What is BS EN IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2020 about?
This international standard sets out how to prepare technical and instruction manuals and other product, equipment or software documentation. BS EN IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2020 is a comprehensive revision of the original 2012 standard.
Who is BS EN IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2020 for?
It’s intended for universal application across all industries and markets. Users will be:
- Anyone tasked with compiling or supplying user instructions, technical manuals or documentation for products, equipment or software
- Lawyers involved in product liability cases where injury claims involve potentially inadequate user instructions or warnings
Why should you use BS EN IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2020?
It is a comprehensive and generic guide to the preparation of technical manuals and documentation packages for any type of product, equipment or software.
It is the definitive international standard for user documentation, with universal application across all products and businesses, and for technical or non-technical end-users.
BS EN IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2020 has also been comprehensively revised to improve its clarity and ease of use.
What’s new about BS EN IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2020?
This second edition cancels and replaces the first, 2012 edition. It takes into account new media and techniques (web-based systems) that have now become available. The main changes compared with the previous edition are:
a) The document’s structure has been rearranged making it easier to use and to find information. Where possible, the language has been simplified.
b) “Information for use” is introduced as a generic term. “Instructions for use” is a synonym for “information for use”. “Step-by-step instructions” is used as a subset of information for use.
c) The principles clause 5 is revised and focuses on the purpose of information for use, the quality of information and the process for management of information
d) The process for preparation of information for use is integrated in the normative part and comprehensively covered
e) Empirical methods for the evaluation of information for use are described in the normative part
f) The professional competencies needed for the preparation of information for use are covered more comprehensively
g) Some aspects have been added to general requirements for information for use for complex systems of systems
h) Consideration is given to instructions for self-assembly products
i) An informative annex providing guidance for conformity assessments is introduced