.3 Legibility standards. 36
6.2.4 Layout . 36
6.2.5 Instructions for use on surfaces of products or packaging . 37
6.3 Illustrations and supporting text . 37
6.3.1 Quality . 37
6.3.2 Following a sequence of operations . 37
6.3.3 Illustration with captions . 37
6.3.4 One illustration, one item of information. 38
6.4 Graphical symbols, including safety signs . 38
6.4.1 Graphical symbols for use on equipment, including safety signs . 38
6.4.2 Explanation of graphical symbols . 38
6.4.3 Graphical symbols for diagrams . 38
6.4.4 Minimum sizes of graphical symbols . 38
6.5 Use of tables . 38
6.6 Use of appropriate document types . 38
6.7 Use of electronic media . 39
6.7.1 General . 39
6.7.2 Didactic requirements . 39
6.7.3 Requirements for downloadable instructions for use . 40
6.7.4 Requirements for user interaction . 40
6.8 Making safety-related information prominent and conspicuous . 41
6.8.1 Making text conspicuous . 41
6.8.2 Making illustrations conspicuous . 41
6.8.3 Design and placement of warning messages . 41
6.8.4 Permanence and visibility . 41
6.8.5 Making warning messages prominent . 41
6.8.6 Signal words . 41
6.9 Colours . 42
6.9.1 Consistency . 42
6.9.2 Colour perception considerations . 42
6.9.3 Photocopying/printing considerations. 42
7 Evaluation of conformity to this part of the 82079 series . 42
7.1 Claiming conformity to this part of the 82079 series. 42
7.2 Documentary evidence of evaluation . 43
Annex A (normative) Evaluation of instructions for use . 44
Annex B (informative) Checklist for conformity and comments . 45
Annex C (informative) Checklist for communication effectiveness . 48
Annex D (informative) Planning the preparation of instructions for use . 51
Annex E (informative) Empirical methods supporting the preparation of instructions for use 55
Bibliography . 58

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SIST EN 82079-1:2012
82079-1 © IEC:2012 – 5 –
Table 1 – Writing style examples . 33
Table 2 – Minimum recommended text font sizes and graphical symbol heights . 35

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SIST EN 82079-1:2012
– 6 – 82079-1 © IEC:2012
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

PREPARATION OF INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE –
STRUCTURING, CONTENT AND PRESENTATION –

Part 1: General principles and detailed requirements


FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 82079-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 3:
Information structures, documentation and graphical symbols, in liaison with ISO technical
committee 10: Technical product documentation, and with the ISO Committee on consumer
policy (COPOLCO).
This first edition cancels and replaces IEC 62079 published in 2001.It constitutes a technical
revision.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
3/1093/FDIS 3/1103/RVD

Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.

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SIST EN 82079-1:2012
82079-1 © IEC:2012 – 7 –
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC Web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.

IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.

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SIST EN 82079-1:2012
– 8 – 82079-1 © IEC:2012
PREPARATION OF INST
...