Assistive products for persons with disability - Classification and terminology - ISO 9999, fifth edition, 2011.

This International Standard establishes a classification of assistive products, especially produced or generally available, for persons with disability. The classification consists of three hierarchical levels and each of the codes consist of three pairs of digits. Like other classifications codes, titles, explanatory notes, inclusions, exclusions and cross-references are given for each level of the classification.

Inclusions and exclusions

Assistive products used by a person with disability, but which require the assistance of another person for their operation, are included in the classification. The following items are specifically excluded:

  • Items used for the installation of assistive products;
  • Solutions obtained by combinations of assistive products that are individually classified in ISO 9999:2011;
  • Medicines;
  • Assistive products and instruments used exclusively by healthcare professionals; non-technical solutions, such as personal assistance, guide dogs or lip-reading;
  • Implanted devices;
  • Financial support.

In 2003, ISO 9999, © of the International Organization for Standardization, was accepted as a related member of the World Health Organization Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC). The WHO-FIC is comprised of international classifications for relevant sectors of the health system. ISO 9999 makes use of the terminology and definitions of the ICF.

Proposals for changes or additions to this International Standard, both in respect of existing and proposed new classes/subclasses/divisions, which take into account the given rules for classification, may be submitted to a national member body of ISO with an accompanying explanation for the proposal.

The fifth edition of ISO 9999 is available in English and French and can be ordered from the national ISO member bodies: http://www.iso.org