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.
ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English (STE) is a controlled natural language designed to enhance the clarity and readability of technical documentation, particularly for non-native English speakers. Originally developed in the 1980s by the European Association of Aerospace Industries (AECMA) for aircraft maintenance manuals, it has expanded into various sectors including defense, automotive, and medical devices. The standard consists of specific writing rules—such as sentence length limits and active voice preferences—and a dictionary containing approximately 900 approved words with restricted parts of speech to prevent ambiguity.
- It is often used alongside plain language and other style guides rather than as a total replacement.
- The maintenance group (STEMG) relies on user feedback to update rules and vocabulary.
- It is often used alongside plain language and other style guides rather than as a total replacement.
- The maintenance group (STEMG) relies on user feedback to update rules and vocabulary.
