ISO 28564-2:2016

Overview - ISO 28564-2:2016 (Public information guidance systems)

ISO 28564-2:2016 provides international guidance for the design and use of location signs and direction signs in public places and working areas. It covers the full lifecycle of signage systems - preparation, design, construction, inspection, updating and testing - to ensure signs help users find facilities and routes quickly, safely and consistently. Typical environments include shopping centres, hospitals, transport hubs (bus/rail/airports), museums, parks and office complexes. The standard excludes regulated sectors (for example, highway traffic signs) but its principles are often relevant in coordinated wayfinding schemes.

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 28564-2 focuses on practical, user-centred design principles and element requirements:

• Preparation & brief: defining area coverage, user characteristics, viewing distances, decision points and coordination with maps or safety signage.
• Design principles: legibility, consistency, simplicity, message prioritization, multilingual use, avoidance of jargon, inclusivity and environmental sensitivity.
• Visual elements: guidance on graphical symbols, arrows, text and numerals, colour use and containing shapes to ensure clarity and rapid comprehension.
• Layout: relationships between symbols, arrows and text and how to present hierarchical information along routes.
• Sign carrier: material selection, glare/reflection control, illumination and sustainability considerations for durable, maintainable signs.
• Inspection, updating and testing: processes to verify performance over time (including performance tests for wayfinding systems described in annexes).

Practical applications and who uses it

ISO 28564-2 is aimed at professionals responsible for planning and implementing wayfinding and public information signage:

• Wayfinding and signage designers
• Architects and interior designers
• Facility and estates managers (retail centres, hospitals, campuses)
• Transport planners and station/airport operators
• Museum and attraction curators
• Local authorities and urban designers

Practical benefits include improved user navigation, reduced congestion and staff intervention, enhanced accessibility for diverse user groups, coherent visual identity across sites, and lower lifecycle costs through better material and maintenance choices.

Related standards

ISO 28564-2 should be used alongside related ISO documents for complete guidance:

• ISO 28564-1 (plans, maps and diagrams)
• ISO 7001 (public information symbols)
• ISO 7010 / ISO 3864 (safety signs and colours)
• ISO 9186 (graphical symbol test methods)
• ISO 22727 / ISO 17724 (symbol creation and vocabulary)

For project implementation, reference the full ISO 28564-2:2016 publication to apply the detailed guidelines and annexed performance tests.