SIST EN ISO 9241-112:2025

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2025
Ergonomija medsebojnega vplivanja človek-sistem - 112. del: Načela za prikaz
informacij (ISO 9241-112:2025)
Ergonomics of human-system interaction - Part 112: Principles for the presentation of
information (ISO 9241-112:2025)
Ergonomie der Mensch-System-Interaktion - Teil 112: Grundsätze der
Informationsdarstellung (ISO 9241-112:2025)
Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système - Partie 112: Principes relatifs à la
présentation de l'information (ISO 9241-112:2025)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 9241-112:2025
ICS:
13.180 Ergonomija Ergonomics
35.180 Terminalska in druga IT Terminal and other
periferna oprema IT peripheral equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 9241-112
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
June 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.180; 35.180 Supersedes EN ISO 9241-112:2017
English Version
Ergonomics of human-system interaction - Part 112:
Principles for the presentation of information (ISO 9241-
112:2025)
Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système - Partie Ergonomie der Mensch-System-Interaktion - Teil 112:
112: Principes relatifs à la présentation de Grundsätze der Informationsdarstellung (ISO 9241-
l'information (ISO 9241-112:2025) 112:2025)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 7 June 2025.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 9241-112:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
This document (EN ISO 9241-112:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159
"Ergonomics" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 122 “Ergonomics” the secretariat of
which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by December 2025, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by December 2025.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 9241-112:2017.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 9241-112:2025 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 9241-112:2025 without any
modification.
International
Standard
ISO 9241-112
Second edition
Ergonomics of human-system
2025-06
interaction —
Part 112:
Principles for the presentation of
information
Ergonomie de l'interaction homme-système —
Partie 112: Principes relatifs à la présentation de l'information
Reference number
ISO 9241-112:2025(en) © ISO 2025

ISO 9241-112:2025(en)
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO 9241-112:2025(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Introduction to the presentation of information . 3
4.1 Presentation of information within the ISO 9241 series and their relationship .3
4.2 Modalities and media.4
4.3 Accessibility .5
4.4 Action guidance .5
4.5 Information presentation and aesthetics .5
5 Introduction to the principles for presentation of information . 5
5.1 Overview .5
5.2 Relationship to other sets of principles in the ISO 9241-100 series .5
5.3 Relationship between individual principles .6
6 Principles and recommendations . . 6
6.1 Detectability .6
6.1.1 Principle of detectability .6
6.1.2 Guidance related to using prominence .6
6.1.3 Guidance related to timely presentation of information .7
6.1.4 Guidance related to making user-interface elements detectable by the user .8
6.1.5 Guidance related to using continuity to aid detectability .8
6.2 Discriminability . .9
6.2.1 Principle of discriminability .9
6.2.2 Guidance related to the structuring of presented information .9
6.2.3 Guidance related to using presentation attributes . .9
6.2.4 Guidance related to grouping using proximity .10
6.2.5 Guidance related to using similarity .10
6.3 Conciseness . .11
6.3.1 Principle of conciseness .11
6.3.2 Guidance related to conciseness of content.11
6.3.3 Guidance related to conciseness of actions .11
6.4 Unambiguous interpretability . 12
6.4.1 Principle of unambiguous interpretability . 12
6.4.2 Guidance related to ensuring comprehensibility . 12
6.4.3 Guidance related to ensuring unambiguous meaning . 12
6.4.4 Guidance related to using closure . 13
6.4.5 Guidance related to textual coherence .14
6.4.6 Guidance related to selection and use of modality and media .14
6.4.7 Guidance related to temporal appropriateness .14
6.4.8 Guidance related to user capabilities .14
6.5 Freedom from distraction . 15
6.5.1 Principle of freedom from distraction . 15
6.5.2 Guidance on avoiding and minimizing distractions . 15
6.6 Consistency (internal and external) .16
6.6.1 Principle of consistency .16
6.6.2 Guidance related to consistency across items of information .16
6.6.3 Guidance related to logical consistency .17
6.6.4 Guidance related to consistency with conventions known to the user .17
Bibliography .18

