Standards Development

Scope

This is a New Work ballot to re-activate a cancelled project.

This document specifies principles, requirements, recommendations and other provisions for preparing and presenting instructions for the assembly of self-assembly products intended for a non-skilled target audience assembling a product without help from a trainer or supervisor.

This document is applicable to instructions for:

— supporting the assembly of a product that is supplied as a kit of components designed to be assembled into a specific item, which can have alternative assembly configurations (often described as “flatpack products”);

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

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

— supporting the assembly of a specific product intended to be assembled by a non-skilled assembler for their own use or for use by another individual (e.g. assembly of a toy by a parent for subsequent use by a child).

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 professional assembly only by someone skilled or trained in assembling such products or by a skilled person whose relevant technical education, training or experience enables them to perceive risks and avoid hazards in the assembly and use of a category of products (e.g. electrician, vehicle mechanic).

This document is applicable to all parties involved in the preparation of instructions for self-assembly, including:

— product suppliers;

— hardware and software product and information designers;

— technical communicators and technical illustrators;

— testers and evaluators;

— managers;

— safety authorities.

This document is supplementary to IEC/IEEE 82079-1, which specifies provisions applicable to the preparation of all information for use of products – including self-assembly and all other phases (such as operation, maintenance and disposal).

Purpose

(This is a New Work ballot to re-activate a cancelled project.)

This document sets out principles, requirements, recommendations and other provisions for preparing instructions for self-assembly of products by non-skilled assemblers that are adapted to their expected knowledge and abilities. The goal is to enable them to avoid misunderstandings, errors or injury, and end up with correctly assembled, undamaged products (with the added benefit that product suppliers can avoid complaints from frustrated, dissatisfied customers).

Part 1 of 82079 provides principles and general normative requirements applicable to all information for use of any type of product but makes only a few basic requirements (in clause 7.12) specific to instructions for the assembly of self-assembly products. ISO COPOLCO remains concerned about the inadequacy (and sometimes unsafety) of instructions accompanying products for self-assembly by consumers. This document will provide detailed supplementary best practice specific to the preparation of instructions for self-assembly which (based on research findings) should be more effective in reducing the risk of assemblers (particularly consumers) making errors that could pose a risk of injury during assembling or in use of a mis-assembled product.