ISO 7001 on Public information symbols modified by Amendment 1

I’m always surprised by how many Document Center customers use graphical symbols in their businesses.  So you’ll be interested in knowing that the ISO 7001 2nd Edition, “Graphical symbols — Public information symbols,” has been modified by the release of the new Amendment 1.  The amendment adds 43 new symbols to the standard.

Public information symbols, sometimes known as pictograms, are used at public facilities such as public transportation, tourist attractions, and sports venues.  They include the ubiquitous man, woman and wheelchair symbols on restrooms as well as symbols for parking lots and so on.

ISO 7001 is one of a series of International Standards on graphical symbols.  The latest revision of the standard, the ISO 7001:2007, was issued to increase the number of symbols to promote public accessibility.  The goal?  To have universal consistency in the presentation of graphical information so that folks with differing language backgrounds could understand a particular message.

The new Amendment 1 for ISO 7001 2nd Edition adds symbols for such diverse activities  as removing your shoes and holding your dog, as well as new signage for identifying indoor swimming pools, internet cafes and so on.

Each symbol is given it’s own page.  There is the symbol itself and then information on usage and intention of the pictogram.  For example, the symbol for “Dogs should be carried” has both a definition of intention (To indicate that dogs should be carried) and image content (the upper half of a human body, holding a dog).  Then it goes on to suggest when the symbol should be used (for escalators and moving walkways) and where to place it (at the start of an escalator or walkway).  It also states that the goal is to modify public behavior and suggests that due to the results of testing, it is advised to include text along with the symbol.

If you’re interested in what it takes to create a public symbol, there’s a standard for that too!  Use ISO 22727, “Graphical symbols — Creation and design of public information symbols — Requirements.”  The standard was developed for ISO technical committees and others to ensure consistency in design and comprehensibility.

ISO standards like ISO 7001 and ISO 22727 are available from Document Center under license agreement.  You can buy ISO standards in paper format or for pdf download at Document Center’s web store, www.document-center.com.  Or if you wish, you can contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-571-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Territorial restrictions may apply.