iii
ISO 9241-112:2025(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics, Subcommittee SC 4,
Ergonomics of human-system interaction, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization
(CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 122, Ergonomics, in accordance with the Agreement on technical
cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 9241-112:2017), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the terms and definitions have been updated;
— the guidance has been updated.
A list of all parts in the ISO 9241 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
ISO 9241-112:2025(en)
Introduction
This document presents principles for the presentation of information that apply to the design and evaluation
of user interfaces in addition to the interaction principles contained in ISO 9241-110.
The application and use of the principles and general recommendations presented in this document results
in a variety of benefits to users of interactive user interfaces, including improvements in speed, accuracy,
mental effort and user experience. They also help prevent users from experiencing usability problems with
presented information. Examples of such problems include the following:
— users do not detect information, although the information is present;
— users are distracted from information they are focusing on by other information;
— users cannot discriminate between pieces of information, since they appear to be identical;
— users misinterpret information since the meaning of the information is ambiguous;
— users expend unnecessary time in understanding information since the information presented is
unnecessarily lengthy;
— users do not understand information due to unknown conventions used in the information presented.
The principles and general recommendations covered in this document will help to avoid misinterpretations
by providing guidance on the appropriate and effective presentation of information. The guidance in this
document does not deal with the identification of the specific information to be presented.
This document contains general recommendations that apply across modalities. ISO 9241-125 provides
detailed recommendations relating to the design and evaluation of visual user interfaces.
This document focuses on software aspects of the presentation of information and does not include guidance
on the hardware-controlled physical characteristics of information presented in different modalities (such
as those identified ISO 9241-303).
The guidance in this document for presenting information is aimed at helping the user to accomplish tasks.
This guidance is not aimed at the presentation of information for other reasons (e.g. corporate branding or
advertising).
It is intended for the following types of users:
— user interface designers, who will apply the guidance during the development process;
— software, system, and service developers, who will apply the guidance during the design and
implementation of system functionality;
— evaluators, who are responsible for ensuring that products meet the recommendations;
— designers of user interface development tools and style guides to be used by user interface designers;
— project managers, who are responsible for managing development processes;
— buyers, who will reference this document during product procurement.

v
International Standard ISO 9241-112:2025(en)
Ergonomics of human-system interaction —
Part 112:
Principles for the presentation of information
1 Scope
This document establishes ergonomic design principles for interactive systems related to the software-
controlled presentation of information by user interfaces. It applies to the three main modalities (visual,
auditory, tactile or haptic) typically used in information and communication technology (ICT). These
principles apply to the perception and understanding of presented information. These principles are
applicable in the analysis, design and evaluation of interactive systems. This document also provides
recommendations corresponding to the principles. The recommendations for each of the principles are not
exhaustive and are not necessarily independent from one another.
While this document is applicable to all types of interactive systems, it does not cover the specifics of
particular application domains which require context-specific recommendations. This document also
applies to outputs from interactive systems (such as printed documents and document exports in common
computer formats, e.g. pdf, text and tabular formats).
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 9241-171, Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 171: Guidance on software accessibility
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
user
person who interacts with a system, product or service
Note 1 to entry: Users of a system, product or service include people who operate the system, people who make use
of the output of the system and people who support the system (including people who provide maintenance and
training).
[SOURCE: ISO 9241-11:2018, 3.1.7]

