Overview
CEN ISO/TR 9241-311:2023 (ISO/TR 9241-311:2022) is a technical report in the ISO 9241 family that provides guidance on the specification and selection of LCD screens for visual display workstations in indoor locations. It applies ISO 9241-307 requirements (section 5.2) specifically to liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and is intended to support managerial decision-makers involved in procurement and occupational safety.
Key topics and technical coverage
This report focuses on practical, ergonomics-oriented aspects of LCD screens used at workstations. Major topics covered include:
- Terms and definitions relevant to electronic visual displays (aligned with ISO 9241-302): artificial vs. reality information, design viewing direction, design screen illuminance.
- Screen characteristics that affect visual ergonomics: luminance, luminance balance, luminance contrast, image polarity (positive/negative), character format and coding (colour, luminance, blink, geometrical).
- Image quality issues: colour non-uniformity, contrast non-uniformity, visual artefacts such as Moiré, and unintended depth effects (e.g., spectrally extreme colour combinations).
- Classification, profiles and screen selection: guidance for classifying displays and selecting appropriate screen profiles (Profiles No. 1–4) to match tasks, viewing conditions and user needs.
- Relation to test and assessment approaches in the ISO 9241-30x modular series (requirements, optical test methods, field assessment, analysis and compliance).
Practical applications and users
This report is primarily aimed at stakeholders responsible for acquiring and specifying workstation displays:
- Procurement officers drafting technical specifications for LCD monitors.
- Occupational safety & health professionals and companies’ safety committees assessing display suitability for tasks and environments.
- Facility managers and ergonomists performing workplace assessments or setting procurement policies.
- IT and AV teams selecting screens for control rooms, office stations, medical displays or other indoor visual-display environments where LCDs are the typical technology.
Practical uses include writing tender specifications, comparing candidate displays against ergonomics criteria, supporting risk assessments for visual fatigue, and informing workplace layout and lighting decisions.
Related standards
- ISO 9241-307:2008 - Analysis and compliance test methods for electronic visual displays (referenced directly).
- ISO 9241-302 - Terminology for electronic visual displays (used for definitions).
- Other parts of the ISO 9241-30x family: ISO 9241-300, -303, -304, -305, -306 (requirements, test methods, field and lab assessments) - for broader measurement and compliance guidance.
Keywords: ISO/TR 9241-311, CEN ISO/TR 9241-311:2023, LCD screens, visual display workstations, ergonomics, screen selection, luminance, contrast, colour non-uniformity, visual artefacts, procurement, occupational safety.
