DIN 8581 – the standard for plain German language

Why DIN 8581 is needed

The international ISO standard for plain language defines four central principles: content must be relevant, findable, understandable and usable. These principles apply universally – but they say nothing about how to construct a German sentence, which words to avoid or how to test understandability in German. This is exactly where DIN 8581 picks up.

DIN 8581 delivers what DIN ISO 24495-1 deliberately leaves open: language-specific requirements that apply only to the German language. Words, sentences, grammar, stylistic devices and typical readability hurdles in German are addressed concretely. The standard serves as a bridge between the general principles of the ISO and the daily writing work of German authors.

DIN 8581 requirements for words

DIN 8581 sets clear requirements for the words authors should use in plain German texts. The central recommendations for words:

• ✓ Use familiar words: Preference for generally known words used in everyday life. Technical terms only where they are established for the target audience.
• ✓ Prefer short words: Long compound words are broken down or hyphenated when unavoidable – a particular concern in German with its tendency to long compounds.
• ✓ Concrete rather than abstract words: Words like "decision", "application" or "appointment" instead of abstract terms like "process", "matter" or "measure".
• ✓ Consistent word choice: Always use the same words for the same concepts – DIN 8581 rejects elegant variation in favour of readability.
• ✓ Foreign words and abbreviations: Foreign words are replaced with German equivalents or explained. Abbreviations are written out at first mention in the text.

DIN 8581 requirements for sentences

For sentences, DIN 8581 delivers German-specific requirements that target the typical readability problems of the German language. Nested sentences, nominalisations and passive constructions are classic hurdles in German – the standard addresses them systematically:

• ✓ Short sentences: Sentences should generally not exceed 15 to 20 words. Very long sentences are split into several shorter ones.
• ✓ Active verbs: Active rather than passive voice; finite verbs rather than nominalised constructions ("decide" instead of "make a decision").
• ✓ Clear sentence structure: Subject, verb and object are placed close together. Nested clauses are avoided.
• ✓ One statement per sentence: Sentences ideally contain one central statement. Multiple statements are split across multiple sentences.
• ✓ Positive phrasing: Double negatives and negative constructions are avoided because they impede comprehension.

Requirements for content and text structure

Beyond words and sentences, DIN 8581 also governs the structure of entire texts and the organisation of content in documents. Understandability is not only created at sentence level but also through a clear overall structure that supports the reader in grasping information:

• ✓ Most important first: The central information appears at the beginning of texts and sections – the inverted pyramid principle is a core requirement of the standard.
• ✓ Meaningful headings: Headings describe the content of the following section and support findability of relevant information.
• ✓ Short paragraphs: Paragraphs contain a single thought and are no longer than necessary. Generous white space aids orientation.
• ✓ Lists and tables: Bullet points and tabular content are used instead of running text where this increases readability.
• ✓ Reader perspective: Texts are written from the reader's perspective, not from the author's or organisation's point of view.

DIN 8581 compared to other standards

DIN 8581 fits neatly into the existing landscape of standards on understandable communication. Its position is that of a German application standard that complements other standards rather than replacing them:

• ✓ DIN 8581 vs. DIN ISO 24495-1: The ISO standard delivers the international principles, DIN 8581 the language-specific requirements for German. Both standards are used together – the ISO as methodological foundation, DIN 8581 as German implementation.
• ✓ DIN 8581 vs. Plain language: Plain language is the concept; DIN 8581 is the standard behind it. Anyone wanting to implement plain language in a binding way now has, with DIN 8581, a concrete reference with clear requirements for the German application.
• ✓ DIN 8581 vs. Easy-to-read language / DIN SPEC 33429: Easy-to-read language under DIN SPEC 33429 targets A1 to A2 level for people with cognitive disabilities. DIN 8581 targets B1 level for the broad readership. Both complement each other – organisations can apply both simultaneously.
• ✓ DIN 8581 vs. WCAG 3.1.5: The WCAG success criterion 3.1.5 (Reading Level) at AAA level requires a supplementary simpler version when texts demand a higher reading level. DIN 8581 provides the German methodology for creating this simpler version in a standard-compliant way.

DIN 8581 in practice

DIN 8581 is universally applicable – wherever German texts and documents need to reach a broad target audience. In practice, five areas have established themselves as central application fields:

• ✓ Public administration: Official decisions, applications and information letters become more understandable for citizens through application of DIN 8581. The standard delivers the German requirements that implement EU-wide readability obligations.
• ✓ Insurance and banking: Insurance terms, contract clauses and product information are classic examples of opaque German. DIN 8581 provides concrete recommendations for authors on how to write content that is both legally precise and readable.
• ✓ Healthcare: Patient information, package leaflets and treatment guidelines benefit directly from the requirements of DIN 8581. Understandable words and sentences here decide treatment compliance and patient safety.
• ✓ E-commerce and consumer goods: Terms and conditions, withdrawal notices, privacy policies and product descriptions become more readable through application of the standard – with measurable effects on conversion and customer satisfaction.
• ✓ Education and NGOs: Information materials and counselling texts only reach their target audience if they are understandably formulated. DIN 8581 provides the methodological backbone for this in German.

DIN 8581 and digital accessibility

Plain language is a central component of digital accessibility. Anyone wanting to make a website accessible for everyone cannot stop at technical aspects – the linguistic understandability of German content is equally decisive. DIN 8581 delivers the standard-compliant German methodology for this.

In the context of the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) and the European Accessibility Act (EAA), DIN 8581 is not explicitly required – but it can serve as a methodological reference for fulfilling readability requirements. Anyone creating content and texts according to DIN 8581 automatically meets many of the WCAG requirements around understandability – particularly success criteria 3.1.3, 3.1.4 and 3.1.5.

For public bodies subject to BITV 2.0, DIN 8581 complements existing requirements for easy-to-read language. While easy-to-read language under DIN SPEC 33429 is mandatory for people with cognitive disabilities, DIN 8581 covers standard communication for the general German-speaking readership. This creates a continuous strategy for plain language across all target groups.

Implementing DIN 8581 in four phases

Introducing DIN 8581 in an organisation typically takes place in four phases. Each phase translates the requirements of the standard into concrete steps for authors and editorial teams:

• 1 Analysis phase: Existing texts are reviewed against the requirements of DIN 8581. Long sentences, abstract words and unclear structures are identified – as the starting point for revision.
• 2 Author training: Editors and subject matter experts are trained in the language-specific requirements of the standard. DIN 8581 becomes the shared reference for everyone who writes German content.
• 3 Text revision: Existing key content is systematically revised according to the requirements of DIN 8581 – starting with the most-read or legally most relevant documents.
• 4 Embedding: The requirements of DIN 8581 are anchored in editorial processes, style guides and quality assurance. Regular tests with real readers from the target audience ensure sustainable application.

The future significance of DIN 8581

DIN 8581 marks an important step in the development of plain German. For the first time, a German standard exists that defines the requirements for words, sentences and content concretely and bindingly – as a counterpart to the international DIN ISO 24495-1. Anyone wanting to implement plain language in German now finally has an operational reference.

For organisations, the standard means two things: a benchmark against which their own German communication can be measured, and a tool with which authors can systematically improve their texts. In combination with DIN ISO 24495-1 (principles) and DIN SPEC 33429 (easy-to-read language), a complete German body of standards for plain communication emerges – across all target groups and language levels.

Frequently asked questions about DIN 8581