ISO 9241-112:2025(en)
3.2
user interface
set of all components of an interactive system that provide information and controls for the user (3.1) to
accomplish specific tasks with the interactive system
[SOURCE: ISO 9241-110:2020, 3.10]
3.3
user-interface element
basic entity of the user interface (3.2)
Note 1 to entry: User-interface elements are used to compose task objects and executable functions presented on the
user interface.
Note 2 to entry: User-interface elements can be interactive or not.
Note 3 to entry: Text is not interactive, but hyperlinks are interactive.
EXAMPLE Text, hyperlink, push button.
3.4
attribute
data item that modifies or describes some aspect of an action (3.5) or an object
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC TR 11580:2007, 2.2, modified — Note 1 to entry deleted]
3.5
action
user (3.1) behaviour that a system receives as a request for a particular operation
EXAMPLE Pressing a key, clicking a mouse button, moving the pointer over a user-interface element, speaking a
command.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC TR 11580:2007, 2.3, modified — "accepts" changed to "receives", and "moving the pointer
over an object" changed to "moving the pointer over a user-interface element".]
3.6
context of use
combination of users (3.1), goals and tasks, resources, and environment
Note 1 to entry: The “environment” in a context of use includes the technical, physical, social, cultural and
organizational environments.
[SOURCE: ISO 9241-11:2018, 3.1.15]
3.7
modality
mode of interaction referring to one of the human senses
Note 1 to entry: The three modalities most commonly used in ICT are: visual, auditory, tactile or haptic.
Note 2 to entry: Modalities are used in interactions between users (3.1) and systems.
3.8
medium, sing.
media, pl.
different specific form of presenting information to the human user (3.1)
EXAMPLE These include text, video, graphics, animation, audio.

ISO 9241-112:2025(en)
3.9
convention
specific design solution that is widely applied within a culture and therefore commonly expected to apply
EXAMPLE Western languages are typically read from left to right.
3.10
group
set of information items or user-interface elements (3.3) that are semantically related and perceptually
distinct
3.11
accessibility
extent to which products, systems, services, environments and facilities can be used by people from a
population with the widest range of user (3.1) needs, characteristics and capabilities to achieve identified
goals in identified contexts of use (3.6)
Note 1 to entry: Context of use includes direct use or use supported by assistive technologies.
4 Introduction to the presentation of information
4.1 Presentation of information within the ISO 9241 series and their relationship
Whenever the usability of interactive systems is addressed, the presentation of information is a factor
for consideration. Various International Standards, as well as guidelines produced by manufacturers of
interactive systems, contain guidance on the presentation of information.
Figure 1 gives an overview on types of source documents which contain guidance on presented information.
NOTE The following description given in 4.1 also serves as alternative text for Figure 1.
In ISO 9241-110, principles and general recommendations for the interaction between user and system that
apply across application domains and particular technologies are introduced. In particular, the principles of
self-descriptiveness and conformity with user expectations are related to the presentation of information.
Information, which is not self-descriptive, will mislead the user. Information that is not located where users
expect it is likely to not be detected. Information that does not conform to other user expectations can be
misunderstood.
In ISO 9241-112, principles and general recommendations for the presentation of information are introduced
that apply across the three main modalities (visual, auditory and tactile or haptic) typically used in ICT. These
principles and general recommendations also apply across application domains and across technologies.
Other International Standards contain recommendations and requirements with a specific thematic focus.
— Requirements and recommendations specific to the visual presentation of information can be found in
ISO 9241-125.
— Requirements and recommendations specific to the auditory presentation of information can be found
in ISO/TS 9241-126.
— Requirements and recommendations specific to the tactile or haptic presentation of information can be
found in ISO 9241-920.
— Requirements and recommendations specific to interaction techniques can be found in ISO 9241-143.
— Requirements and recommendations specific to an application domain can be found in ISO 9241-154.
— Requirements and recommendations specific to accessibility can be found in standards such as
ISO 9241-20 and ISO 9241-171.
ISO 9241-112:2025(en)
Figure 1 — Relationship between ISO 9241-112 and other sources of guidance on the presentation of
information
4.2 Modalities and media
Modalities are based on human senses:
— visual (seeing);
— auditory (hearing);
— tactile or haptic (touching);
— olfactory (smelling);
— gustatory (tasting).
While humans can perceive information based on all modalities, the visual, auditory, and tactile or haptic
modalities are the ones commonly used in ICT systems. While the principles apply across all modalities,
these three modalities provide the basis for the specific recommendations in this document.
Media are different means of presenting information within one or more modalities [e.g. text (written,
spoken, signed, or tactilely presented), images (visual, tactile), sounds, movies, etc.]. Text is the most flexible
form of information because it can easily be rendered in each of the visual and auditory modalities. While
non-textual information can be more efficient and satisfying in some circumstances, it has the disadvantage
of not easily being transformed between modalities. While this document contains some media-specific
guidance, it does not deal with all possible guidance on the use of any one medium.
It is necessary to perceive (sense) information before it can be understood (i.e., the meaning can be
identified). If users miss perceiving information (due to inattention or due to not being able to utilize the
modality in which it is presented), then they will not have it available for understanding. However, users can
also perceive the existence of some information that they cannot understand (without further information
to help them in this understanding).

