ISO 9241-1:1997

Overview

ISO 9241-1:1997 is the general introduction to the multipart ISO 9241 series, which defines ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs). This part explains the purpose, structure and intended use of the series, introduces the user-performance approach to ergonomic evaluation, and gives guidance on how to apply and report conformance to parts of ISO 9241. It is aimed at improving safety, comfort, efficiency and usability of VDT-based work.

Key topics and requirements

• User-performance approach: specifies that ergonomic requirements can be expressed as measurable user performance objectives (accuracy, speed, comfort) and evaluated by user-performance tests as an alternative to fixed product specifications.
• Scope and context of use: emphasizes defining the context of use (users, tasks, environment) before choosing usability objectives or design solutions.
• Structure of the standard series: provides an overview of parts covering hardware (displays, keyboards, non‑keyboard input devices), workstation layout and postural needs, environmental factors (lighting, acoustics, thermal), and software/dialogue aspects (presentation, menus, commands, direct manipulation, form-filling).
• Guidance on use: recommends an iterative process - specify ergonomic requirements, design applying ISO guidance, evaluate against requirements, and diagnose/rectify failures.
• Reporting conformance: describes how to report compliance with parts of ISO 9241 (principles for declaring conformance are introduced).

Practical applications

ISO 9241-1:1997 is a foundational document used to:

• Help designers and manufacturers develop ergonomically sound VDT hardware and software.
• Guide purchasers and specifiers when procuring workplace equipment and systems.
• Support ergonomists, occupational health professionals and evaluators in assessing equipment, workstations and workflows.
• Inform facility managers and HR on workplace setup, environmental controls and work organization to reduce errors, discomfort and health risks.

Practical use cases include setting usability objectives for software, defining workstation layout criteria, selecting input devices, and conducting user-performance tests to validate novel technologies.

Related standards

• ISO 6385 (principles of work systems design) - normative reference for definitions and design principles.
• IEC 950 - covers electrical safety (ISO 9241 does not cover electrical safety).
• ISO 13406-1 / ISO 13406-2 - ergonomic aspects of flat panel displays.
• ISO 13407 - human-centred design for interactive systems.

Keywords: ISO 9241-1, VDT ergonomics, ergonomic requirements, user-performance approach, usability, workstation layout, display requirements, keyboard requirements.