Standards that make it easier to read and access e-books

In our increasingly connected, mobile world, many people use multiple devices, such as mobile phones tablets and laptops, which have become the new means for reading newspapers and books.

To protect the copyright publishers control the amount of opying, pasting and printing of their e-books via so-called Digital rights management (DRM). Depending on the DRM, it’s possible to read the same e-book on different devices.

Availability across platforms

A while ago there was a descrease in e-book sales because users were unable to access them across multiple reader platforms. However, IEC and ISO developed a new standard that will enable consumers and publishers alike to benefit from the availability of cross-platform DRM technology.

Accessibility to e-books

But what about readers with impaired vision or if you require a screen reader? Accessing an e-book will only be possible if it has been created with considerations for coding standards for e-book layouts.

Additionally, publishers must adhere to regulations, such as the European Accessibility Act, which will come into force in 2025 and require e-book publishers within the European Union to produce accessible versions of all e-book products.

Helping the visually impaired

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2,2 billion people worldwide face some kind of vision challenges, so the consumer demand for such books is already impressive. 

IEC and ISO have published a new standard which addresses how to create EPUB publications that are accessible to the widest possible group of readers.