ISO 9241-112:2025(en)
4.3 Accessibility
Interactive systems presenting information shall ensure that the presentation of information conforms to
ISO 9241-171.
NOTE 1 ISO 9241-171 provides requirements and recommendations on software accessibility.
NOTE 2 The presentation of the same information in more than one modality or medium increases accessibility.
4.4 Action guidance
Information should be presented in a way that it supports the user’s intended actions rather than explaining
what the system wants the user to do. The design of a system must guide the user in performing the intended
actions, minimizing the need for additional instructive information. However, additional explicit instructive
information can be applied wherever identified as necessary.
NOTE Regarding the presentation characteristics of user-interface elements, action guidance is also referred to
as “affordance” or “cueing the user”.
4.5 Information presentation and aesthetics
While aesthetic effects contribute to the user experience, effects that can reduce overall usability must be
avoided.
NOTE The use of specific effects for aesthetic purposes (such as flashing images, music, or vibration patterns) can
cause a variety of problems for users (including distractions and difficulties in perception).
5 Introduction to the principles for presentation of information
5.1 Overview
The principles in this document address common usability issues that arise in the presentation of
information, when designing user interfaces. They address the ways in which information presented in the
design of user interfaces supports effectiveness and efficiency and can lead to increased user satisfaction.
These principles are:
— detectability;
— discriminability;
— conciseness;
— unambiguous interpretability;
— freedom from distraction;
— consistency (internal and external).
The individual principles are described and each of the principles is accompanied by a non-exhaustive list of
illustrative recommendations at various levels of detail. Designs in accordance with these recommendations
will help prevent users experiencing typical usability problems.
The application of a single recommendation does not mean that the application of a principle has been fully
satisfied.
5.2 Relationship to other sets of principles in the ISO 9241-100 series
The set of principles presented in this document focus on presentation of information that is part of an
interactive system. They should be used together with the principles and guidance presented in ISO 9241-110

ISO 9241-112:2025(en)
which focuses on the interaction between the user and the system. It is recognized that the information
presented by a system is important in guiding the interactions and intended actions of the user.
The set of principles presented in this document also applies to the implementation of the principles
presented in ISO 9241-171:2008, Clause 5 which focuses on designing accessible solutions.
5.3 Relationship between individual principles
The principles presented in this document are not independent and can semantically overlap. It can be
necessary to make trade-offs in the relative importance of the principles in order to optimize usability. The
applicability and the priority given to each principle will vary with the specific field of application, user
groups and the interaction technique chosen.
This implies taking into account the:
— goals of the organization;
— needs of the intended (end) user group;
— tasks to be supported;
— social and physical environment in which the task is being carried out;
— available technologies and resources.
The relevance and relative importance of each principle is determined by the particular context of use. Each
of the principles must be taken into account in analysis, design and evaluation. However, principles can vary
in their relative importance depending on the context of use and other design requirements. In practice,
within design situations for an interactive system, compromises are made.
NOTE The guidance relating to each principle is structured into one or more categories for ease of understanding
the breadth of application of the principle. It is possible that more than one requirement or recommendation contained
in Clause 6 will lead to the same design decision (thus, design outcomes of one guideline can often be the same as those
obtained by applying other guidelines).
6 Principles and recommendations
6.1 Detectability
6.1.1 Principle of detectability
Presented information is detectable if it can be perceived as present.
Detectability involves guidance related to:
a) prominence;
b) timely presentation of information;
c) designing the interactive user-interface elements to be detectable;
d) continuity.
6.1.2 Guidance related to using prominence
6.1.2.1 The user’s attention should be directed towards information as needed.
6.1.2.2 The focus of attention should be set on important information.
EXAMPLE 1 Important information is presented at the top centre of a page of visual information.

