An overview of consumer ergonomics in the United Kingdom

Consumer ergonomics has emerged as one of the mainstream areas of ergonomics research and application. This paper discusses the background to this development and provides a framework for the three special issues of Applied Ergonomics devoted to this topic. The main aspects of current consumer ergonomics research, for example the fields of application, available techniques and relevant criteria, are reviewed by drawing on papers from this special series and other complementary published work. Some criticisms are made relating to the failure to achieve the systematic application of ergonomics in the design process, and a series of recommendations is made as to how the contribution of ergonomics could be made more effective. Finally, the future of consumer ergonomics in considered in the light of three major trends - the increased complexity of products, changes in social climate and forthcoming changes in consumer legislation.