Human Factors

Introduction

Human Factors is the scientific application of knowledge about the capacities and limitations of users with the aim of making products, systems, services and environments safe, efficient and easy to use.

The growing complexity of telecommunications services and equipment makes the human element more and more important. Human Factors is a key factor for the commercial success of any telecommunications product or service.

The European Commission's i2010 initiative aims to promote wider access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT).  This is achieved by removing any barriers due to the technology itself and ensuring that the estimated 30% to 40% of the population who do not currently fully benefit from the information society are given the opportunity to do so. ETSI is helping to achieve this objective in technical committee Human Factors (HF) by producing ETSI Guides and recommendations to promote e-accessibility.

Accessibility can be promoted:

• Design for All approach where products are designed to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for specialized adaptation;
• Security and personalising the way users connect with products, for example, are critical in achieving eInclusion and eAccessibility. The goal is to enter a new era of ICT where services and devices can be personalised to meet the needs of every user, even when those needs may be different from those of the majority.
   

Download the Human Factors Technology Leaflet

Our Role & Activities

ETSI is a leading force in developing standards that concentrate on the human element. ETSI technical committee Human Factors (HF) has a special responsibility to ensure that the needs of all users, including those who are older, younger or disabled, are considered.

The HF committee cooperates with other groups within ETSI and outside to assist them to produce standards, or other deliverables, which are in accordance with good Human Factors practice.

ETSI HF has representatives from research bodies, manufacturers, service providers, users and consumers. It provides specifications on user interfaces for the following work areas:

• Internet
• Mobile communications
• Multimedia and Videotelephony
• Network management
• Numbering, and user identification.

ETSI HF supports the aims of the European Commission to permit universal access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by producing the necessary standards on how to accommodate the needs of the disabled and the growing numbers of older and younger users.

ETSI has been a contributor to standards that enable 'An Information Society for All'. ETSI HF expertise has supported the work of the European Commission initiatives to bring technology closer to the user's needs.

Standards

The following is a list of recently published and frequently downloaded standards. Please use the ETSI Work Programme to find further related standards.