The International Plain Language Federation worked with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to develop a series of international standards regarding plain language. These standards, beginning with ISO 24495-1 in 2023, provide principles and guidelines—such as ensuring information is relevant, findable, understandable, and usable—to create documents that meet diverse reader needs across various sectors.
- The standard is language neutral and designed to work across all languages and sectors.
- Only about 7% of the guidance in ISO 24495-1 focuses on specific word choice; most relates to structure, findability, understandability, and usability.
- Part 2 (Legal communication) was published in August 2025, while Part 3 (Science writing) is slated for May 2026.
- ISO 24896:2026 provides the first international standard for consistent design requirements in business reporting visuals like charts and tables.
- The standard is language neutral and designed to work across all languages and sectors.
- Only about 7% of the guidance in ISO 24495-1 focuses on specific word choice; most relates to structure, findability, understandability, and usability.
- Part 2 (Legal communication) was published in August 2025, while Part 3 (Science writing) is slated for May 2026.
- ISO 24896:2026 provides the first international standard for consistent design requirements in business reporting visuals like charts and tables.
