The National Institute of Industrial Advanced Science and Technology (AIST) announced on June 29, 2026, that the international standard ISO/IEC 24216-1:2026 concerning avatars has been published. The standard itself was published in May 2026 after deliberation at ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 35.
Avatars are a crucial interface for representing users in cyberspace such as the metaverse and XR. However, there have been no internationally standardized rules to systematically explain their functions and designs, making it difficult for users to understand the differences between services. Developers have also faced challenges in accurately communicating the features of their own services.
This standard defines five aspects of avatars: the definition of avatars, the classification of their design and function, the classification and evaluation of their physical reality, ethical and social considerations, and considerations for their use. This will enable the description of avatar characteristics and functions based on an internationally shared understanding.
This standard aims to make it easier for creators and content developers to develop with a focus on user experience quality and safety. Platform operators will be able to present avatar functions and quality using a common approach. This is expected to facilitate mutual understanding between services and international expansion. For users, the advantage is that they will be able to understand avatar characteristics in advance and choose a service that suits them better.
This standard is expected to contribute to the formation of a common international understanding of Japanese content culture, including anime-style avatars, in which Japan has a strong advantage. It is also expected to be used as a common platform to support the international expansion of content and services that utilize avatars, such as anime, games, the metaverse, and XR.
AIST has been running the “Domestic Committee for the International Standardization of Avatars” within the consortium “Augmented Experience Design Association (DAAX)”. Together with industry stakeholders and academics, AIST has drafted the standard and is leading its development by proposing it to ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 35 from Japan.
This article is an English translation of an original Japanese article, translated by the Mogura VR editorial team.
Reference
https://www.aist.go.jp/aist_j/press_release/pr2026/pr20260629/pr20260629.html
