From representing car parking and toilets, to hospitals and full accessibility, the universal language of information symbols used in public places is contained in a new international standard.
Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 7001:2007, Graphical Symbols–Public Information Symbols, provides a method of communicating public information through a collection of symbols designed for use in buildings and other places, and for services used by the public, regardless of country or culture.
It covers the main requirements for images displayed on signs in all kinds of public areas, but it also was produced with the expectation that maps and guides would incorporate the graphical symbols.
The standard covers 79 public-information symbols designed for all locations and all sectors where the public has access. Each is displayed with a visual illustration and the image content, function and meaning.
For users’ convenience, ISO has grouped the symbols in categories according to the areas where they normally are expected to be used: public facilities; transport facilities; tourism, culture and heritage; sporting activities, commercial facilities; and behavior of the public, excluding public safety.
ISO 7001:2007 replaces ISO 7001:1990 and has been revised and expanded with accessibility issues in mind.
According to ISO, the standard will be developed further to take into account the increasing demands for a clear and concise way of presenting information readily to the widest possible public. ISO already has identified more than 100 potential symbols for future consideration in such areas as sports, tourism, commerce and transport.
ISO 7001:2007 is intended to be used by all ISO technical committees that require information symbols in their industry for communicating to the public and, with its associated standard on safety signs (ISO 7010), is intended to ensure there is one internationally used symbol for each message.
