Product design must be inclusive to be effective. Read how we’re using standards to help make products and systems gender responsive.
In August 2022, UL Standards & Engagement signed the Declaration for Gender-Responsive Standards and Standards Development from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, underscoring its commitment to publishing gender-responsive standards and achieving greater gender balance, representation, and inclusion in its standards development process. The UNECE Declaration aims to provide “a practical framework for standards bodies seeking to make the standards they develop, and the standards development process they follow, gender responsive.”
According to the 2022 guidance document, Gender Responsive Standards, published jointly by the International Electrotechnical Commission and the International Organization for Standardization, “Gender responsive standards are developed with consideration of how gender impacts the content, requirements, and application of standards. They ensure that both women’s and men’s needs, experiences, and concerns are an integral dimension in the design and performance of the product, process, or service undergoing standardization. In sum, a gender responsive standard is a standard that reflects an understanding of physical differences and gender roles, and equally addresses the needs of women and men.”
These differences could include criteria such as body fat percentage, peripheral vision, sensitivity to sound, pain tolerance, hormones, and various strength characteristics such as upper-body strength and grip strength.
The ULSE Gender Action Plan
As a next step in its commitment to the UNECE Declaration, ULSE launched its Gender Action Plan and pledged to track its progress through collecting and sharing data, success stories and good practices. The Main pillars of the gender action plan are as follows:
• Increase gender diversity in our standards development process
• Improve understanding and technical applicability of standards requirements across genders
• Educate standards development professionals and stakeholders on the importance and impact of developing gender-responsive standards
• Create guidance for standards authors on the development of gender-responsive standards
ULSE is committed to being an inclusive and impactful organization. Be sure to look for more developments and updates as we work to ensure inclusiveness across our standards portfolio and expand our reach and influence by connecting with key stakeholders.
Fast Facts
A gender-responsive standard is one that “reflects an understanding of physical differences and gender roles, and equally addresses the needs of women and men.”
ULSE signed the UNECE Declaration for Gender-Responsive Standards and Standards Development in August 2022
Through its Gender Action Plan, ULSE is working track its progress through collecting and sharing data, success stories and good practices
