ISO 9241-161:2025

Overview

ISO 9241-161:2025 - Ergonomics of human‑system interaction: Part 161 - Visual user‑interface elements defines ergonomic requirements and recommendations for selecting and using visual UI components in interactive systems. The standard focuses on visual software components that make human‑system interaction usable across fixed, portable, mobile and cross‑device contexts. It addresses compositions, states, accessibility and relationships with input techniques, but does not prescribe graphical design, implementation code, or decorative (hedonic-only) elements.

Key topics and technical scope

• Selection and usage: guidance for choosing appropriate visual user‑interface elements for tasks and contexts.
• Dependencies and composition: how elements combine in layouts and component systems.
• Accessibility: requirements to support diverse users and assistive technologies.
• Input relationships: mapping between input techniques and visual elements (e.g., touch, keyboard, pointer).
• States and behavior: standard description of element states (default, active, disabled, focused, etc.).
• Element descriptions: structured descriptions, components and usage guidance for many UI elements, including: accordion, slider (analogue form element), avatar, badge, breadcrumb, button, carousel, checkbox, collapsible container, colour picker, combo box, cursor, date picker, dialogue box, and more.
• Documentation format: normative references, terms and definitions, and practical “when/how to use” subsections for individual elements.

Practical applications

ISO 9241-161 is intended to improve usability and consistency of interfaces by providing a common reference for visual UI elements. Typical uses:

• UX/UI design systems: inform component libraries, pattern docs and design tokens for consistent interaction behavior and states.
• Product design & development: guide front‑end engineers and interaction designers on when and how to use specific elements across devices.
• Accessibility and compliance: support accessibility audits, procurement requirements, and regulatory conformity in public sector and enterprise software.
• Quality assurance and usability testing: build checklists and test cases that reference standard element behavior and states.
• Standards alignment: align organizational UI guidelines with ISO ergonomics best practice for human‑system interaction.

Who should use it

• UX designers, interaction designers and design system owners
• Front‑end developers and software architects
• Accessibility specialists and usability practitioners
• Product managers, procurement officers and compliance teams

Related standards

ISO 9241 is a multi‑part series on ergonomics of human‑system interaction; Part 161 complements other ISO 9241 parts on general principles, usability metrics, and input methods. Use ISO 9241‑161 with other relevant ISO 9241 parts for a comprehensive ergonomics strategy.

Keywords: ISO 9241-161, visual user-interface elements, ergonomics, human-system interaction, usability, accessibility, UI components, design system, cross-device.