Overview
EN ISO 5457:1999/A1:2010 (ISO 5457:1999/Amd 1:2010) is a CEN-endorsed amendment to the international standard on technical product documentation that specifies the sizes and layout of drawing sheets. This amendment updates normative references, clarifies title block placement and permitted sheet orientations, and adjusts figure/table references for A-series formats. It is published in English, French and German and adopted by CEN national bodies.
Key topics and requirements
- Sheet sizes and figures: Figure 1 title is updated to “Sizes A4 to A0,” and Table 1 entry for A4 refers to figures “1 and 2.”
- Title block location and reading direction:
- For sizes A0 to A3 the title block is located in the bottom right-hand corner of the drawing space.
- Only horizontally positioned sheets are permitted for A0–A3.
- For A4, sheets may be horizontal or vertical; the title block is situated in the bottom part of the drawing space.
- The direction of reading of drawings is aligned with the direction of the title block.
- Normative references: The amendment replaces the normative references text and explicitly lists essential referenced standards (e.g., ISO 216, ISO 7200, ISO 3098-0, ISO 9958-1, ISO 9961).
- Reference correction: A cross-reference is corrected from ISO 3098-1 to ISO 3098-0 (lettering general requirements).
Practical applications
- Creates consistent drawing sheet templates for CAD systems and manual drafting.
- Ensures uniform title block placement for document control, readability and machine processing (printing, scanning, archival).
- Guides print shops and reprographic services on permitted sheet orientations and layout expectations for A-series formats.
- Supports quality management and technical documentation practices where standardized layout reduces errors and streamlines exchange between organizations.
Who should use this standard
- Mechanical, civil and architectural drafters and engineers
- CAD administrators and template designers
- Technical illustrators and documentation authors
- Quality managers, document control teams and print/reprographic services
- Standards committees and technical editors preparing or harmonizing drawing documentation
Related standards
- ISO 216 - A and B paper sizes (A-series)
- ISO 7200 - Data fields in title blocks and document headers
- ISO 3098-0 - Lettering - General requirements
- ISO 9958-1 - Draughting film with polyester base
- ISO 9961 - Natural tracing paper
Keywords: EN ISO 5457, ISO 5457:1999/Amd 1:2010, drawing sheet sizes, layout of drawing sheets, technical product documentation, title block, A-series formats, ISO 7200.