From a technical writing perspective, two standards are particularly relevant for the creation of software user information: ISO/IEC/IEEE 26513:2017 Systems and software engineering – Requirements for testers and reviewers of information for users ISO/IEC/IEEE 26514:2022 Systems and software engineering – Design and development of information for users The two standards, which are available in English, refer to [...]
Digital Documentation Regulated Explicitly for the First Time With the entry into force of the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 in 2024, the digital provision of operating instructions and declarations of conformity, as well as a digital contact option, were explicitly mentioned in the text of the law for the first time. Until then, the common interpretation was that these documents had to be supplied in printed form—even though this was never explicitly required. [...]
Technical documentation (TD) must be understandable. Requirements for this can be found in German and European liability law, in the German Product Safety Act and the associated regulations, and in relevant EU directives. And since most technical documents are translated into several languages due to the internationalization of markets, comprehensibility is also important for this reason. Comprehensible texts Easier comprehensibility of [...]
For medical devices, it is possible to provide instructions for use in electronic form. However, this was previously limited to certain products by Regulation (EU) 207/2012. New regulations under Regulation (EU) 2017/745 With the current Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745, this option has been retained in Annex I, Chapter III. More precise regulation was provided by the Implementing Regulation (EU) [...]
Withdrawal announced: VDI 4500 Sheet 6 on technical documentation In June 2025, it was officially announced that Part 6 of VDI Guideline 4500 ("Technical Documentation - Documentation Process - Publishing") is to be withdrawn. The guideline is considered technically outdated and no longer meets the current requirements for modern documentation processes. However, the withdrawal [...]
The systems used in today's industrial landscape are becoming ever more extensive and complex. Comprehensible, clear and structured plant documentation is essential. It not only ensures compliance with legal requirements, but also contributes to efficiency and safety in operation. Digital provision makes it easier for plant operators to access information for training, service and other [...]
Issue date: March 2025 DIN EN ISO 20607: Safety of machinery - Instruction handbooks - General principles for design A new draft of DIN EN ISO 20607 has been available since this month. The standard deals with requirements for the design of operating instructions for machinery. These requirements are a supplement to chapter 6.4 of DIN EN ISO [...]
The use of AI systems is already an objective for the near future in many areas of mechanical and plant engineering. However, a 2020 report by the European Commission found that the current product safety legislation at the time, including in relation to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, had a number of gaps with regard to safety risks in [...]
A number of new EU directives and regulations have been published in recent months, which also place requirements on technical documentation. In view of the numerous changes, it is not easy to keep track of everything. In this blog article, I will give you a quick insight into the upcoming developments. Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 The new Product Safety Regulation comes into force on 13.12.2024 [...]
Date of issue: December 2022 DIN EN ISO 7010/A4, A5 and A6: Graphical symbols - Safety colors and safety signs - Registered safety signs - Amendment 4 to 6 Three supplemented drafts of DIN EN ISO 7010 have been published. The standard deals with safety colors and signs for accident prevention, fire protection, protection against health hazards and for escape routes. [...]
