EN ISO 9241-112:2025 - "Ergonomics of human‑system interaction - Part 112: Principles for the presentation of information" is a CEN‑adopted edition of ISO 9241‑112:2025. It establishes ergonomic design principles and recommendations for the software‑controlled presentation of information by user interfaces across the three main modalities: visual, auditory and tactile/haptic. The standard applies to interactive systems and their outputs (including printed documents and common computer export formats such as PDF, text and tables). It is intended for analysis, design and evaluation of information presentation but does not replace context‑specific domain rules.
Key topics and technical focus
The standard defines high‑level principles and accompanying guidance (not exhaustive nor always independent). Key topics include:
- Detectability - ensuring presented information and UI elements are perceptible and timely.
- Discriminability - structuring and using attributes (proximity, similarity, visual/auditory cues) so different items are distinguishable.
- Conciseness - reducing unnecessary content and actions to lower cognitive load and speed task completion.
- Unambiguous interpretability - making meaning clear through comprehensibility, consistent conventions, closure and appropriate modality selection.
- Freedom from distraction - minimizing irrelevant or competing stimuli that interfere with task focus.
- Consistency (internal and external) - keeping presentation coherent across items, interactions and with user expectations/conventions.
- Modalities & accessibility - guidance on selecting and combining visual, auditory and haptic media, with attention to accessibility and user capabilities.
The document also provides normative structure (terms/definitions, scope) and practical guidance for applying these principles during UI design and evaluation.
Practical applications and users
Who uses ISO 9241‑112:2025:
- UX/UI designers and interaction designers applying ergonomic principles to screens, voice interfaces and haptics.
- Software engineers and front‑end developers implementing accessible, unambiguous interfaces.
- Accessibility specialists and usability evaluators assessing detectability, discriminability and overall information clarity.
- Technical writers, product managers and system architects defining output formats (PDF, reports, exports) and human‑system interaction requirements.
- HCI researchers and standards/compliance teams aligning products with ISO 9241 series best practices.
Benefits include improved user speed, accuracy, reduced mental effort, fewer misinterpretations and better overall user experience for ICT products and peripherals.
Related standards
- ISO 9241‑110 (interaction principles) - ISO 9241‑112 complements interaction principles and is part of the broader ISO 9241 ergonomics series for human‑system interaction.
- Use this part alongside other domain‑specific standards where context‑specific recommendations are required.
Keywords: ISO 9241-112:2025, ergonomics, human-system interaction, information presentation, UI design, accessibility, UX, interaction principles.