ISO 17480, “Packaging – Accessible design – Ease of opening,” has just been released. This new publication is available from Document Center Inc. now, in paper format, for pdf download, and as part of our multi-user Standards Online subscription service. It has been developed to address the problems that often face older persons and folks with special needs. It stands in contrast to standards which make opening packages more difficult in order to protect children!
Accessible design is probably most familiar to people because of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. It is the process of designing with the needs of people with disabilities specifically in mind. A key requirement of accessibility is the concept of independence, being able to access or use something independently. So improvements in the openability of packaging fits right in with this discipline.
ISO 17480 was written with designers, developers, and evaluators of packaging in mind. It contains the usual scope, referenced documents and terms and definitions sections. Clause 4 covers both general considerations and specific requirements for design supporting ease of opening. Clause 5 shows you how you can evaluate the success of your design and Clause 6 covers conformance.
However, it’s the Annexes that will provide you with significant information for your design challenges. Annex A is a set of figures and text describing various opening types. Annex B gives you a set of examples of mechanical evaluation methods (think torque measuring devices for ease of turning for glass containers, etc.) Annex C discusses the relationship of human strength and dexterity when applied to opening packages. Annex D provides you with a consumer panel test used for ease of opening (taken from CEN/TS 15945). Annex E covers the relation of human cognition to the opening of packages (yes, the standard does cover challenges faced by the elderly!). You’ll find Annex F helpful too — It’s a designer’s checklist. And Annex G is the checklist for conformance with the standard itself. A 28-item bibliography completes the document.
It’s true. The population is aging! So designing with physical and cognitive challenges in mind is going to be more and more important as time goes on. The ISO 17480 provides you with the information and requirements you’ll want to use if you have a product that is sold to this demographic. So how will you get a copy? Head to the Document Center website at www.document-center.com to order your copy online. Or contact our staff by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). We’ve been working with standards since 1982. Make us your Standards Experts!