28 Jan EN 17210: Updates within accessibility legislation

A new European standard, EN 17210, has been introduced to enhance the accessibility of public buildings and spaces across Europe.

This standard is part of the broader framework of accessibility legislation aimed at ensuring inclusive environments for all individuals, including those with disabilities.

EN 17210 applies to all CENELEC members, encompassing national standards bodies and electrotechnical committees across the continent, including the United Kingdom.

The European Union mandates that all publicly funded developments must adhere to accessibility requirements, with EN 17210 serving as the benchmark for compliance.

Addressing the Needs of Individuals with Hearing Loss

The standard provides guidance for public procurers, architects, engineers, facility managers, and others involved in the design and management of public spaces.
It outlines minimum requirements for hearing enhancement systems, which may include:

• Direct wire systems

• Inductive loops

• Infrared systems

• Radio frequency systems

• Wi-Fi systems
  

Specific recommendations include:

• Installation of hearing enhancement systems in rooms and spaces used for meetings, lectures, classes, performances, spectator sports, or films

• Provision of such systems at service or reception counters

• Clear signage indicating the presence of systems like induction loops

• Incorporation of inductive couplers and volume controls in public or visitor payphones and entry phones

• Identification of telephones suitable for hearing aid users with the appropriate ‘T-switch’ symbol

• Equipping retail transaction points with inductive hearing systems

• Ensuring induction loops comply with the technical specifications outlined in EN 60118-4
  

The standard also emphasises the importance of suitable hearing enhancement systems in noisy environments, recommending the use of intercom systems, appropriate acoustics, sound absorption, and regular maintenance to ensure continuous accessibility for individuals with hearing loss.

For a comprehensive understanding of the standard, the full document is available from the British Standards Institution (BSI).
Additionally, a summarised version can be downloaded in PDF format: EN17210 – 2021 Accessibility and Usability of the Built Environment.

This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen accessibility legislation, ensuring that public spaces are designed and maintained to accommodate the diverse needs of all users.

The full Standard is available from the BSI.  This information has been shared with BSI’s permission.

We summarise the document in the following PDF, available for download: EN17210 – 2021 Accessibility and Usability of the Built Environment