ISO 29993-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 29993:2017 — Learning services outside formal education — Service requirements. Defines generic service requirements for learning services delivered outside formal education (lifelong learning, vocational training, in‑company training), covering interactive delivery modes (face‑to‑face, IT‑mediated, blended) and applying to learning service providers and sponsors procuring services.

Abstract

ISO 29993:2017 specifies the minimum service requirements that learning service providers (LSPs) should meet to enable informed decision‑making by learners and sponsors, to design and deliver learning services with defined learning goals and measurable outcomes, and to evaluate those services. The standard focuses on the learner lifecycle (information, programming, delivery, assessment, monitoring) and is intended for non‑formal learning contexts; it can also be used as a reflective tool by formal education providers.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed).
• Publication date: August 2017 (Edition 1).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: Education and training — ICS 03.180 (learning/education services).
• Edition / version: 1 (2017), confirmed in 2023.
• Number of pages: 10 pages (international edition).

Scope

ISO 29993:2017 applies to learning services outside formal education including lifelong learning, vocational training and in‑company training (whether outsourced or provided in‑house). It addresses services offered to learners directly and to sponsors acquiring services on learners' behalf; it excludes formal school, college and university systems as part of formal education, though those organisations may use the standard for self‑evaluation. The standard applies only to the learning services element where the provider also delivers non‑learning products or services.

Key topics and requirements

• Provision of clear, accessible general information to learners and sponsors (identity, contact details, scope of services, costs, methods, prerequisites, expected outcomes).
• Proposal/programme development and needs analysis to ensure services match learner or sponsor requirements.
• Service design: defined learning objectives and measurable outcomes, selection of delivery methods and resources, qualification profile for facilitators.
• Information to learners before and after enrolment (programme details, assessment methods, terms and conditions).
• Service delivery requirements (staff competence, learning materials, learning environment, accessibility and learner interaction).
• Assessment of learning and evaluation of service effectiveness; monitoring and continuous improvement of learning services.
• Documentation and records related to the service (e.g., evidencing outcomes, payments, certificates where applicable).

Typical use and users

Primary users are private and public learning service providers (LSPs) offering non‑formal learning: corporate training departments, private training organisations, professional development providers, continuing education providers, and e‑learning vendors. Sponsors (employers, commissioning organisations) and quality managers use the standard to set, compare or evaluate service provision. Certification bodies and consultants may reference the standard when assessing service quality and conformance.

Related standards

ISO 29993 is part of the family of standards addressing learning and educational services. It follows and separates service requirements that were previously combined in ISO 29990:2010 (now withdrawn), and complements ISO 21001 (management systems for educational organizations). National adoptions and identical national standards (e.g., DIN adoption) and regional equivalents exist in several countries.

Keywords

learning services, non‑formal education, lifelong learning, vocational training, learning service provider, service requirements, programme design, assessment, learner information.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 29993:2017 specifies service requirements for learning services outside formal education — a concise international standard that sets out what information, design and delivery elements a learning service provider should provide to ensure clear learning goals and measurable outcomes.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the learner lifecycle: information to prospective learners/sponsors, programming and proposals, needs analysis, service design, delivery (staff, materials, environment), assessment of learning outcomes, and monitoring/evaluation of the service. It focuses on service quality rather than management system certification requirements.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Learning service providers (private trainers, corporate learning departments, continuing professional development providers), sponsors who commission training, quality or programme managers, and consultants working on learning service design and evaluation.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2017 edition (Edition 1) is published and was formally reviewed/confirmed in 2023, so it remains the current ISO edition of ISO 29993. It replaced/clarified aspects previously covered by ISO 29990:2010 (which was withdrawn as part of the transition to separate service and management standards).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the ISO education/learning standards landscape: closely related to ISO 29990 (previous combined standard) and complementary to ISO 21001 (educational organizations management systems). National bodies have produced identical/adopted versions for local use.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Learning services outside formal education, LSP, lifelong learning, vocational training, service requirements, programme design, assessment, monitoring, learner information.