Standards Development

Scope

This document applies to the preparation of instructions for assembly of self-assembly products. It provides requirements and recommendations for the presentation of instructions to a non-skilled target audience assembling a product without help from a trainer or supervisor. These requirements and recommendations are additional to those in IEC/IEEE 82079-1, which applies to the preparation of all information for use of all products  including aspects such as operation and maintenance.

Instructions for assembly of self-assembly products covers:

      Instructions that are provided to support a product that is supplied as a kit of component parts designed to be assembled into a specific item (which can have alternative assembly configurations). These are often described as “flatpack products.”

      Instructions for installing products supplied with components (e.g. screws) intended for attachment to existing products (e.g. a vehicle) or fixtures (e.g. a wall).

      Instructions for erecting or configuring products that incorporate structural elements requiring folding, locking, or tensioning (e.g. child pushchairs or camping equipment).

      Instructions intended to support the assembly of a specific product intended to be assembled by a non-skilled person for their own use - or for use by some other individual (e.g. assembly of a toy by a parent for subsequent use by a child).

The document applies to instructions for all self-assembly products intended to be assembled by non-skilled persons. A skilled person here means an individual who – through relevant technical education, training or experience is able to perceive all risks and avoid all hazards in the assembly and use of a particular product. In contrast, non-skilled persons performing product assembly without supervision or product-specific training  rely solely on the information for use (including assembly instructions) provided for the safety of the assembly task and of the assembled product. ,  In addition to consumers, persons considered non-skilled can therefore include independent installers of appliances and assemblers of furniture.

However, information for use (assembly instructions) cannot compensate for product designs that are too complex (or too demanding of craft skills) for the intended target audience. Moreover, self-assembly instructions for large and complex systems do not completely substitute for a professional assembler's technical experience in anticipating, perceiving, and controlling risks.

This document does not apply to:

      Components or constructional material supplied in combinations and numbers specified by the customer;

      Multiple identical kits supplied in batches for professional assembly and commercial sale as an assembled product;

      Products intended for assembly only by someone professionally skilled or trained in assembling such products e.g. an electrician or a vehicle mechanic.

This document is intended for use by all parties involved in the preparation of instructions for self-assembly, including the following: product manufacturers and suppliers, hardware and software product and information designers, technical writers, technical illustrators, testers and evaluators, managers, and safety authorities.