EN ISO 9241-210:2019 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 9241-210:2019 (ISO 9241-210:2019) defines requirements and recommendations for human-centred design (HCD) of computer-based interactive systems. Published by CEN and aligned with ISO, it guides the planning and management of design processes across the product life cycle for hardware, software and services. It applies to a wide range of interactive systems - from off‑the‑shelf software and websites to kiosks, ATMs, mobile devices and process-control systems - and is intended for those responsible for design projects and for human factors/usability professionals.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Human‑centred design principles: the standard codifies principles such as designing from an explicit understanding of users, involving users throughout development, using user-centred evaluation, iterative development, addressing the whole user experience, and including multidisciplinary skills.
• Planning HCD: responsibilities, timing, resources and integration of HCD activities with overall project plans.
• Core HCD activities:
  • Understanding and specifying context of use (users, tasks, environments)
  • Specifying user requirements (deriving and validating user needs)
  • Producing design solutions (task and interaction design, prototyping)
  • Evaluating designs (user-based testing, inspection-based evaluation, long‑term monitoring)
• Conformance and assessment: guidance for demonstrating conformance, including a sample procedure and a checklist (Annex B).
• Scope limitations: the standard provides an overview of methods rather than detailed methods/techniques and does not address health/safety topics in depth.
• Sustainability: HCD considerations across product life cycles to support sustainable design choices.

Applications and who should use it

• Target users:
  • UX/UI designers and researchers
  • Human factors and ergonomics professionals
  • Product managers, project managers and development leads
  • Accessibility specialists and procurement teams
• Practical uses:
  • Embedding usability and accessibility requirements into product roadmaps
  • Structuring user research, prototyping and usability testing workflows
  • Ensuring iterative, evidence‑based design decisions for websites, apps, consumer electronics, control systems and services
  • Supporting procurement and conformance claims for usability and user experience

Related standards

• Part of the ISO 9241 series (see Annex A for overview) - consult other ISO 9241 parts for detailed usability and accessibility guidance
• ISO 6385 for broader ergonomics principles
• Use together with sector‑specific accessibility and usability standards to implement detailed methods

Keywords: ISO 9241-210, human-centred design, ergonomics, usability, interactive systems, user requirements, context of use, user evaluation, accessibility, UX best practices.