JTCA tries to set various standards for safety information and instructions to enhance the quality of user experience.
Current Projects of Standardization
JTCA has developed a variety of rules and standards and clarified criteria and work procedures in an effort to raise the quality of product information and improve efficiency. This has benefited people who access and use product information in various ways, such as by improving safety and expediting the learning process. The fact that these activities are spearheaded by the association makes it possible to pool the experience and knowledge of diverse professionals in a manner that transcends individual corporate and organizational demarcations.
Formulating International Standards for Product Information
The JTCA established an internal working group in November 2005 in order to draft a proposal for a consumer products version of IEC 62079, a standard for preparation of instructions. In May 2006 the proposal was submitted to the government’s IEC/TC3/Documentation Subcommittee. It was then submitted to the IEC after being modified to incorporate the opinions of various organizations. Discussions on the proposal began at IEC headquarters in January 2008 and it was decided that instead of simply creating IEC 62079 Part 2 for consumer products the standard would be entirely revamped and a second edition established. The JTCA will continue participating in standardization initiatives in partnership with the EC, Japanese Standards Association and other related organizations.
Standardization of Connection Instructions for Digital Broadcasting Receivers
Currently, people who buy televisions, recorders, tuners, antennas and other devices with digital broadcasting receivers often become confused about how to connect the devices and set the initial settings, so there is strong demand for easy-to-understand instructions that help people operate such devices accurately and safely. As broadcasting has diversified, more channels have become available, and more households have come to receive digital broadcasting via cable television, connecting receivers have grown complex, and it is becoming more and more difficult for any single company to provide adequate information. There is a need to formulate standard industry instructions that make it possible for everyone to correctly hook up these devices to receive digital broadcasting ahead of the full switchover to digital television in 2011. The JTCA has begun to address this issue by forming a project team in August 2008.
Formulating Guidelines for Proofreading Marks and Comments with PDF Proofreading
At a technical training seminar held in July entitled " Effective Use of Tool Functions: Fully Stabilizing Proofreading Quality and Raising Proofreading Efficiency," a majority of participants agreed to the idea of promoting the formulation of guidelines on the use of electronic proofreading tools. Prompted by this, a project team was assembled in August and its first meeting was held in November. The team plans to establish a set of guidelines to serve as a standard for people involved in producing product information. The guidelines will cover proofreading marks and comment methods for electronic proofreading using the check and comment function of Adobe Acrobat (or Adobe Reader).
Creation of Dictionary for Electronic Text Proofreading Tools to Avoid Excessive Comments
At a technical training seminar held in July entitled "Effective Use of Tool Functions: Fully Stabilizing Proofreading Quality and Raising Proofreading Efficiency," a majority of participants agreed to the idea of promoting the formulation of guidelines on the use of electronic proofreading tools. Prompted by this, a project team was assembled in August and its first meeting was held in November. Many members of this team also serve on the PDF Electronic Proofreading Working Group, so activities will be initiated on a full-fledged basis in February 2009. The team plans to develop a standard dictionary for Japanese text (including words written in alphanumeric characters, etc.) to help prevent excessive proofreading comments. The dictionary will make it easier to utilize existing tools for indicating grammatical errors, inconsistent expressions, discrepancies in terminology and inappropriate expressions in the production of product information. The working group will proceed with a view to announcing the dictionary by the end of 2009.