Overview
ISO 22259:2019 - Conference systems - Equipment - Requirements - defines functional and performance requirements for typical conference systems and their component equipment. It covers both wired and wireless solutions and the ancillary devices used in meetings (microphones, headphones, sound reinforcement, interpreting equipment, etc.). The standard is intended to ensure interoperability and optimum performance in normal operation and provides a common technical baseline for comparing, specifying and assessing conference systems. ISO 22259:2019 also forms the technical backbone for ISO 20108 and ISO 20109.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard addresses a wide range of technical topics relevant to conference audio, control and distribution systems, including:
- Audio characteristics
- Latency, frequency response, distortion, noise and hum, sound pressure level and level consistency
- System input/output behavior and interference considerations
- Discussion systems
- Required elements of discussion units, microphone management, routing and processing
- Individual listening systems
- Earclip, in-ear, over-ear headphones and induction loop requirements for assisted hearing
- Sound reinforcement and interpreting
- Requirements for PA/speech reinforcement, interpreting systems and language distribution
- Systems integration and auxiliary subsystems
- Voting, camera, display, identification/sign-in, conference control, recording/archiving, webcasting and teleconferencing
- Metadata, diagnostics and interoperability
- Metadata handling, diagnostics and modes for combining rooms, split rooms and distant connections
- Markings, accessibility and confidentiality
- Usability, accessibility and required markings/symbols for safe, inclusive operation
- Annexes
- Informative guidance on meeting and hall setups (Annex A), routing modes, mounting modes and camera/display advice; normative microphone management (Annex D)
Practical applications - who uses ISO 22259:2019
ISO 22259 is useful for multiple stakeholders involved in conferencing and AV systems:
- AV system designers and integrators specifying equipment and room layouts
- Manufacturers developing microphones, discussion units, headphones, interpreters’ consoles and control systems
- Venue operators and event planners ensuring system quality, accessibility and interoperability
- Procurement teams comparing and verifying supplier offerings against standardized requirements
- Interpreters, accessibility specialists and technical operators validating language distribution, assisted listening and confidentiality needs
Related standards
ISO 22259:2019 is a practical reference for delivering reliable, interoperable and accessible conference systems across corporate boardrooms, courtrooms, parliaments, conference centers and hybrid meeting environments.
