From a best-practices guide to a global standard: the ISO standard explained in plain legal language
Our partner, Clément Camion , helped draft the first ISO standard on plain language in legal texts. Here’s a look back at two years of work that has finally provided organizations with objective criteria.
In June 2023, Clément Camion found himself at the European Commission’s offices in Brussels, surrounded by the world’s leading experts in plain language. He had just been appointed as the Canadian expert to the ISO/TC 37 committee.
Clément before the European Commission
Two years later, his work paid off: the ISO 24495-2:2025 standard on plain language in legal texts was published in August 2025, first in English and then, a few weeks later, in French.
For the first time, experts from around the world have agreed on objective criteria to clarify legal communication.
When Quebec and Canada Join the Ranks of the "Rock Stars" of Plain Language
This adventure began with a phone call and a few emails sent to the Standards Council of Canada. A few weeks later, Clément was in Brussels for the kickoff of the project:
“I’ve met all the leading figures in plain language—the generation that championed this cause and whose articles I’ve read many times. I wrote a post back then saying, ‘I’ve met the giants—they’re nice, and you can even grab a beer with them!’”
Clément with Annetta Cheek, her husband Charles, and Nancy Smith
That moment of wonder quickly turned into an intellectual marathon. For several months, the editorial board met virtually every week or every two weeks, juggling the time zones of Norway, Canada, the United States, and Australia.
More than 1,000 comments to review: the challenge of reaching an international consensus
The process of creating an ISO standard is very demanding, and that is what makes it rigorous: each version of the document undergoes rounds of review by experts and member countries. The standard itself must adhere to very specific drafting requirements—requirements that are not exactly written in plain language, much to the chagrin of plain language experts. Throughout the process, every comment must be analyzed, discussed, and incorporated into the wording of the next version. If the committee rejects a comment, it must provide a reasoned response. Each version is then put to a vote for approval before moving on to the next version and a broader round of consultation. It’s a colossal task that has really put the team to the test.
“There were so many comments! We succeeded thanks to the strength of the group. We worked so closely together that we were happy to see each other again every time,” Clément points out.
It is this rigor that gives an ISO standard its value. The perspectives of many countries have come together to establish universal principles applicable to all languages and all legal systems.
From Craftsmanship to a Recognized Standard: The Impact of an ISO Standard
Plain language writing guides already exist in several organizations. So why invest so much effort in an ISO standard?
“A writing guide or best-practices document is a sign that an organization has chosen to prioritize clear language in its own strategies. But legally speaking, it doesn’t carry much weight in the hierarchy of standards. It’s simply a tool that’s been circulated. Whereas an ISO standard is a benchmark agreed upon by experts worldwide, who have determined that this is the minimum requirement to qualify in a given field. The ISO standard validates the importance of plain language in the legal world,” explains Clément.
This international recognition has a tangible impact: it makes clear language essential in the legal field.
In particular, the ISO standard helps interpret the plain language requirements that are set forth in fairly general terms in laws and regulations—whether in the context of public administration, consumer contracts, or specific financial documents.
Who is the ISO 24495-2 standard intended for?
ISO 24495-2 is not mandatory—it is a voluntary standard. No organization is authorized to certify that a document or an organization complies with the ISO standard on plain language (work is currently underway on this issue).
Nevertheless, this standard serves as an essential reference for many types of organizations.
“Any organization that either has an obligation or a strategic vision to communicate in plain language with its users or customers should take an interest in this. At the very least, they should share the standard with their in-house copyediting team, their translation team... and, I hope, their legal team,” Clément concludes.
Interest is particularly high among organizations that have regulatory obligations to communicate in plain language:
Consumer Adhesion Contracts (Civil Code of Québec)
Securities Prospectus
Insurance Contracts
Administrative Forms
Until now, these requirements have existed in law, but without a definition of what a “plain language” document actually is. Case law is virtually silent on the subject. The ISO standard fills this gap.
An essential supplement to the general standard
ISO 24495-2 cannot be read on its own. It supplements ISO 24495-1:2023, which establishes the fundamental principles of plain language for all types of communication.
Since this standard complements the first plain language standard, it is recommended that you read both, as they are complementary. Several principles in the first standard are also applicable to legal communications.
Part 2 adds legal considerations such as:
How to balance legal precision with clarity
How to Adapt the Principles to Different Types of Legal Documents
How to test clarity with end users.
Next step: back to Brussels
Clément's work does not end with the publication of the standard. In late October, he will return to Brussels to present the committee's work at a three-day conference organized jointly by Clarity, Plain, and the European Parliament.
Upon his return, he hopes to continue his outreach efforts to raise awareness of the standard among organizations in Quebec and across Canada.
Conclusion
After two years of hard work involving experts from dozens of countries, the first global ISO standard on plain language in legal texts is now available in English and French.
For organizations in Quebec and across Canada that are grappling with clear communication requirements or simply want to improve their customers' experience, this standard finally provides objective criteria and an internationally validated methodology.
Plain language in law is no longer just an optional concept. It is now a globally recognized standard.
Further Reading
Does your organization have any legal documents that would benefit from being simplified in accordance with this new international standard?
Contact En clair to discuss this: info@enclair.ca
The ISO 24495-2:2025 standard is available through Standards Canada or directly from the ISO website.
To stay informed, follow En clair on LinkedIn.
Brussels, headquarters of the European Commission
