EN ISO 9241-1:1997 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 9241-1:1997 is the general introduction to the multipart standard ISO 9241 on ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs). This Part 1 document explains the purpose, scope and structure of the ISO 9241 series, introduces the user‑performance approach, and gives guidance on how to use the standard and report conformance. It is aimed at improving performance, comfort and safety for people who work with screens and related input/output devices.

Key topics and requirements

• User‑performance approach: Emphasizes evaluating systems by measuring actual user performance (accuracy, speed, comfort) rather than relying solely on static product specifications. Where applicable, parts of ISO 9241 include user‑performance tests and guidance on test conditions and metrics.
• Structure and coverage: Part 1 provides an overview of other parts in the series, which address topics such as:
  • Visual display requirements (screen hardware)
  • Keyboard requirements and layouts
  • Workstation layout and postural requirements
  • Environmental requirements (lighting, acoustics, thermal)
  • Non‑keyboard input devices and dialogue/presentation principles
  • Usability, user guidance, menus, commands, direct manipulation, form‑filling
• Guidance on use: Recommends an iterative process - specify ergonomic objectives; design applying principles and recommendations; evaluate against those objectives; and iterate.
• Conformance reporting: Describes how organizations should report compliance with parts of ISO 9241.
• Scope note: Focuses on office tasks (text and data processing) but is applicable to similar contexts (medical, control rooms, public access). Electrical safety is outside ISO 9241’s scope (see IEC 950).

Practical applications

Who uses ISO 9241-1 and why:

• Designers & manufacturers of displays, keyboards and input devices - to embed ergonomic principles and validate new technologies using user‑performance tests.
• Software and UX professionals - to inform user interface, dialogue and presentation design that improves usability and reduces user error.
• Procurement teams & facility managers - to specify ergonomic requirements when buying VDTs, workstations or services.
• Occupational health & safety and ergonomists - to assess workplaces, reduce fatigue and prevent discomfort related to screen work.
• Researchers & usability testers - to define metrics, test protocols and sampling for user‑performance evaluations.

Practical uses include drafting procurement specs, conducting usability and ergonomic assessments, designing workstations and developing human‑centred interactive systems.

Related standards

• IEC 950 - electrical safety of VDTs (not covered by ISO 9241)
• ISO 13406‑1 / ISO 13406‑2 - ergonomic aspects of flat panel displays
• ISO 13407 - human‑centred design process for interactive systems
• ISO 6385 - principles for the design of work systems
• ISO 9995 - keyboard layouts

Keywords: ISO 9241-1, ergonomic requirements, VDT, visual display terminals, user‑performance approach, usability, workstation ergonomics.