EN 17210:2021 contributes to an accessible and usable built environment

Based on this mandate, CEN-CLC/JTC 11 recently published EN 17210:2021 ‘Accessibility and usability of the built environment - Functional requirements’. The standard is intended to describe basic, common minimum functional requirements and recommendations, applicable across the full spectrum of the built environment, for an accessible and usable built environment, following the Design for All/Universal Design principles which will facilitate equitable and safe use for a wide range of users, including persons with disabilities. The functional accessibility and usability requirements and recommendations described in this standard are relevant to the design, construction, refurbishment, adaptation, and maintenance of built environments including outdoor pedestrian and urban areas.

EN 17210:2021 was developed on the basis of consensus and in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders: ANEC (European Association for the Coordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation), EDF (European Disability Forum), AGE platform Europe, the European Commission, ENAT (European Network for Accessible Tourism), SBS (Small Business Standards) and ETSA (European Textile Services Association). CEN-CLC/JTC 11 also worked closely with CEN/TC 10 ‘Lifts, escalators and moving walks’.

FprCEN/TR 17621 covering technical performance criteria and specifications and FprCEN/TR 17622 on conformity assessment related to the accessibility and usability of the built environment are under approval with the aim to complement EN 17210:2021.

Furthermore, the Spanish Association for Standardization, UNE, and Fundación ONCE are organising the workshop ‘Towards common European criteria on accessibility of the built environment: Outcomes of Mandate M/420’ on 22 March 2021 from 10:00 to 12:00. The goal of the workshop is to present EN 17210:2021, FprCEN/TR 17621 and FprCEN/TR 17622 and explain the importance of these deliverables for public authorities and public procurers, designers, people with disabilities and older people. International sign language and live captions will be provided at the event.

You can register at the following link.