scope:

This part of ISO/IEC 11581 provides guidance for developers and designers creating and/or using icons and provides a basis for the standardization of icons. It also provides a framework for creating future International Standards dealing with icons as parts of the ISO/IEC 11581 series and for identifying icon-related information to be used in any accompanying icon registries. It is intended to be used with ISO/IEC 11581-40 to create a registry of icons.

This part of ISO/IEC 11581 recognizes that icons are more than just symbols used on computer screens. Icons are interaction objects used by computer interfaces to accomplish various purposes. Icons can be rendered in various forms, including graphics, audio, tactile/haptic, or any combination thereof. This versatility in rendition can provide greater accessibility to their underlying functionalities.