Barrierfree Building and Product Design

Irrespective of age, capability, disability or social standing, all of us, as human beings, as partners in society, have the same right to

• equal opportunity,
• self-determination and
• independence

that is to lead a life as free as possible, free from any form of discrimination, in our chosen surroundings.

In the industrialised countries, increasing life expectancy, coupled with a drop in the birth rate, is leading to a shift in the demographic structure of society, to a sharp rise in the proportion of older people in the population. This demographic development involves both social and economic aspects. Architects, town planners and designers must take due account of both aspects in their work. The criteria of barrier-free building and living specified in DIN Standards have proved a reliable foundation on which such considerations may fruitfully be based.

Major goals of the standards target improvements in the field of public buildings and personal environment, in private and public transport, in leisure and travel, in product and communication design at all levels, as well as in engineering and applied technology. These aims also include the enhancement of training and further education programmes and the improvement of workplaces for the disabled as a means of ensuring equal rights and duties for all.

Products or services that meet barrier-free criteria are awarded the certification mark DIN Barrier-free as proof of conformity.

The mark, which is awarded subsequent to assessment and certification by DIN CERTCO, the certification company of TÜV Rheinland, combines the world-renowned collective mark DIN with the criterion "barrier-free". It has already gained high standing. The concept "barrier-free" is defined in standards and is applied world-wide.

For assessment and evaluation purposes, DIN CERTCO draws on the resources of scientific institutes, user organisations, and on acknowledged experts for architecture, urban planning, and design.

A life "without barriers" is an acknowledged goal of our society. The creation of a community in which no-one feels discriminated against requires us to devise an environment and infrastructure that provide all sections of society - including the young, the disabled, the elderly, and the sick - with equal opportunities to lead an independent life on equal footing.

Barrier-free design is comprehensive in its approach: public spaces, roads, buildings, dwellings, workplaces, equipment and appliances - all these and more fall within its scope. Achieving barrier-free design quality for the products of daily life in the kitchen, the bathroom, at work and at play, is a challenge for engineers and designers.

Freedom from discrimination - a constitutional right - will only be achieved when all buildings and products meet the fundamental criteria of barrier-free design.

• Exploit the expertise of DIN in standardisation.
• Exploit the expertise of DIN CERTCO in conformity assessment.
• We shall be happy to provide you with all the information you may need.

By means of assessment, evaluation and certification with the mark DIN Barrier-free, DIN CERTCO opens a gateway to an environment in which forethought has made life easier for people of all ages.