ISO 9241-112:2025(en)
EXAMPLE 2 Important information is presented first slowly in an audio announcement and in an easily
understandable and acceptable language.
EXAMPLE 3 Important tactile or haptic information is presented using a higher intensity than less important
information.
6.1.2.3 The most important information (including critical elements) should be presented to stand out
from other presented items of information and secure the user's attention.
EXAMPLE 1 Critical information is presented in larger, bold faced, visually contrasting text in a visual display.
EXAMPLE 2 Pauses are used to call attention to critical information in an audio announcement.
EXAMPLE 3 A special warning vibration precedes the presentation of critical information on a tactile or haptic
display.
6.1.3 Guidance related to timely presentation of information
6.1.3.1 Information should be presented at a pace that suits the user.
NOTE The appropriate pace depends on the modality, the user's needs (e.g. a screen reader user can be able
to receive audio text at a much faster rate than a user not dependent on screen reading), and the content (e.g.
entertainment versus legal text).
6.1.3.2 The pacing of information presentation should be under user control.
EXAMPLE 1 The user controls scrolling on a page and transitions between pages of visual information.
EXAMPLE 2 The user is able to pause and restart the presentation of auditory information.
EXAMPLE 3 The user has an interactive user-interface element for advancing information on a Braille display.
6.1.3.3 The user should be able to have information repeated.
EXAMPLE 1 The user is able to go back to a previous page of visual information.
EXAMPLE 2 The user is able to replay the last section of auditory information.
EXAMPLE 3 The user is able to replay the last sentence presented on a Braille display.
6.1.3.4 The system response time for presenting information should be suitable for meeting user
expectations and the needs of the task.
NOTE Data on response times has been published by various authors. Based on their research, they have
recommended time limits of 0,1 s for navigational steps (without data processing), 1 s for dialogue steps (including
data processing) and 10 s for dialogue steps that conclude a task, e.g. where a flight ticket is being generated by the
[18]
system.
6.1.3.5 The sequence of presentation of information should take into account the logical flow and priority
and importance of the information that is being presented.
6.1.3.6 Information that is less important should not interfere with the presentation of important
information.
6.1.3.7 For each user input, the system should give an immediate response.
NOTE 1 While the timing of the response cannot be influenced by connectivity delays, it is important that this
response be generated by the system within 0,1 s.
NOTE 2 The minimum response is to acknowledge that the input has been entered. It is recognized that this type of
response can precede other more complex responses.

