ISO 20685-1:2018

Overview

ISO 20685-1:2018 - "3-D scanning methodologies for internationally compatible anthropometric databases - Part 1" - is an evaluation protocol for extracting one‑dimensional (1‑D) anthropometric measurements from 3‑D body scans. It defines protocols and validation procedures to ensure measurements derived from 3‑D point clouds are comparable to traditional anthropometric measurements defined in ISO 7250‑1. The standard covers whole‑body and body‑segment scanners (head, hand, foot), but excludes systems that only measure landmark motion or locations.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Scope and terminology: Definitions for 3‑D body scanner hardware/software, point cloud, anatomical landmarks, repeatability and accuracy using the ISO x,y,z coordinate system.
• Selection of extracted measurements: Guidance on which ISO 7250‑1 measurements are appropriate for whole‑body, head, or hand/foot scanners (e.g., stature, chest circumference, head length, hand breadth).
• Accuracy standards: Maximum allowable mean differences between 3‑D extracted values and traditional anthropometrist measurements (examples from Table 4):
  • Segment lengths: ±5 mm
  • Body heights: ±4 mm
  • Large circumferences (chest): ±9 mm
  • Small circumferences (neck): ±4 mm
  • Head (without hair): ±1 mm; with hair: ±2 mm
  • Hand dimensions: ±1 mm; Foot dimensions: ±2 mm
• Validation study design: Requirements and procedures for conducting validation studies, including sampling, test subject selection, analytical procedures, reporting, and methods to estimate sample size.
• Error control: Annex A (informative) outlines methods to reduce scanning and processing errors (scanner setup, subject posture, software extraction).

Practical applications and users

ISO 20685-1 is intended for:

• Organizations building anthropometric databases from 3‑D scans for product and systems design.
• Engineers and designers in apparel, automotive, furniture, and ergonomics who rely on accurate body dimensions.
• Researchers conducting validation studies or producing datasets for standards-compliant international databases (e.g., ISO 15535).
• Scanner users and manufacturers who want to verify that their 3‑D scanning workflows meet internationally accepted accuracy and reporting practices.

Practical uses include clothing fit studies, vehicle interior layout, workspace ergonomics, medical prosthetics sizing, and population anthropometry research.

Related standards

• ISO 7250‑1 - Basic human body measurements: definitions and landmarks (primary source of measurement definitions).
• ISO 15535 - Guidance on anthropometric databases (for inclusion of validated 1‑D data).
• Work developed by ISO/TC 159/SC 3 (Anthropometry and biomechanics).

By following ISO 20685-1:2018, practitioners can ensure 3‑D scan–derived anthropometric data are valid, repeatable, and interoperable for international design and research applications.