Overview
IEC TS 62666:2010 - "Guidelines for the inclusion of documentation aspects in product standards" - is an IEC Technical Specification that provides practical guidance for adding consistent, fit-for-purpose documentation requirements into IEC product and system publications. Intended as a complement to product publications, it helps standards developers specify what information, documents and graphical symbols should accompany a product throughout its lifecycle. As a TS (technical specification) it documents recommended practice and may be revised or elevated to an International Standard.
Key topics and requirements
The specification covers the following technical topics and requirements related to documentation aspects in product standards:
- Terms and definitions - clear definitions for information, data, document, document kind, documentation, data element type, identifier, etc., to ensure consistent usage across product publications.
- Information requirements - what information is needed to support correct and safe product use, transfer of knowledge from supplier to user, and lifecycle management.
- Documentation requirements - structuring, identification and classification of documents and document sets; specifying document kinds and their intended purpose.
- Graphical symbols - guidance on referencing graphical symbols in product standards (note: IEC 62648 covers symbols used on equipment).
- Characteristic properties and data element types - specifying data elements and their representation for interoperability and clarity.
- Documentation generated by tools - addressing requirements for documentation produced by CAx and other tools.
- Templates and examples - two informative annexes provide example clauses for complex systems and simple consumer products to help technical committees include documentation clauses consistently.
Practical applications and users
IEC TS 62666 is useful for:
- Standards developers and product committee secretaries who must include documentation clauses in product publications.
- Technical authors, technical writers and information managers tasked with defining document sets and content requirements.
- Manufacturers, suppliers and compliance engineers who need to understand documentation expectations for product delivery, commissioning and user safety.
- System integrators and procurement teams who rely on standardized documentation to manage lifecycle, maintenance and interoperability.
Practical uses include drafting normative documentation clauses in product standards, defining document kinds and identifiers, specifying required graphical symbols and ensuring documentation supports safe installation, operation and maintenance.
Related standards
Keywords: IEC TS 62666:2010, documentation aspects in product standards, documentation requirements, graphical symbols, data element types, document kinds, product publication.