Various Single Market Directives require manufacturers to design their products ergonomically. Since the New Approach has assigned the task of supplementing basic safety and health requirements to standardization, European standardization must define the principles of ergonomic design.

The task of ergonomics is to develop fundamental rules for adapting work to suit the worker. This is how ergonomics is understood in the German Occupational Health and Safety Act and included in work organisation.

At the request of the ergonomic standards committee DIN/FNErg, KAN is preparing a system of classifying standards relating to ergonomics.

Interview with Mr. W. Schultetus, Chairman of DIN/FNErg

The majority of standards on screen work are prepared at international level in ISO/TC 159 „Ergonomics“. The standards and draft standards in the ISO 9241 series „Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals“ are particularly important.

Interview with Mr. Wilfried Coenen, Head of the Prevention Division, HVBG

EC law requires a high level of safety for products traded in the European single market. This defined objective is realised with the general safety requirements of the EC Single Market Directives for the products specified in the area of application and supplemented by the corresponding harmonised European standards.

One of the main tasks of the Commission for Occupational Health, Safety and Standardization (KAN) is to assist German occupational health and safety representatives active in European and international standardization.