ISO 9241-112:2025(en)
EXAMPLE 1 Information entered into a field on a visual display appears as soon as it is received by the system.
EXAMPLE 2 An audio sound is presented by the system when information is received from the user.
EXAMPLE 3 A particular vibration pattern is presented when information is received from the user by the system.
6.1.3.8 The system should indicate when it is busy.
NOTE It is helpful for this indication to include an estimate of the amount of time that the system will remain
busy, where such an estimate is possible.
EXAMPLE 1 The system visually displays an hourglass to indicate that it is currently busy.
EXAMPLE 2 The system produces a low-volume timer beep tone to indicate that it is currently busy. The interval
between the beeps decreases as the remaining time decreases.
EXAMPLE 3 The system produces a low-intensity vibration to indicate that it is currently busy. The frequency of
the vibration increases as the estimated remaining time decreases.
6.1.4 Guidance related to making user-interface elements detectable by the user
6.1.4.1 The most frequent and critical user-interface elements should always be presented to the user.
6.1.4.2 User-interface elements that are only occasionally used and are also not associated with time-
critical activities may be hidden as long as the user is aware of this and is provided with a means of easily
accessing them when necessary.
EXAMPLE 1 User-interface elements not currently needed are removed from the visual display, but can be returned
via a single control action.
EXAMPLE 2 Menu items not currently needed are not listed in an audio menu, which also contains an option for
presenting additional menu items.
6.1.4.3 The user should have access to information on what actions are possible.
6.1.4.4 User-interface elements that an individual is not allowed to use should be hidden for the interface
for that user.
NOTE This can be done based on various types of information, including a user's current role, permissions, and
profile.
EXAMPLE 1 User-interface elements used only by administrators are not visually displayed to regular users.
EXAMPLE 2 User-interface elements used only by administrators are not provided in an auditory menu to
regular users.
EXAMPLE 3 States corresponding to different actions that are only used by administrators cannot be entered by
users of tactile devices.
6.1.4.5 User-interface elements should be designed in such a way that they are detectable.
6.1.5 Guidance related to using continuity to aid detectability
6.1.5.1 Where only part of a set of information is presented or where some of the information is partially
hidden, the system should make the user aware that more information is available and describe how to
access it.
EXAMPLE A scroll bar on a visual display indicates that there is more information than what is currently being
displayed.
6.1.5.2 The system should make the user aware of the end of a set of information.

ISO 9241-112:2025(en)
6.2 Discriminability
6.2.1 Principle of discriminability
Presented information is discriminable if:
a) the information is presented such that discrete items or groups of items can be accurately differentiated;
b) the items of information are presented in a manner that supports their association with or differentiation
from other items or groups of items.
Discriminability involves guidance related to:
1) structuring;
2) presentation attributes;
3) (Gestalt law of) proximity;
4) (Gestalt law of) similarity.
6.2.2 Guidance related to the structuring of presented information
6.2.2.1 Information should be structured in a consistent manner according to the semantic approach that
best suits its use.
NOTE ISO 14915-2:2003, 5.2.1 identifies a set of semantic approaches to structuring of information.
6.2.2.2 Different semantic approaches may be used to structure different levels of information.
EXAMPLE 1 The two-dimensional nature of visual displays makes it possible to use two different semantics at
the same time for structuring in the X and Y dimensions (e.g. in a graph the X dimension is used for time and the Y
dimension is used for distance).
EXAMPLE 2 Auditory coding can involve using volume for encoding one semantic (e.g. strength) and using
frequency for another semantic (e.g. time).
EXAMPLE 3 In tactile user interfaces, surface textures can represent one semantic (e.g. type of terrain on a map),
while distances can represent another semantic.
6.2.2.3 In addition to the structuring of information on a single display, structuring should also involve
linking of information between different presentations on a single display (e.g. different Web pages) and
between multiple display devices.
6.2.3 Guidance related to using presentation attributes
6.2.3.1 Items of information with different intent should be presented using different presentation
attributes to make their differences obvious.
NOTE 1 This recommendation follows the principle of consistency.
NOTE 2 Attributes of presentation can include locations, visual shapes, sizes, hue, lightness, saturation, orientation,
patterns, spacings, arrangements, typefaces, etc.; auditory order of presentation, volumes, tones, frequencies, etc.;
tactile locations, shapes, vibrations, pressures, etc.
6.2.3.2 There should be more than one means of encoding properties of information.
NOTE 1 It is inappropriate to use colour as the only means of visually coding properties of information because
some people cannot distinguish between colours.
...