What Are User Instructions?
Equivalent to Information for Use, consumers or users shall be provided with information to use products as intended. The instructions and safety information shall be clear and in the local language which can be easily understood by consumers. This is a shared obligation for manufacturers, importers, distributors, webshops and retailers.
Some points to note:
- Information about the risks inherent in a product is essential for safe use; especially where the risks are not immediately obvious
- Take normal use and (foreseeable) misuse during the product’s lifecycle into account
- Adequate warnings and precautions against the risks shall be clearly communicated. Such warnings are a last resort and only intended for products that cannot be designed any safer and have unavoidable, remaining risks
- The obligation does not apply to very simple products that can be used safely
EU Standard: EN IEC/IEEE 82079-1
This is the international standard available with principles for creating clear information for use.
The standard provides guidance on information or instructions to help users understand how to safely and effectively assemble, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, repair and dispose of the product.
The information for use is considered an integral, inseparable part of the product.
Although EN IEC/IEEE 82079-1 is best known for machinery and electrical products, it can be applied to a very wide range of products. The standard applies, but is not limited to, the following:
• Consumer electronics, household appliances and wireless devices;
• Office software and online applications;
• Self-assembly furniture;
• Machinery, attachments and parts;
• Chemical mixtures;
• Medical equipment, and systems;
• Vehicles, motorcycles, trains and boats;
• Technical services
This article is originally published by ProductIP:
Caspar ter Horst – Managing Director, ProductIP
Caspar has 25+ years of experience in product compliance. In 2008, he co-founded ProductIP together with Maarten van der Dussen. Caspar and his team are dedicated to support companies within the supply chain to efficiently demonstrate to customers, authorities, and users that their products meet applicable legislation and buying requirements. As a result, helping companies reduce costs, streamline operations, manage suppliers, and at the same time put compliant, safer, more sustainable products to the market.
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