International Organization for Standardization releases part 3 of the standard for Plain Language

On May 12th, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released Part 3 of its plain language standard, which is focused on science writing. By making science information clearer for all readers, the standard benefits those who create science information and the public who reads it. It comes in a sequence of different parts to help professionals work on Plain Language in their services and communication.

About the Plain Language ISO standard

The International Plain Language Federation initiated a project to create a plain language standard through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Plain language experts decided to do the standard through ISO for two reasons:

• the credibility of ISO, with a network of 174 national standards bodies and more than 22,500 standards
• the credibility of being developed with input and support from many plain language experts around the world

A plain language standard provides a clear understanding of what plain language is and how you can achieve it. It also helps governments to communicate clearly with its citizens and entrepreneurs. The third part of the standard focuses on science writing, after earlier having released standards for Governing principles and guidelines, and legal communication. You can read more about the standard in an article we published in 2025.

New standard for science writing

The recently published third part of the standard is focused on science writing. It helps both authors as the public reading scientific texts:

• For science authors, the standard will help them transfer their knowledge to wider audiences. It will help comprehension and accessibility of scientific information without sacrificing scientific accuracy.
• For the public, the standard will make it easier to find, understand and use scientific information. Research shows that communicating science in plain language helps people make better decisions based on evidence. In addition, accurate, clear scientific information can help combat misinformation

Gael Spivak, who chairs an International Plain Language Federation committee that supports implementing, adopting and localizing the ISO plain language standards, explains: “When you’re communicating science to the public, it’s essential to recognize that readers will have a wide range of backgrounds in science. Because of this, science authors need to adapt scientific language and knowledge so that they provide their intended readers with relevant information they can easily find, understand, and use.”

New parts of the ISO standard to be released

More parts of the standard are currently being developed. As the International Plain Language Federation states: “ISO is developing more parts to its plain language standard, including document design. It’s also developing a part that will enable an organization to certify that it “uses plain language systematically in its operations.””

There’s a lot more parts to come. Stay up to date with the development of the standard through the website of the International Plain Language Federation.